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Re: [SG] Rodgersia not blooming was: Need suggestions

Kay,

Do you have yours in full sun?  Clyde says his do well in sun in your zone,
BUT need moist soil.

I know mine, even in shade, will brown out if I let the soil get too dry.
When I originally made the bed they're in, I dug a deep hole - around 2'
deep or so, for the entire bed, and put a piece of PVC pipe in it with the
end sticking out of the soil, so I could water from below as I knew I
wanted to put moisture lovers in this bed - it's  not too big - maybe 6
feet or so in diameter.  Anyway, I infilled with a really good mix of soil,
compost and probably bagged manure and whatever else took my fancy - so
mine are in very highly amended clay!  I don't remember for sure, but think
I may have also put some gravel in the bottom so the water from the pipe
could work its way around the bed.  This was about 10 years ago and, other
than a bit of top dressing and mulch now and then, I haven't done anything
to the soil in this bed.

But, when I water it deeply, I stick the hose in the pipe and let it go
until the water rises up and starts running out of the bed down the
path....this can take several hours.   I don't do this too often, even if
we're having a dry spell...sometimes just run the sprinkler on the bed, but
I do try to make sure it doesn't get dry enough for the Astilbes in there
to droop....sometimes I've screwed up and that's happened.  When it does,
sure enough, the Rodgersia leaves start to brown around the edges.

Since I don't have them elsewhere, I'm not sure if the soil has a lot to do
with their happiness or whether it's the fact that (if I don't forget to
check) I can keep that soil moist.  But, this soil drains well - it's not
boggy.  I don't think they tolerate bog conditions; only want moisture
available to their roots all the time.  I believe they are found naturally
along stream sides - may be wrong here, but think I've read this - which
would mean the crowns are in soil that drains well and they can get
moisture at the root.  I don't know if all this explanation of what mine
are growing in helps or not, but FWIW.

If someone is growing them magnificently in a true bog, please correct me!

Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@clark.net
Editor:  Gardening in Shade
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----------
> From: Kay Dye <Kdye1@AOL.COM>
> Date: Tuesday, July 28, 1998 7:49 AM
>
> Marge,
> My Rogersias have never bloomed either.  I think mind don't because they
are
> in soil that dries out too much.  I tried them in a moister area and they
> didn't look happy either.  I think I need to baby them soil-wise and I
> haven't.  They burn during hot spells, too.  I need to move them, but am
not
> sure if I have a place that would fit their needs.
> Kay Dye, Edelstein, IL Zone 5
>
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