Seeds, seeds, seeds!

Title: Seeds, seeds, seeds!
Dear Fellow-gardeners,                          09/07/00
I am sorry but a computer crash in early July caused the loss of our seed orders for seed (tested & germinated) of Xeronema callistemon, [Aspholdelaceae], "Poor Knights' Lily", a spectacular EV perennial, extremely drought tolerant from off the NZ's north coast.  Xeronema callistemon originates on two groups of Islands (Hens and Poor Knights) where it grows on rocks which are often inundated with ocean water.  Although now protected, we were lucky to grow two clones which bloomed after 3  yrs. in 1 gallon cans this past May.  We hand pollinated both plants, one whose flowers were crimson-scarlet and the other deep blood red.

We did a good job and are now ready to fill all orders including that of the Free University of Amsterdam.  Seeds are 3 for $ 5.00, 7 for $10.00 plus $4.00 shipping USA & Canada.  They have been cleaned and will be shipped safely in padded envelopes.  Shipping to other parts of the world will be $10.00-$12.00.  You may pay by international money order or by VISA or MasterCard.

                DESCRIPTION OF PLANT AND GERMINATING INSTRUCTIONS
Xeronema callistemon resembles a blue-grey TB Iris in fan form but under excellent conditions the succulent leaves may be 30" long, tough and rubbery, the inflorescences 42".  They bloom in "our" spring each cluster of fans producing 4-7 bloom stalks at 60 degrees with the bloom bent parallel to the earth.  Blooming lasted 4-6 weeks and the "flowers" are clusters of brilliant red stamens brushed with purple and gold pollen.  They are best grown outdoors in containers and protected from any frost from late autumn to early spring.  They can go weeks between waterings.  They build up a platform of stringy tough roots with the live roots on top...hence the need for perfect drainage.  Our adult plants are being grown in 1/2 leaf mould, 1/2 coarse sand and fed from spring to fall monthly with kelp meal.

Sow fresh seed in rapid draining cottage cheese cartons in a mixture of 1/3 leaf mold, 1/3 sand and 1/3 Mt. St. Helens yellow lava.  Keep evenly moist in 60% shade.  Ten seeds germinated irregularly over 24 days, some as early as 4 days.  Grow on to 2"-3" in height and then pot into 2.5" pots or tree pots.  They grow quite rapidly.  I would only try them in the ground in frost-free climates on slopes in shallow holes mounded with pumice and once they have made it through a winter I'd give two feedings of guano per year plus the kelp.
Since we were so lucky with our first crop I'll be planting out 15 small plants in a flow down my drought slope, spray with an anti-dessicant and protect from frost with plastic tents in the winter.  They are gorgeous in or out of bloom.

To order contact: MICHAEL BARCLAY
                           opga@wenet.net

Send payments or charge information to: Really Special Plants & Gardens
                                      400 Yale Avenue
                                              Kensington, CA 94708-1109
                                              USA
                                              FAX: 1-510-524-5999
Thank you very much indeed.
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