>From: Dennis Kramb <dkramb@badbear.com>
>Reply-To: Pacific Bulb Society <pbs@lists.ibiblio.org>
>To: Pacific Bulb Society <pbs@lists.ibiblio.org>
>Subject: [pbs] Manfreda virginica
>Date: Fri, 22 Apr 2005 17:06:31 -0400
>
>I'm on the fringes of its native range, but I've thought it such an oddity
>that I've wanted to grow it ever since I first learned of this species. I
>think I obtained seeds through NEWFS, and I planted them in my regular
>garden bed where only a few germinated. One has survived but it languished
>amongst the weeds. Last year I prepared a rock garden and transferred it
>there. I watched it through the winter as it struggled to stay green,
>losing almost all its leaves. This spring it appears extremely robust with
>its leaves growing bigger & fatter than I've ever seen, and it has many
>pups forming around its base with equally robust growth. I think it
>appreciates its new home amongst the gravel & rocks, free from competition
>from weeds, growing in nearly full sun. Surely it will reward me with some
>blooms??
>
>Dennis in Cincinnati
Hi Dennis:
Manfredas are rather undemanding gentle things. Those of
viriginica I have grown over the years stood slight frosts (down to - 6C)
and long hot warm seasons equally well in well drained soils. They are
obviously dormant in winter although evergreen and vigorous new growth
starts in spring . Flowers are produced in summer foloowed by plump seed
pods. Joe Shaw (Conroe Joe) is a nice bulb friend and knows many of these
plants in the wild. I am sure he can provide info on its hardiness. My Texan
ones are grown in 5 gallon containers and remain evergreen. My Mexicans (and
one from Cuba) have no foliage in winter and are kept dry then.
Regards
Alberto
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