Re: how to plant Leucadendron

Hello Ellen,
How much amending will be preferred will also depend
on the rate of existing drainage, and whether there
will be irrigation in summer or not.  The clay may
need very little amending if they are planted out on a
slope which improves drainage, and are not to be
heavily irrigated in summer within a mixed planting
that may require it.  They can take some irrigation in
a garden setting if they do not remain wet at the
roots, especially in combination with heat or
humidity.  If they are to be planted out in a flat
clay soil which doesn't drain well, test for drainage
by digging a standard pit, fill with water and see how
long it takes to drain, anything over 12 hours to
drain completely will need some help, and I would
recommend planting on a raised mound at least 12~18
inches tall.  Decomposed granite can work well if it
is coarse rather than fines as you would use for a
path.  Red lava rock, pumice or expanded shale also
work well, mixed with humus, perlite and native soil. 
If the garden setting has already had problems with
phytopthera fungus, then she may want to take extra
preventive measures in the locations she will be
planting out the Leucadendrons.  They are more
susceptible to dying in hotter inland locations with
warm wet soil conditions.  Mulching with inorganic
mulch can also help keep the soil cooler.

I'd also recommend drip irrigation over spray, and
limit watering to the cooler periods between heat
spells.  I'm not sure how hot Highland Park gets in
summer, if it is more coastal influenced, it shouldn't
be a problem.  She might also want to check the ph of
her soil and water, and may need to acidify the mix
occasionally if it is too alkaline or accumulates
salts because of local water quality.

In my experience, many of the hybrid Leucadendrons
sold here in California seem to be easier to grow than
Leucospermums and Proteas, and not all that fussy
about soil as long as they are given good drainage and
not overwatered in summer.


--- emhoffs <emhoffs@ucla.edu> wrote:
> My daughter is planting 20 Leucadendron.  She has
> done extensive research 
> about how to plant them in her clay soil, however
> everyone seems to have a 
> different answer.  Several people have told her to
> increase drainage by 
> planting in decomposed granite (DG) and native soil;
> others suggest that 
> she not amend; while some say to treat the plants
> like any other and amend 
> with pumice and planting mix.  She was favoring the
> DG method until she was 
> told that the DG would turn to cement in a year or
> two.
> 
> Please help.  My daugher lives near in Southern
> California in Highland Park.
> 
> Ellen Hoffs
> Santa Monica, CA
> 


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