The National Desk has released more photos of the California superbloom (near Santa Margarita). Check the link here https://thenationaldesk.com/news/from-the-desk/gallery/california-superbloom-bursts-to-life-after-record-breaking-rain-levels-historic-rainfall-explosion-of-color-santa-margarita-san-luis-obispo-county-goldfields-tidy-tips-baby-blue-eyes-lupine-california-poppies?photo=1
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#32
General Discussion / Re: Oxalis versicolor?
December 30, 2022, 11:21:10 AM
Thank you, Robert. One of the bulbs was growing at ground level, and another with the puff of foliage/flowers about 1.5" off the ground.
I do already have the O. sp. from a BX a year or two ago. I only requested it (again) because the first time around, it wasn't identified as O. sp. Durango (just O. sp.). I wasn't sure if it was the same item, or not. It's all good; I got something I didn't have previously, I was just unsure about the petite size. I'm more used to Oxalis being a sprawling plant that usually blooms non-stop. While the pea gravel took care of the squirrel issue, I think it absorbed/radiated some extra heat when the weather got into the higher 90's. Things looked a bit crispy for a few days, then the plant adjusted, but never returned to blooming. I'll put it somewhere that is more partial shade next year and see if the plant gets bigger, or remains dainty.
Mike
Where the water in the lake must have gotten super-chilled from all the cold weather in December. After 2 days in the 50's, there is still a foot or so wide rim of ice along the shore. Lots of swans and Canada geese floating around out there.
I do already have the O. sp. from a BX a year or two ago. I only requested it (again) because the first time around, it wasn't identified as O. sp. Durango (just O. sp.). I wasn't sure if it was the same item, or not. It's all good; I got something I didn't have previously, I was just unsure about the petite size. I'm more used to Oxalis being a sprawling plant that usually blooms non-stop. While the pea gravel took care of the squirrel issue, I think it absorbed/radiated some extra heat when the weather got into the higher 90's. Things looked a bit crispy for a few days, then the plant adjusted, but never returned to blooming. I'll put it somewhere that is more partial shade next year and see if the plant gets bigger, or remains dainty.
Mike
Where the water in the lake must have gotten super-chilled from all the cold weather in December. After 2 days in the 50's, there is still a foot or so wide rim of ice along the shore. Lots of swans and Canada geese floating around out there.
#33
General Discussion / Oxalis versicolor?
December 29, 2022, 05:52:15 PM
I requested Oxalis sp. from BX481 (item 98 from Robert Parks). What I received isn't O. sp., I think it is probably O. versicolor RP 2 (item 101). The flower color and leaves are dead on, however the plants (and flowers) never got any bigger than Pearlwort (Sagina subulata). It's hard to tell from the pictures I can find on our Wiki, and Google searches, since there aren't really any that include something giving a sense of scale. Is that the normal size of O. versicolor, or is the RP 2 variant maybe a dwarf?
I suppose it could also have been from the inopportune attention of a fluffy-tailed rat (aka grey squirrel) that dug the bulbs up daily until I put 1/4" of pea gravel on top of the soil (although that was many weeks before the bulbs started to grow). Said squirrel eventually offed itself when it decided to eat 10-15 Hippeastrum striatum bulbs (leaves, roots, and strawberry-sized bulbs) for lunch one day.
Mike
Zone 6A region of the Finger Lakes - where the temperatures peaked in the low fifties today, after a week around 0 F.
I suppose it could also have been from the inopportune attention of a fluffy-tailed rat (aka grey squirrel) that dug the bulbs up daily until I put 1/4" of pea gravel on top of the soil (although that was many weeks before the bulbs started to grow). Said squirrel eventually offed itself when it decided to eat 10-15 Hippeastrum striatum bulbs (leaves, roots, and strawberry-sized bulbs) for lunch one day.
Mike
Zone 6A region of the Finger Lakes - where the temperatures peaked in the low fifties today, after a week around 0 F.
