Re: Michauxia tchihatchewii!
? Any other fans of this glorious species out there?
>
> --Susannah
Hi Susannah
I too am a fan of this unpronounceable plant. Seduced by the colour photo on
a Thompson and Morgan seed packet a couple of years ago I sowed seed in a
pot. They took forever to germinate but eventually I got a couple of
unlikely looking specimens. Planted them in the autumn to catch the winter
rains and establish themselves and they promptly disappeared. I thought that
was that, but they reappeared in the spring and grew to their full height of
about 7ft and flowered on the main stem and later on side shoots so we had
flowers for months.
A word of caution though. I have found them to not only have what looks like
poisonous latex in their stems, but as they go into seed they develop razor
sharp spikes all over. I went to a lot of trouble to collect seed, but it
was unnecessary because they have self seeded and we have a patch in the
same place every year. I am not sure whether they are monocarpic or
biennial, but of course it matters not.
Can't help I'm afraid with flower conditioning as I don't pick them.
A super new and easy care addition to our garden.
regards Janet b
Janet Blenkinship
Crete, Greece
What is this life if, full of care,
we have no time to stand and stare.
William henry Davies
