Re: Verdict in on Leucadendron death

South African Proteaceae from the W. Cape receive more summer water in
their native habitat than we get in California. Actually, all other
mediterranean regions get more summer water than California. It is
possible to kill young plants by keeping them too dry here in Oakland.
Most of the S. African Proteaceae also grow in very poor, very
fast-draining soils, and are not adapted to handle root rots at all.
Hot + Wet is dangerous for this reason, esp. without excellent
drainage.

That said, Leucadendrons are the most commonly planted Proteaceae in
the Bay Area by a wide margin, I'd always assumed because of their
relative vigor in addition to landscaping fads.

Best,
Max Withers
Oakland CA

On Thu, Aug 23, 2012 at 3:23 PM,  <kaktussy@cox.net> wrote:
> I think it's summer water- I've always heard to treat these like Aloes for the most part, which in the So CA landscape means little to no water at all from June - October. I lost a couple myself a few years back after giving them a good drink in mid-July. Seemed logical at the time, it was hot! :) Au contraire! Just my $.02 worth :)
> Mark in SD
>
> ---- Cheryl Renshaw <cheryl@wr-architect.com> wrote:
>> Now I'm curious...what do they think caused the root damage in the mature
>> plant?
>>
>> I've tried to grow a leucadendron twice in a hot, dry, partly shaded area at
>> my house in Santa Clara (south-west corner of the house next to the
>> driveway--lots of reflected heat--under a huge smokebush, and minimally
>> watered via dripline). Both plants croaked in full summer during the first
>> year after planting. I don't think my experience is extensive enough or
>> related enough to help with your problem, though maybe someday I'll have
>> room for one where I can keep it alive.
>>
>> Cheryl
>>
>> --------------
>> Cheryl Renshaw
>> Landscape Designer
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: medit-plants-request@ucdavis.edu
>> [m*@ucdavis.edu] On Behalf Of Nan Sterman
>> Sent: Thursday, August 23, 2012 10:28 AM
>> To: Mediterranean list
>> Subject: Verdict in on Leucadendron death
>>
>> I took samples of leaves, stems, roots, and soil from each of the dead
>> leucadendrons to our county plant pathology lab
>>
>> Their verdict is that both Leucadendrons died of root damage. One was mature
>> and the other newly planted. The one newly planted was also in soil whose
>> salt content was off-scale.  Interesting since it is barely a month
>> installed.  I've inquired with the contractor as to where he got the soil.
>>
>> Nan
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
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