Re: Conospermum huegelii

Hi Ellen, The Conospermum are proteaceaes plants and would require similar conditions to Banksias and their South African relatives.  Our climate is characterised by wet mild winters and hot dry summers with very low humidity and generally poor soils (very old). The Conospermum are native to the Darling ranges and inland areas where extremes would be more evident and frost could prevail in some areas. They occur in 250-900 mm rainfall regions with mean max/min temps ranging from 23/10 degrees C.  They prefer well drained sandy soils with a pH in the range of 4.5-5.5.  I do not think drip irrigation would be a problem but humidity could be depending on your area of California.  An alkaline soil would definitely be difficult, they are unlikely to be tolerant of unfavourable soil conditions.   Like most proteaceaes plant, they are extremely sensitive to phosphorus (this would include residuals from previously fertilised areas)  As with our other natives they should be kept moist during the autumn/ winter period until well established.  I have found our natives very sensitive to drying out when grown from cultivated plants. I have no personal experience with these particular plants, so this is the best I can do.  Perhaps someone with more intimate knowledge of or native species can add more. I am endeavouring to find more information on the distribution of this particular plant and will let you know.
Karen Roberts
Perth Hills
Western Australia
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index