Re: anigozanthus culture
- Subject: Re: anigozanthus culture
- From: R* G*
- Date: Sun, 21 Apr 2002 14:39:57 -0700
I am only guessing on the rot question, but it may have something to do
with the fact that mycorrhizal associations in med climates are
disrupted by water when the soil temperatures are warm. When the
beneficial fungi die off, the roots are susceptible to attack by other
(ubiquitous) fungi (I am given to understand that the Cape flora as a
rule, do not form mycorrhizal associations and thus have other
mechanisms by which they resist fungal attacks).
Glenn Breayley wrote:
>Hi all
>
>I tried doing a line of these commercially at one stage. They are a
>beautiful line but fell out of favour because of their susceptability to ink
>spot fungus. I never spray, so if anything isn't tough enough to pull
>through by itself i've got no space for it.
>I remember the tall, yellow flowered A. flavidus as being a true perennial &
>the toughest of the lot. Does tend to look rather scrappy after a while
>though.
>The smaller varieties were especially susceptible to the fungus. A
>manglesii - which was a real eyecatcher - would only last me one season with
>summer watering. I think these really must be treated as real Med. seasonals
>with no summer watering at all. Allow them to die right off & rejuvenate
>with the autumn rains. The fungus doesn't seem to get a deadly grip that way
>& the rotting won't set in. Last Spring I saw a lovely show of these growing
>at the Gingin cemetery, northeast of Perth. Coming through very strong &
>clean & with no additional watering at all.
>Fertilizing I can't comment on, but would tend to compost & mulch well with
>no artificials.
>
>Whilst on this subject - can anyone explain the process whereby Med plants -
>such as the Anigozanthus & many of the pelargoniums - will be rotted off by
>watering in summer but can take any amount & thrive in winter ? Its a
>strange phenomenon.
>
>Regards
>
>Glenn Breayley. Ragnarok & Valhalla Research.
>POBox 26158, Hout Bay, 7872, Capetown, South Africa
>Ph/Fax SA 021 7904253 E-mail valhalla@iafrica.com
>Wholesale nurseryman & Tillandsia specialist wholesale & retail grower.
>
>
