Tecophilaea Cyanocrocus

AW awilson@avonia.com
Thu, 01 Sep 2011 14:25:57 PDT
Ina,

Tecophilea cyanocrocus is likely to be doubtful in your extremely mild
winter conditions. Nevertheless, if I lived in Auckland, I would certainly
try. There is another species, T. violiflora that comes from lower altitudes
and closer to the coast. It should certainly succeed for you. 

I am aware of at least one grower in Los Angeles who has done very well with
these bulbs. However, the region where they are grown is in the San Gabriel
Valley, which gets sharp frosts most winters even though the days are quite
warm, probably warmer than yours, at that time of year. These temperature
zones were set up for winter cold hardiness, which is not the issue here. I
think the daily range in temperature is more relevant and the one that might
be more difficult for your conditions to provide, particularly the cooler
nights. In spite of all this, the risk is worth it!

These bulbs really love lots of water in the cool growing season. In summer
they should be drier but you do not need to let them go totally dry. They do
very well in Ireland, where summer conditions are certainly not of the
mediterranean type! 

Andrew

 
What zoning will these little bulbs grow in?  Would my 9b-10 zoning be too
warm for them?  Do they need to be dry during dormancy?

Ina Crossley     Auckland New Zealand, where it is lovely spring weather 
at the moment and the Daffodils are looking wonderful.




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