On 19 Nov 03 at 18:20, Kenneth Hixson wrote:
> Hi, Rodger, now you've added to the puzzle.
> >As far as I'm concerned, this species is as tough as old boots and
> >reports of difficulty with it puzzle me.
> I thought Diane's suggestion of keeping it dry in summer must be
> the answer, because I hadn't done that. Jane's growing it with
> extreme drainage doesn't appear to be what you do in your garden.
> I've tried it in various spots, all with good if not extreme
> drainage, for instance in a pot above of a lily, edging the
> sidewalk by/under rhododendrons, and so on, and they last for a
> while if not flower heavily, then no more. Your climate should be
> similiar to mine, and the oxalis here were never put in full sun.
> So, do yours get dry in summer? Ken, western Oregon
The patch that's in heavyish soil is also very near a large Alberta
blue spruce, and the bed would be sucked dry in summer if I didn't
water it. The site is sunny enough in summer that a shade-loving
Athyrium ("Japanese painted fern") gets burnt unless I keep the soil
very moist -- which I don't do faithfully, being a lazy gardener.
Perhaps the fact that it's 10-15' north of my house and shaded in
winter helps? That would exaggerate the seasonal swing in
temperatures, also the diurnal swing in winter.
It might be worth noting that the established patch has the bulbs
just below soil level. Maybe the original poster planted hers too
deep in the pots?
--
Rodger Whitlock
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Maritime Zone 8, a cool Mediterranean climate
on beautiful Vancouver Island