#34
Current Photographs / Re: First bloom crinums
August 02, 2022, 04:59:08 PM
Welcome to the forums, Mike!
Don't plant the bulbs too close to the lake. All of mine croaked within the first few years after planting outside. I figure the constant cold breeze during the winter certainly didn't help.
The flowers look great, Tim.
Mike
Don't plant the bulbs too close to the lake. All of mine croaked within the first few years after planting outside. I figure the constant cold breeze during the winter certainly didn't help.
The flowers look great, Tim.
Mike
#35
Current Photographs / Re: Is this Zephyranthes traubii ?
August 02, 2022, 04:49:12 PM
Rimmer,
Looks like Zephyranthes chlorosolen to me. Did you get it from Telos?
Mike
Looks like Zephyranthes chlorosolen to me. Did you get it from Telos?
Mike
#36
Current Photographs / Re: Some lilies blooming now
July 07, 2022, 10:27:39 AMQuote from: David Pilling on July 07, 2022, 07:35:00 AMToday the Dahlia bloom line passed through Blackpool on its way North...Imagines gardener-led conga lines passing South to North through citites to celebrate bloom lines...
#37
General Discussion / Re: Plants in the News
June 22, 2022, 02:41:23 PMQuote from: David Pilling on June 21, 2022, 06:56:59 AMMore than 30 plants stolen from floral displays in South Shields town centre - South Tyneside Council slams acts of vandalism
https://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/crime/more-than-30-plants-stolen-from-floral-displays-in-south-shields-town-centre-south-tyneside-council-slams-acts-of-vandalism-3736797
Were the plant roots nibbled off? Sounds like grey squirrel vandals.
#38
General Discussion / Re: Mirabilis jalapa Orange Crush Snapped Off Root
June 19, 2022, 07:00:50 AM
Judy,
Just out of curiosity, you're in zone 7, correct? I've been growing the Mirabilis jalapa for maybe 8 years (and Mirabilis longiflora for the last 2). The production of seeds is at stratospheric level, but I've never really bothered cleaning them up since I figured winter would take care of it for me. Previous to this year, the only time a seed survived the winter, and subsequently sprouted, was one that had managed to come to rest wedged into a small pocket surrounded on three sides by tree roots. The fourth (open) side got plugged up with leaves/twigs, and apparently, provided enough protection to keep the seed viable.
This year, I've got about six seedlings coming up within a few feet of where the pot spends the summer. There is a Jasminum × stephanense growing about sixteen inches from that spot, and this year it died back to the ground (usually only the distal tips die off). That's got me wondering whether it is duration of low temps, or just the lowest temp reached which (normally) kills off the seed.
Mike
Just out of curiosity, you're in zone 7, correct? I've been growing the Mirabilis jalapa for maybe 8 years (and Mirabilis longiflora for the last 2). The production of seeds is at stratospheric level, but I've never really bothered cleaning them up since I figured winter would take care of it for me. Previous to this year, the only time a seed survived the winter, and subsequently sprouted, was one that had managed to come to rest wedged into a small pocket surrounded on three sides by tree roots. The fourth (open) side got plugged up with leaves/twigs, and apparently, provided enough protection to keep the seed viable.
This year, I've got about six seedlings coming up within a few feet of where the pot spends the summer. There is a Jasminum × stephanense growing about sixteen inches from that spot, and this year it died back to the ground (usually only the distal tips die off). That's got me wondering whether it is duration of low temps, or just the lowest temp reached which (normally) kills off the seed.
Mike
#39
General Discussion / Re: Mirabilis jalapa Orange Crush Snapped Off Root
June 18, 2022, 06:49:37 AM
Guess I should have checked to see if you had also posted here (replied to list)...
Forgot to add that often the tuber will resprout if it is not too damaged. I make sure it has plenty of water, although I usually water off to one side to keep the broken off end from getting wet.
Mike
Forgot to add that often the tuber will resprout if it is not too damaged. I make sure it has plenty of water, although I usually water off to one side to keep the broken off end from getting wet.
