Re: Crocosmia- Solfaterre

I believe we have hit on something now. I just went out and did the white paper test and nothing is falling on the paper. But, I also see that the leaves are recovering. some are damaged, other new foliage is good green. probably when there were purchased from the greenhouse and planted we brought the problem home with us. now that is hot and dry in the raised beds, the plant has had time to settle in and produce new foliage things are clearing up. One plant that JoAn has came from a friend's garden and it has almost no sign of damage. We will do some clean-up around the plants this evening when it cools down a bit.
    Do not give up on the Uvularia seeds. Usually takes two years to germination. They also usually do best in the soil as opposed to sterile medium in pots. Roots are not large on uvularia.. you could do a trade with someone here in the US.
    Thanks for the assistance on crocosmia,
    Gene Bush     Southern Indiana    Zone 6a     Munchkin Nursery
          around the woods - around the world
g*@otherside.com     http://www.munchkinnursery.com
----- Original Message -----
From: C*@aol.com
Subject: Crocosmia- Solfaterre

Gene
This extreme browning of foliage (solfaterre has bronzish foliage anyway)
seems to be caused by a form of red spider mite, I believe, after discussing
this with a Nurseryman who grows a number of different crocosmia. This seems
to occur whatever the conditions, moist or dry, inside glass or outside. It
might be worth cutting the foliage down this year to try and remove the
problem. It is less of a problem once the plants are in the soil, than when
they are in pots (mind you we are talking about S E England your conditions
may be significantly different).
I await with interest the article in NARGS as I enjoyed the one on
Uvularia's, even if I didn't manage to germinate them from seed this year!
Echinops Ritro were growing in huge clumps by the roadside in Crete ( been
back a week, hey ho) but the conditions they obviously enjoy is arid, hot,
dry conditions, perhaps you are growing them in too good a soil thus giving
nice lush growth to attract the dreaded greenfly!

Colin Moat
Kent England
Trying to get used to being back at work!
The next Hardy Plant Sale (Kent Group) is at Great Comp, Borough Green, Kent
on 12/8/01 all listers welcome!
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