Re: Question (about Echiums)
Sean wrote:
>I am also a great fan of E. fastuosum, which is quite common here in
>the SF Bay Area. There are a variety of colors, from rich electric
>blues, lavender blues, purples, even pinky-violets.
{Snip}
>Does anyone have experience in rooting
>cuttings from this plant? I know people do it but I have yet to have
>much success.
I have an excellent almost, too-intense, violet blue form which I prop
from, cuttings. Here it grows in almost pure shingle with little or
no nutrients. It was given to me several years ago and I take
cuttings during late July every year. I find that the tips of
axillary shoots some 6" long root best. Half of the leaves are
removed and the remainder above a couple of inches long are reduced in
length by 50%. They are inserted in containers of 4" deep perlite,
with the water level just below that of the perlite. No extra water
is added and over the ensuing days, it drops gradually until no 'free'
water remains. By the time the perlite is almost dry and the cuttings
wilting slightly (usually after about 20 days), most have formed good
root systems and can be transferred to small pots containing 50/50
sharp sand, soil-less compost. Most flower within 18 months.
Until 5 years ago, I had an almost maroon form of E. wildprettii which
also has a purplish flush to the leaves and stems. I used to prop
this from cuttings too, but complacency caused me to forget and that
winter was particularly chilly and wet. All plants were lost.
Dave Poole
TORQUAY UK
