powers of survival
- To: Medit-plants <medit-plants@ucdavis.edu>
- Subject: powers of survival
- From: D* M*
- Date: Fri, 13 Aug 1999 11:05:34 +0200
August has cooled off a bit, and it seems that what's left of our new
Atriplex hedge (about 70%) might actually make it through to the Autumn.
I'm ever mindful of Dave Poole's advice back in April about thorough
watering to get the young plants up to size. The problem is that
watering facilities are very limited (lots of area, one hose, low
pressure). With July temperatures at 40 deg. C. several afternoons I'm
amazed so many have survived considering they still have no real root
structure. Also the planting was rough to say the least - A wham with
the sharp end of a pick-axe into the stony ground, plantling dropped in
and stamped into position. Only help for water retention is our dry
grass clipping mulch which serves as a "sponge" for irregular waterings.
The more I get into this Med. gardening thing the more humbled I am at
the powers of survival and adaptation of many of our native plants.
Damian Martin
Talavera, Central Spain
