Re: Don't shoot the messenger!
- To:
- Subject: Re: Don't shoot the messenger!
- From: G*
- Date: Fri, 24 Sep 1999 08:22:19 -0400
- References: <4a8c0203.251aaeac@aol.com>
Well Hello Holly,
It's so nice to see you... whoops that was Dolly.
Welcome to world of nursery decisions. Mostly the questions you are asking
depend upon your sense of patience and available space to play with the plants.
Many of the perennial natives take long periods to germinate and even more time to
come to bloom size. That is one of the reasons you do not see them on the market
as much as many other perennials.
On the Spigelia I would grow them on for two years and then sell in the 4"
with the notation that they are one year from bloom... if you do not want to keep
carrying them in the propagation area. Or, pot them up to 6" at end of 2 years and
hold for one more year to sell at the higher price. Incidentally, Spigelia
transplant easily to the garden or another size pot.
Hepatica can be even more touchy to play with. Best from established divisions
that take many years to grow to size. Erythronium takes up to 5 years before first
bloom. Dodecatheon are easy. Bloom the second year a bit. Just place 3 or more
seeds to the 4" pot to fill it out quicker and do not thin out.
Want to come work as intern for a year ot two? Payment in knowledge,
experience and some plants to take home to the garden. That and a good time...
Gene Bush Southern Indiana Zone 6a Munchkin Nursery
around the woods - around the world
genebush@otherside.com http://www.munchkinnursery.com
----- Original Message -----
From: <PolarisOn@aol.com>
> Susan, I knew there was good reason why I like to eat chocolate with red
> wine. You were right to put any of our uneasy minds to rest. Thanks!
> And while we're on the subject of perennials, I'd like to
> return to the glorious Spigelia marilandica. If The GP Co. is selling a 4"
> plant for $18.00 and our own Gene who we know to be the voice of reason (not
> to mention our provider of levity) is selling gallon divisions for
> $9.00....what then do I charge and/or DO with the 100 plus babies I have
> brought into the fold of a budding native's nursery, learning after the fact
> that they don't bloom for up to three years!?!? AAGGHH! Please don't tell
> me it's ditto for Hepaticas, Erythroniums, Dodecatheon and all of the other
> infant natives that I jumped the gun on. [I'm grateful to you, Nan, for your
> Arisaema inquiry or I'd still be in the dark. This perennial list offers some
> of the best education there is!]
> Shall I raise them to blooming size and
> chalk it up to inexperience -- or find them good homes as they are with the
> accompanying "absence-of-bloom-until" explanation? Words of Wisdom, here,
> Gene? BTW --your gal. deal is a good one. A good size division like that is
> usually a few plants --I often get the older, larger size of something and
> divide it up to go a lot further in my garden. Now don't tell me the Spigelia
> is fussy about being transplanted....
> Out of curiosity, I think I'll ask The GP Co. what it tells buyers about
> their 4" plants. For $18.00, I know I would expect a blooming plant ---a good
> size blooming plant!
> I shudder to think of all I have yet to learn*
>
>
> Welcome any and all advice,
> Holly
> zone 7
>
>
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