Re: anigozanthus culture

Julius & Beverly Elischer wrote:
> 
> 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.

Hi Beverly

Many thanks for this  very useful and interesting information, which
will be eagerly received by several others on the list (myself included)
as well as Irene.

I am intrigued that the fertilizers recommended have plenty of phosphate
in them. I had imagined they migh not like this very much, but perhaps
this element is naturally in better supply in West Australia than in
some other parts of country and so plants from there have  not developed
any aversion to it..
Perhaps it is time I gave mine a bit of a treat.

We are continuing to have odd weather. While we usually get plenty of
autumn rains. 
this April was almost completely dry and so far May looks little
different, so I don't know what chance myplants will have to make decent
Autumn growth this year..

Best wishes
Moira
-- 
Tony & Moira Ryan
Wainuiomata - at the Southern tip of North Island, NZ,
Lat 41°15'S, Long 174°58'E (Antipodes of Spain/Southern France)
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