Re: South African Ericas

Einionygarddwr@aol.com wrote:
> 
>     Does anyone out there have any useful information (preferably from
> experience, their own or other people's) on the minimum temperatures likely
> to be tolerated by these beauties?
>     I have E.canaliculata outdoors, and so far it has survived the lowest
> temp. of this winter, -3c. I'm told that it's one of the hardiest, if not the
> hardiest. I have since acquired a sizeable plant each of E.versicolor and
> E.viridescens, but feel loathe to plant them out, especially just now, if an
> unexpectedly vicious frost comes along. I might take cuttings later this
> year, and then experiment with said hopefully-rooted cuttings. And any info
> on best time/methods for cuttings also gratefully received.
>     
> 
Hi Einion 

Although our winter minimum is usually not below -3 C and we garden on a
very well-drained hillside, I have to admit no luck with most S A
Ericas, barring E canaliculata, which survived for may years until it
finally got so straggly it was removed during a reorganization. The only
other one which stayed with me more than a couple of seasons was E
cruenta, but this was nowhere near as good a stayer as canaliculata.
This was not for lack of trying. At different times I have  grown EE
baura, cerinthoides, mammosa, oatsii, regia and peziza and none has
stayed more than a couple of years. I don't think my growing technique
was at fault, as I definitely had much more success with these species
in gardens I tended in neighbouring Lower Hutt, which is right down near
the sea and warmer than us in winter by a couple of degrees, so it looks
as though  that -3 C may be a bit critical. Botanica rates most of this
group as zones 9-10 with only canaliculata extending to zone 8. 

Anyway I now confine my interest in Ericas to European species, which
grow fine for me and even very occasionally seed around.

I think if I were you, I would go a bit carefully about spending money
on any more until you see how the species you have already perform.  If
you do want to take cuttings as an insurance, my book says tip cuttings
in November in a peat-based compost at 18C.

As to seed. Like all Ericaceae the seed is very fine and I would goess
tricky to germinate. My book says sow in spring on the surface of a
peat/sand mix with slight heat. My guess is that a surface covering of
shredded sphagnum would help keep the mix moist and discourage things
like liverwort.

Moira

Moira

-- 
Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz>
Wainuiomata, New Zealand. (on the "Ring of Fire" in the SW Pacific).
Lat. 41:16S Long. 174:58E. Climate: Mediterranean/Temperate
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