Re: AB: OYEZ

Jim Wilson wrote:

:  Yesterday I officially gave up on little OYEZ.  
:  He was planted in my best sun, raised a couple 
:  of inches above his surroundings and given
:  a nice sandy loam to grow in.  He seemed to
:  get through the winter ok and show some growth,
:  but April did him in.  This was my second try
:  with him.  

I'm sure that OYEZ must thrive somewhere, or he wouldn't still be around.  My
experience has been much the same, though, except that I've lost count of the
number of times I've tried.  I've found this to be not only one of the most
beautiful of the older arilbreds, but also one of the most finicky.   The only
ones that lived more than one year for me turned out to have been mislabeled. 

I don't know what happened there, but one of the problems we have here is
delayed winter damage.  Some that break dormancy too early are stopped in their
tracks by a hard freeze, but the damage isn't immediately obvious.  They just
seem to stop growing, even though they stay green for weeks.  Finally, they
start turning brown at the tips, the brown progresses downward, and  eventually
even the rhizome dries up.   

:  Should I concede that this is just not a place
:  suitable for plants of any aril persuasion?

Not unless you've had similar problems with all of the other types, and some
TBs, as well.  

:  Are there others that might have a significantly
:  better chance?  

OYEZ (White, 1938) originated in California.  Some of the ones bred in colder
climates, or from cold-climate lines,  would probably have a better chance. 

:  Are there any other measures
:  I could reasonably take, short of building a
:  roof over them and setting up a space heater?

They might do better in a more sheltered location.   Your  "best sun" spot may
be triggering growth too soon.  I have more problems with too-early growth in my
beds that are in full sun.  

Sharon McAllister (73372.1745@compuserve.com)
Southern New Mexico
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