Massonia that's blooming

Leo A. Martin leo@possi.org
Wed, 08 Jan 2014 17:01:58 PST
Karl wrote

> ...our nights have been below freezing for the last month
> & I haven't seen anything to make me think that's going
> to change for several more weeks. Will it tolerate those
> kind of temps? Our days are quite nice being 55-65 ?F.

You don't say how low... I haven't grown M. sp. Vleesbei but I've grown an assortment of
other species, hybrids and unknowns. None, adults nor seedlings, has been damaged by
overnight temperatures into the mid teens F / -9 or -10C. It always gets well above
freezing here the next day. I will come out in the morning and the leaves will be frozen
like icicles or thin sheets of ice. I have to be careful not to fracture them. They thaw
out and act like nothing happened. Perhaps don't put all your plants out this winter but
try it with a few. I have learned from Massonia whose pots broke that they can be moved
easily while in active growth if a little care be taken.

And to all of you growing Massonia in 3/4 inch / 2cm diameter pots: Most of these are
large plants that look so much better in large containers or in the ground, if you have
space and the proper climate. Some species can make leaves as large as salad or dinner
plates. I use "1 gallon" US nursery containers for each bulb. The leaves grow far past
the rim.

Leo Martin
Phoenix Arizona USA




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