Mike
#40
Mystery Bulbs / Re: What is this?
May 03, 2022, 11:52:25 AM
Looks more like a Habranthus robustus, Mark.
The flowers can be either white, or a light pink. Sometimes, they start out as one color, and then fade to the other after a few days.
The flowers can be either white, or a light pink. Sometimes, they start out as one color, and then fade to the other after a few days.
#41
General Discussion / Re: Germinating Sarracenia seeds
April 24, 2022, 03:55:35 PM
Hi Martin,
I am aware of the pure water requirement. I was planning on using distilled water. I have a jug around somewhere, but should probably get a fresh jug. The old one was opened a few times (to water a Venus Fly Trap) and then has been sitting around for three or so years. It probably has a nice crop of yeast or something growing in it by now.
I was thinking that having the insect trap leaves around during the winter would help keep the fungus gnats under control, but then read that the traps die off for the winter. Guess I'll have to keep trying to find a Pinguicula gigantea in stock somewhere. They're always out of stock when I find somewhere that sells them.
How do we add the quote to our profile (like your "Southern Germany, probably zone 7")?
Mike
In the Finger Lakes area of NYS, Zone 6A (Where it hit 81 degrees today, but most of next week will be in the 50's.)
I am aware of the pure water requirement. I was planning on using distilled water. I have a jug around somewhere, but should probably get a fresh jug. The old one was opened a few times (to water a Venus Fly Trap) and then has been sitting around for three or so years. It probably has a nice crop of yeast or something growing in it by now.
I was thinking that having the insect trap leaves around during the winter would help keep the fungus gnats under control, but then read that the traps die off for the winter. Guess I'll have to keep trying to find a Pinguicula gigantea in stock somewhere. They're always out of stock when I find somewhere that sells them.
How do we add the quote to our profile (like your "Southern Germany, probably zone 7")?
Mike
In the Finger Lakes area of NYS, Zone 6A (Where it hit 81 degrees today, but most of next week will be in the 50's.)
#42
General Discussion / Germinating Sarracenia seeds
April 24, 2022, 01:49:12 PM
I saw a listing for Sarracenia seeds and decided to try growing some, even though I have no previous experience with Sarracenia. The seeds are for Sarracenia 'New Hybrids' mix which is described as 'Hybrids of alata, flava, leucophylla, purpurea, and their hybrids.'
Online research indicates Sarracenia germination requires the seeds to be prechilled. Some sites suggest as little as 2 weeks, some state 8 weeks or more. The information supplied with the seed packet states 'For best germination, try 6 weeks prechill, then GA-3 and light.' I have tried Gibberellic Acid (GA-3) before, and was underwhelmed by it, so I'm planning on just the prechill. Should the 6 weeks be sufficient prechill, or should I maybe wait until this fall, so that I can prechill them all winter (in the unheated garage).
Since the resulting plants will be hybrids, do I need to worry about planting more than 1 seed per pot (i.e. - will hybrid vigor be an issue prior to plant maturity)?
Any experienced Sarracenia growers care to share tips?
The seeds should arrive Tuesday(ish). Fingers crossed.
Online research indicates Sarracenia germination requires the seeds to be prechilled. Some sites suggest as little as 2 weeks, some state 8 weeks or more. The information supplied with the seed packet states 'For best germination, try 6 weeks prechill, then GA-3 and light.' I have tried Gibberellic Acid (GA-3) before, and was underwhelmed by it, so I'm planning on just the prechill. Should the 6 weeks be sufficient prechill, or should I maybe wait until this fall, so that I can prechill them all winter (in the unheated garage).
Since the resulting plants will be hybrids, do I need to worry about planting more than 1 seed per pot (i.e. - will hybrid vigor be an issue prior to plant maturity)?
Any experienced Sarracenia growers care to share tips?
The seeds should arrive Tuesday(ish). Fingers crossed.