Re: anigozanthus culture
- Subject: Re: anigozanthus culture
- From: J* &* B* E*
- Date: Tue, 07 May 2002 23:55:36 +0800
Dear Irene,
I have been waiting for an opportunity to speak to an expert on the
cultivation of Western Australian native plants, which occurred today.
Unfortunately due to family preoccupations in the meantime (visit from
San Francisco-based son, wife and baby) I had almost forgotten what I
intended to ask!
What I was able to ascertain was:
The taller varieties (from the south) will grow in clay, but those (e.g.
A. manglesii) from our sandy Perth area will not.
Summer water I forgot to ask about but should think not too much
especially in view of the tendency to suffer from rust.
Definitely you can and should fertilize them. He suggested either
slow-release granules, or organic fertiliser such as blood & bone or
similar. Apply the fertiliser about now (i.e., in the autumn, say
October/November where you are). They are pretty much dormant over the
summer so there is not much use fertilising then, I guess. West
Australian plants make their growth after the autumn rains. Very cold
winter temperatures may interfere with this and freezing rather than rot
would seem to be the danger.
I hope this is of help.
Beverly
Irene Kuffel wrote:
>
> Greetings,
>
> I was wondering if our southern hemisphere list-members can
> shed some light on the culture of anigozanthus, as I seem
> to get conflicting accounts from the books and plant labels
> over here. Some say little summer water, some say regular
> water.
>
> The Bush Gem hybrids seem more rugged and forgiving, but are
> a little short for my needs. The taller varieties are harder
> to find, and, sadly, easier to lose. I'm not sure if this is
> because they freeze or rot. I garden in Napa, California. The
> winters are wet (30-40", 100cm) and occasionally cold (perhaps
> 10 nights in the mid-20's F, or -5C). The summers are warm and
> dry, and occasionally hot (about 20 days above 85F). The plants
> are in average California garden soil i.e. mostly clay, slightly
> amended.
>
> Also, is it possible to get more generous growth and bloom by
> fertilizing? Or is this one of those plants who resent it?
> I haven't been feeding them, and they don't seem to multiply/grow
> as fast as many of my other happy plants. Perhaps this is because
> I've been paranoid about overwatering?
>
> Thanks,
>
> -- Irene Kuffel
>
> http://www.geocities.com/ikuffel/
--
Julius and Beverly Elischer
Nedlands, Western Australia
Ph. +61 8 9386 5244
