> >I have no idea how these behave in other climates, but under my
> >conditions many bulbs, and these two in particular, need to mature into
> >drought.
>
> I also have not been able to keep Ixiollirion in the garden. I thought
> perhaps it was winter wet that did it in, since I had it in a section that
> is not watered in summer, when it rarely rains here
Jim's advice about maturing into drought (basically dry a month before the
foliage dies down) rings true for me. I have had a tough time believing in
such drought being good. I think I still overwater most all bulbs that like (OK,
NEED) a dry dormancy. ( Often, loving them to death with water.) I'm not
sure how much drier Jane's springs are than mine (I'm around 100 miles
south of her)? My guess is we usually get too much spring rain for the semi
early blooming Ixiolirion. Growing among grasses and other plants that suck
up the spring moisture as soon as it falls might help?
Saturday, I saw great Ixiolirion blooming in pots at the Farmers market in
eugene. These were grown by Lou of the "Buggy Crazy" booth. He grows
many natives and the biggest lilium bulbs I have ever seen (soccer ball
wide). I think his farm is near Sweethome, OR. He grows things much drier
than i do. He claims he does not water any of his lilys. I'm trying to be more
like him every year. He does dig his Ixiolirion every year. My guess is he
grows em in pots and dumps the pots every summer or fall. I need to go see
his place sometime and try and see how dry I should be :-). At least some of
his plants are sold online by someone. I recently saw his business listed in
an article as a source. It may have been in the PBS newsletter or NARGS.
Kelly O'Neill Wet Rock Gardens Flower Farm
U-Pick and more at the farm (open 9 to 6,
Sun, Wed and Fri - from March thru Halloween):
2877 N 19th Street
Springfield, Oregon 97477 gardens@wetrock.com
http://www.wetrock.com/