Re: Fall Bloomers in New Zealand

Tim Dutton wrote:
> 
> David Feix asked:
> 
> Does Schizostylis coccinea get fungal disease of the
> foliage after several years in place in New Zealand?
> This is about the only problem with the plant here in
> the Bay Area, although I have been told by southern
> Californian friends that it doesn't do as well in
> hotter drier parts of LA, seems to prefer it on the
> cooler, wetter side.  With warm spells and full sun
> locations here, it can continue blooming through the
> winter.
> 
> I have been growing Schizostylis coccinea 'Viscountess Byng' for nearly 6
> years now in a damp and quite shady part of the garden (at the edge of a
> bog garden) without any problems. It is in flower at the moment, in the
> middle of spring (although a very cold one at the moment - just like
> winter).
> 

Hi Tim how ar'ya? long time no hear.

 Things go on much as usual with us, though the weeds seem to increase
in size and ferocity. One odd thing has happened here, despite the
dullness and dampness of last summer we have seen amost no snails this
spring. My Hostas and Reinga lilies look so good with their beautiful
leaves intact and without the usual ring of traps around them. I know
you don't havesnails in your garden and I wonder if we are heading for
the same blissful state (well, one can always hope)

As to Schisostylis coccinia. I have also had clumps of both red and pink
forms for a great many years and have never seen any leaf spot attack
them. A few of the clumps seem however to  have rather faded in recent
years, but I ascribe this to a very hot dry summer a couple of years
ago. They are planted just in the ordinary border without special access
to moisture)

What I have noticed is that those clumps naturalized by our river go on
from strength to strength. I have known them in the area for more than
40 yers and last autumn they were exceptionally fine. Interestingly the
prevalent form  now has improved both is size and depth of colour over
the ones originaly growing there. The flowers are in fact so unusually
fine and large I wonder if it might be  a natural polyploid. I secured a
shoot or two when I saw them in flower (as you know they don't have a
proper bulb) and after overwintering in a pot they were sturdy enough to
plant out, so I should be able to see in due course if they keep their
superior size and colour in my garden.
Cheers
Moira 
-- 
Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz>
Wainuiomata (near Wellington, capital city of New Zealand)
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