Ribes malvaceum

---

Hello All:

I have a question about this CA native along the lines of the Leucadendrons.  We have this in our irrigation trials under 50% shade cloth.  This summer is their first in the ground, so we did some supplemental watering of all the plants in both shade and sun, which is our protocol.  Of 24 Ribes malvaceum, at least 10 bit the dust, sometime after an irrigation event.  I planted 4 extra plants in my front semi-shady area, and since they went in at a less than ideal time, I felt compelled to water them.  They all now appear dead, though I am letting them sit there until the fall rains begin.  Is this one of those CA natives that must be planted in the fall, allowed to establish, and then never receive supplemental water?  Must it be allowed to go summer dormant?  Strangely, some of the plants in the shade field look fine, though they could just be in pockets of soil without the offending organism, I suppose.

Your experiences with this will be helpful,

Karrie Reid