Re: How to care for Senecio tamoides ?
- To: "medit-plants"
- Subject: Re: How to care for Senecio tamoides ?
- From: G* B*
- Date: Sat, 15 Jul 2000 09:58:14 +0200
>
>I grow Senecio tamoides up here in Oakland (already a bit cooler) quite
>successfully, from the base of an obnoxious Cotoneaster and into its
>canopy. The sloping, well drained clay soil gets very dry due to root
>competition from this big shrub, but the Senecio does not mind in the
>least. It is also in the shade until the top of the canopy, where the
>bright green leaves and yellow flowers (in fall) are starting to cover the
>top of the Cotoneaster. I also have a Passiflora in there giving a good
>fight as well.
>
>I've seen this grown well at the Bancroft Warden also (wlanu Creek,
>probably as hot as you are), along a fence, leafing and flowering at the
>top. I suspect this guy would like some shelter at the roots, ESPECIALLY
>in the hot eastern hills of the south Bay Area where you are. Is there
>some shade on an east or north facing fence that you can plant it in,
>allowing it to reach the sunnier parts after 'climbing' the fence? I say
>'climbing' because this one does nothing in the way of twining or tendrils
>as do most vines - it merely shoots up through something close-by (it
>presumes there is a shrub close at hand). The succulent, almost finger
>width stems can go for 6-10ft or more, almost leafless, until they pop out
>into sun and start the business of branching and leafing out.
Sean, you seem to have covered it pretty well as indicated by its native
habit.
This grows in the temperate rainforests along the Southern Cape central
coast. ie the Garden Route around Mossel Bay eastwards. These are real
dryland forests & at places at the coast may only get about 550mm of rain.
This is usually spread through the year with slight autumn & spring peaks,
but can have prolonged drought periods, especially in summer. I remember the
Senecio from here in the forest margins, with the roots in cooler, shaded
conditions as you suggest & the stems clambering over the shrubbery to carry
the flowers out into the light.
Additional summer watering would definitely be needed for good growth
Regards
Glenn Breayley. Ragnarok & Valhalla Research.
POBox 26158, Hout Bay, 7872, Capetown, South Africa
Ph/Fax SA 021 7904253 E-mail valhalla@iafrica.com
Wholesale nurseryman & Tillandsia specialist wholesale & retail grower.
