Re: Poor Knight's Lily

Trevor Nottle wrote:
> 
> Dear all,
> 
> Help please. Any experience with the Poor Knight's Lily - Xanthorea
> callistemon? I have a small plant in a pot, growing well but also
> lost one in identical circumstances. What do they need? How long
> until it flowers?

Hi Trevor

You had me foxed for a moment with "Xanthorea" before I suddenly
realized what you were actually talking about was Xeronema. (No native
Xanthorreas in NZ).

The Poor Knights Islands from which the plant takes its name are
situated of Northern NZ and I understand the plant there grows mainly on
sea stacks often washed over by spray and fed by seaweed debris and
seabird guano.

I was asked recently about the cultivation of this by someone in England
and amassed all sorts of informantion which I have filed away so
carefully I can't lay hands on it, so I will have to try and remember
everything. 

Its main requirements in cultivation are perfect drainage and warm,
preferably frost-free conditions. 

Many plants in NZ succeed in large, perfectly-drained containers in a
warm spot outside. However, it is also liable to sunburn and should
preferably be sited on an easterly rather than a westerly aspect in very
warm areas.

A very loose free-draining organic growing medium containing leafmould
seems to suit, and watering with a seaweed extract yearly in early
summer will help to stimulate flowering. Without my notes I cannot
remember how long this is likely to take, but I gather the seaweed
treatment is likely to shorten the wait, as is becoming somewhat pot
bound. I suppose in any case it would partly depend on whether your
plant is a seedling or division. Once flowering has started the seaweed
application is likely to ensure a regular yearly show in spring.

Shift into a larger container as necessary, but only in warm weather and
preferably do not divide. Cold, especially sudden cold, seems to be a
serious enemy to survival. However, plants in appropriate growing medium
survive best without coddling and are more likely to collapse in a
glasshouse than outside. They can take any amount of rain provided
drainage is perfect and the tough leaves do not mind wind. Do not let
debris lodge in the fans or pile mix against the leaves. In prolonged
dry weather they will need watering.

If you have very well-drained soil it is possible to grow a plant in the
ground successfully. I saw a beautiful one  about three years ago while
judging a garden competition. It was growing in a garden out on the warm
west coast  not far north of here and was a mass of flowers. The owner,
who had recently bought the house, was astonished to find it was
anything out of the ordinary (what a waste!!).

I think I have remembered the important points, but if I find those
notes shortly I will let you know of any other useful information.

Cheers

Moira.
-- 
Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz>
Wainuiomata, 
New Zealand (astride the "Ring of Fire" in the SW Pacific).
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