Re: anigozanthus culture -Dormant plants
- Subject: Re: anigozanthus culture -Dormant plants
- From: C* d* W*
- Date: Sun, 21 Apr 2002 05:58:19 +0200
>From observation I can state that (in my garden at least) there are plants
that are dormant or water averse during summer. I am in Simonstown
(near Cape Town, close to Cape Point Nature reserve which is at the tip of
the Cape Peninsula)
I initially lost a few plants due overwatering in summer when I first
established my garden and have since created dormant areas which get
watered very rarely in summer - mainly when it is very hot with a constant
(and salty) South Easter blowing (which approximates severe drought
conditions I guess). These areas contain aloes and cotyledons (which both
get some water -provided by drip irrigation), proteas, ericas,
leucadendrons and pelargoniums, certain restios and, as a
groundcover, arctotis. These areas are heavily mulched and the plants show
absolutely no signs of growth in summer if left unattended
Arctotis particularly is much happier and more robust (and more attractive
since it flowers more profusely) when it is not watered during summer. It
forms a much denser growth, though much slower and seems to last longer
too. The leucadendrons and pelargoniums get very leggy and untidy should
they receive water in summer. The proteas show no difference and seem
indifferent whether they receive water or not as do the restios although
they do not receive much anyhow.The Erica's I have are extremely tough and
can do without water throughout so they would seem to be truly dormant.
The soil is, essentially, sand (hence very sharp drainage) with few
nutrients
We have had the first of the winter rains and my garden is starting to
stir and ready itself for some explosive growth. Now is an excellent time
to plant as the young plants have favourable conditions, and time, to
establish themselves before summer.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Barry Garcia" <barry_garcia@csumb.edu>
To: <medit-plants@ucdavis.edu>
Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2002 12:17 PM
Subject: Re: anigozanthus culture
valhalla@iafrica.com writes:
>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.
Well, perhaps (and this is just a guess) they tend to go into dormancy in
summer, which causes inactivity and suceptibility to rot? I know that
other plants have survival mechanisms that include a dormancy period.
A bit off, but interesting none the less, but a woman in Riverside in
California is apparently having success with Delonix regia. She apparently
didnt know that they just couldnt survive in California. But, it seems if
fall is dry enough (humidity and ground moisture wise) they go into a
dormancy stage which allows them to take a few more degrees frost than
they normally do (lower to mid 20's F). Riverside is apparently far enough
inland to be dry in late fall, but not far enough inland to get too cold.
