Rhodophiala

Lee Poulsen wpoulsen@pacbell.net
Thu, 04 Aug 2011 12:34:17 PDT
On Aug 3, 2011, at 8:44 PM, Joshua Young wrote:

>   Does anyone here grow many species in this genus?  I've recently started
> growing a few species such as R. bagnoldii, pratensis, chilensis
> and phycelloides, I'm a bit nervous as I've heard they're a bit difficult to
> grow.  Does anyone have any advice as to how they grow theirs?  Currently I
> have mine in very deep pots towards the bottom.  I know many are found in
> very dry areas and some are from alpine regions.  Any advice would be
> greatly appreciated!
> 
>   I'd love to enlarge my collection, if anyone has any species they're
> willing to trade for other things you can contact me!   I'm really looking
> for the white form of bifida, 'grantiflora' and a few others.
> 
> Josh
> _______________________________________________

I grow a number of the Chilean Rhodophiala, as well as most of the Eastern South American types that Alberto Castillo has donated over the years, as well. I've found the Eastern types to be very easy to grow especially since they don't mind water or dryness during their summer dormancy nor do they mind my winter rainfall during their winter growth period. However, even though I live in a climate very similar to Chile's, I've had more trouble with the Chilean ones including the ones that come from a climate similar to California's. It seems not as many come back after their summer dormancy as went into it. In contrast, the Eastern types can be mistreated to a large degree and still insist on surviving.

--Lee Poulsen
Pasadena, California, USA - USDA Zone 10a
Latitude 34°N, Altitude 1150 ft/350 m 


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