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RE: Xeronema callistemon (was: Palms & Problems & Solutions)

Tim Longville [SMTP:tim@eddy.u-net.com] wrote:

> A shift of subject to a problem of my own. I want to try to grow
> Xeronema callistemon, Poor Knight's Lily, from P.K. Island off the
> North Is of N.Z. My guru for growing Australasians in the UK says,
> Don't: you've no chance of success. No doubt he's right (he usually
> is) but it won't stop me trying. He says that in the UK the plant may
> survive, just, but it won't thrive and the only recorded flowerings
> have been either at Tresco in the Scillies or under glass (eg at Ness
> Botanic Garden after the long hot summer of 96). Reason? Though our
> milder west coast gardens may have virtually frost-free winters, they
> don't as a general rule have summers long enough or hot enough to
> induce free growth or subsequent flowering.

<snip>

> Second question: The Guru also says that X.c. isn't even grown
> successfully (at least not often) on SOUTH Is, NZ, for just the same
> reasons. Tim, Moira, tell me this isn't true?! And (subsidiary
> question) do you know any company in NZ offering seed of the brute?

This post was rather timely as just two days ago I saw a picture of 
Xeronema callistemon in a book and thought I should look up the details to 
see if I could grow it here. Once again, "The Cultivation of New Zealand 
Plants" by Lawrie Metcalf provided the bulk of the information I found. 
Here is what it says:

"Xeronema is a plant that demands perfect drainage and is quite intolerant 
of 'wet feet', although it will withstand liberal amounts of watering or 
rain, providing the roots are well-drained. One of the most successful 
methods of growing it is in a large container such as a concrete tub or 
even a drain-pipe. The lower third to half of the container should be 
filled with rubble or other suitable material for drainage. The balance 
should be filled with a fibrous and somewhat spongy mixture, with the 
Xeronema being planted right at the top so only a little space is left for 
watering. In time it will mound itself on its fibrous leaf remains and 
build up into quite a massive clump. Alternatively, it can be grown in a 
raised border that is well-drained or on a bank. The soil should have some 
compost or fibrous material worked into it. It is frost tender, and a sunny 
situation or one that perhaps receives some very light shade during the 
heat of the day is to be preferred. In cold areas it can be grown very well 
in a greenhouse and makes a rather attractive pot plant.

It is easily propagated by seed or division. Seedlings damp off very easily 
and, until well established, should be watered carefully. Plants should be 
divided only in the spring, at the commencement of the growing season. At 
other times there is a great danger of them rotting. It is suggested that 
applications of liquid fertiliser during the growing season may be of 
considerable benefit to it...

...Confined to the Poor Knights Islands and Hen Island, where it occurs on 
sunny rocks and other well-drained sites, usually facing the sea."

Apart from that, I found other references that indicate the minimum growing 
temperature should be 10?C and that good air flow is required around the 
foliage.

Interestingly enough, none of the books concerned mention the need for long 
hot summers. Given that its native range is on a few small coastal islands, 
around latitude 36?S, I doubt it would get long hot summers, with 
temperatures in the low 30's (Celsius) being about the limit, and mid to 
high 20's more the norm for the summer. Given the fact that it is frost 
tender, it would be very unlikely to be grown successfully outdoors in the 
majority of the South Island of New Zealand, but I can't say for certain. 
However, the sunlight in New Zealand is more intense than at equivalent 
latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere, with more ultraviolet. Perhaps that 
makes a difference to flowering? It certainly makes a difference to the 
amount of sunblock I have to wear when gardening! Here we are just 4 weeks 
from the official start of spring, and already I am having to use it on the 
back of my neck, face, nose and ears, even on cloudy days where the sun 
doesn't quite break through, like yesterday.

As far as seeds are concerned I cannot tell you who might have some, but I 
CAN give you the URL for a site that lists the addresses for a number of 
New Zealand mail order seed suppliers, amongst many other things.

http://www.gardens.co.nz/

A couple of the suppliers listed show e-mail addresses as well. It's a 
great site for anyone with time to spare.

If you do decide to try growing some Xeronema, Tim, and can get some seed, 
good luck. I'd like to try, but it will have to wait until we build our 
conservatory. It just gets too cold here.

Tim Dutton
"Raindrops", Main Road North, Kaitoke, Upper Hutt, New Zealand
(Latitude 41? 5' South, Longitude 175? 10' East)
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