Behria tenuiflora (was: Re: What's blooming now)

Lee Poulsen wpoulsen@pacbell.net
Sun, 02 Oct 2011 21:13:28 PDT
On Oct 1, 2011, at 8:46 AM, Diana Chapman wrote:
> 
> Soon to come is Behria tenuiflora, in bud now.  When they open I will 
> post a picture.  I have started seed of this Mexican species several 
> times, but have never brought it to bloom.
> 

So Diana, are you willing to share your secrets of how you did this? I also, have started seeds of Behria tenuiflora in two different years from accessions from two different locations both times. But I haven't been able to get them to grow beyond the second full year of growth after the first year of sowing. They never seem to come back from dormancy for the third year of growth. (Except for two still small seedling-looking leaves…) In fact, I'm not even sure what growth cycle to try to get them to grow in. It seems they come out of dormancy and grow and bloom in response to hurricanes or tropical storms blowing through southern Baja California. These types of storms are at their peak in August and September which is also the warmest part of the year. I am uncertain as to whether they are dormant the remaining 10 months of the year.

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




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