Fw: Chionanthus retusus (Chinese Fringe Tree)
- To: "Medit-Plants" <Medit-Plants@ucdavis.edu>
- Subject: Fw: Chionanthus retusus (Chinese Fringe Tree)
- From: D*
- Date: Tue, 3 Aug 1999 09:32:02 -0700
Diane Pertson
Otter Point Haven otterpt@macn.bc.ca
Nature Notes from Vancouver Island
http://zapbc.com/nature.htm at
Parksville & Qualicum Beach Online http://zapbc.com
----- Original Message -----
From: Diane <otterpt@macn.bc.ca>
To: Michael Barclay <opga@wenet.net>
Sent: Tuesday, August 03, 1999 9:19 AM
Subject: Re: Chionanthus retusus (Chinese Fringe Tree)
> Michael,
> The most common practice to make a mature rhododendron bloom is to
trim
> the roots. Often they produce an extensive surface root system in
very
> favourable soils, accompanied by not enough light to stimulate
flowerbud
> production. Drive a spade straight down into the soil around the
> complete circumference of the dripline of the the plant. Apparently
> this shocks it into thinking it might die and it reacts by trying to
> reproduce. This does work - I have done it and so have many other
rhodo
> growers here. You might also give it a sprinkling of super-phosphate
> around the dripline which promotes budset. Invariably, when a
> non-blooming rhodo is moved to a new location, it blooms the following
> years. The only other thing is giving it more light. Sometimes
> trimming a branch of a nearby tree is all it takes.
>
> Diane Pertson
> Otter Point Haven otterpt@macn.bc.ca
> Nature Notes from Vancouver Island
> http://zapbc.com/nature.htm at
> Parksville & Qualicum Beach Online http://zapbc.com
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Michael Barclay <opga@wenet.net>
> To: <otterpt@macn.bc.ca>
> Sent: Monday, August 02, 1999 10:12 PM
> Subject: Re: Chionanthus retusus (Chinese Fringe Tree)
>
>
> > >This is another tree not blooming for me. It is about 18 feet
tall,
> > >single trunk, not widely branching - and has never bloomed. It is
> > >probably in a drier location than it would like but doesn't show
lack
> of
> > >moisture. I have fertilized it with 20-20-20 seaweed fertilizer
the
> > >last few years as the first leaves late each spring for at least
the
> > >last 10 years have a white variegation on them (a virus?). Later
> leaves
> > >are solid green although it retains the variegated ones all season
as
> > >well. I was told it bloomed for the nursery the year before I
bought
> > >it - it was 6-7 feet tall at that time.
> > >Suggestions appreciated.
> > >
> > >Diane Pertson
> > >Otter Point Haven otterpt@macn.bc.ca
> > >Nature Notes from Vancouver Island
> > >http://zapbc.com/nature.htm at
> > >Parksville & Qualicum Beach Online http://zapbc.com
> >
> > Dear Diane, 1 Aug
> >
> > I grow retusus and virginica 10' apart and have for 12 years.
> >
> > They are unfortunatelyshaded by a larhe Michlia alba and a
> > Stewartia koreana (which does bloom fairly well. Neither
> > fringem tree has shown the slightest inclintion to bloom, nor
> > has the Rh. 'Moser's Maroon' 25 yearsold and huge.
> >
> > In So Cal retusus grows like a weed in full sun and dry
> > conditions and puts on a reasonable show. It is a lovely
> > treefor an urban woodland. If you ever find out how to make
> > it bloom other than seriously threatening its life I'd love to
> > know.
> >
> > Michael D. Barclay
> >
> >
> > Michael D. Barclay, Really Special Plants & Gardens, Kensington, CA
> > Cal Hort Council
> > opga@wenet.net Growing 2,000 species fifteen miles from the Golden
> Gate!
> >
> >
>
