Getting through the first summer, an example

ConroeJoe@aol.com ConroeJoe@aol.com
Sun, 29 Feb 2004 11:54:44 PST
Hi,

2 years ago I had some Albuca seedlings, they started fine under lights, and 
did well when I first put them outdoors.  I also germinated various Protea 
species over the winter, just to see what would happen.

The Albuca seemed pitifully small and I didn't let them go dormant; I gave 
them bits of water over the summer--keeping them on the dry side.  I would add 
2-3 tablespoons of water to the pot every day or two.  They got a few hours of 
morning sun, but nothing after 11:00 a.m.  

Of course the Protea species nearly all died, they were a wonderful 
demonstration of how different this climate is from their native climate.  The Albuca 
started dying about mid- to late-July.  They clearly had fungal problems, but I 
was surprises as they got little water in the soil.  I concluded there was 
more water in the pumice at the bottom of the pot than I had realized.  

So, I'm thinking the best thing t do is grow them indoors where air 
conditioning modifies the temperature and reduces the humidity a bit.  I did look up 
relative humidity ratings and was not surprised to find Houston at the top of 
the list along with New Orleans, Omaha, and Orlando.  Houston even beat Orlando 
in nighttime relative humidity.  

I'm having great fun experimenting with these plants, but I wonder if the 
"first summer" problem happens for others growing summer dormant bulbs.  

LINK:  Relative Humidity of some American Cities 
http://www.cityrating.com/relativehumidity.asp 


Cordially, 

Joe, zone 9, we haven't had frost since Feb. 7 when it was 27 F.  


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