Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

Specific Families and Genera => Cacti and Succulents => Topic started by: David Nicholson on April 14, 2014, 07:10:24 PM

Title: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: David Nicholson on April 14, 2014, 07:10:24 PM
My season has begun:-

A rather nice orange/red Lewisia cotyledon, and
Lewisia tweedyi Lemon Form
Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: Graeme on April 14, 2014, 08:04:44 PM
that orange is stunning - mine are not even budding up yet

I have a Lewisia called Archangel which has tiny little white flowers - I think it might have been part of a series - does anyone have any of the other 'angel' series or know anything about them - its sterile  - there was apparently a red one in the series? - any information would be appreciated - thanks
Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: Martinr on April 14, 2014, 08:14:57 PM
Hi Graeme, can't say I've ever heard mention of an angel series. Archangel is certainly worth persistence, the flowers may be small but it can be persuaded to produce them in vast quantities. I'd also be interested to hear of others in the series
Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: David Nicholson on April 14, 2014, 08:35:01 PM
According to The Plantfinder Ryal Nursery in Northumberland list a Lewisia 'Archangel' but don't do mail order but I can't find any trace of an 'Angel Series'
Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: Graeme on April 14, 2014, 08:41:12 PM
Its a very dainty plant - I will post some pictures when its in flower -
Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: Martinr on April 15, 2014, 06:55:58 AM
As far as I know Ryal are the only current supplier, and usually in short supply too. Not the fastest Lewisia to bulk up as a stock plant.
Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: Graeme on April 15, 2014, 08:11:50 AM
the little alpine nursery at Calver Slough usually has it in stock
http://www.alpineplantcentre.co.uk/master%20home.htm (http://www.alpineplantcentre.co.uk/master%20home.htm)
Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: Martinr on April 15, 2014, 08:21:36 AM
Thanks Graeme, didn't know Steve Furness had stock but...trust me, I need to buy more Lewisias like I need a hole in the head ::)
Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: Robert on April 17, 2014, 12:38:08 AM
The start of the Lewisia season for us . This nice pink Lewisia hybrid blooms for us April to December, more or less.

This one is more than 25 years old and still going strong.  :)
Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on April 17, 2014, 07:51:45 AM
This red cotyledon is way earlier than its neighbours in the garden.

Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: Peter II on April 17, 2014, 10:37:41 AM
Luc Gilgemyn,
is this a hybrid?
Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on April 17, 2014, 11:43:05 AM
Luc Gilgemyn,
is this a hybrid?

It's cotyledon, Peter, grown from seed from the Ashwood nursery red strain, years ago.
Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: David Nicholson on April 17, 2014, 08:21:27 PM
Wish I could see them in the wild Robert.

Nice red cotyledons Luc, I have some from Ashwood seed that should flower this year.

My Lewisia tweedyi of an apricot shade that I grew from seed quite a few years ago now.
Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: Robert on April 18, 2014, 12:27:50 AM
David,

I will post some photos of our wild Lewisias when I get a chance. In the Salmon Mountains I've seen Lewisia cotyledon growing by the thousands in the forest duff, not the site one would except! There are other species local to our area.

I never get to Eastern Washington these days to see the L. tweedyi.  :'(

Luc,

Very nice red Lewisia. What sort of blooming season do you have with your climatic conditions?
Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: Robert on April 18, 2014, 04:03:13 PM
Lewisia rediviva grows a short walk down the road from our farm.
Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on April 18, 2014, 09:29:18 PM
David,

I will post some photos of our wild Lewisias when I get a chance. In the Salmon Mountains I've seen Lewisia cotyledon growing by the thousands in the forest duff, not the site one would except! There are other species local to our area.

I never get to Eastern Washington these days to see the L. tweedyi.  :'(

Luc,

Very nice red Lewisia. What sort of blooming season do you have with your climatic conditions?

Thanks Robert !
Actually, it's flowering extremely early this year because of the "warm" winter we had - normally it would be flowering mid-May
Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: Robert on April 19, 2014, 03:54:28 PM
Luc,

Our winter has been very mild too, with many plants blooming much sooner than average.
Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: astragalus on April 21, 2014, 01:02:11 PM
Luc, that's a very nice red  L.cotyledon.
Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: David Nicholson on April 25, 2014, 05:25:22 PM
A yellow cotyledon grown from Ashwood yellow seed sown 15/10/13 and Lewisia congdonii which is quite tall growing and difficult to photograph
Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: Maggi Young on April 25, 2014, 06:23:37 PM
Yes,  with taller stems and little flowers it will be a challenge to photograph Lewisia congdonii well.
Nice thing, though.
Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: Mark Griffiths on April 27, 2014, 11:15:02 PM
just found this thread, love the lemon tweedyii. I have a white one from seed first time flowering plus a rosea. Managed to lose all the buds on my typical plant, must have got it too dry I guess.
Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: Robert on May 06, 2014, 12:34:12 AM
A few more Lewisias:

1. A nice orange-yellow L. cotyledon.

2. Lewisia cotyledon heckneri. Typical flower coloration for L. cotyledon. The foliage is a bit different.

3. Lewisia cantelovii is a local endemic growing in the Yuba River and Feather River canyons on north facing cliff faces. I remember gather seed of the plant photographed on the South Fork of the Yuba River. The river was way down there!
Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: Roma on May 06, 2014, 08:30:52 PM
First flower this year on Lewisia rediviva
Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: Peter II on May 09, 2014, 04:27:32 PM
Lewisia pygmaea

Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: Menai on May 20, 2014, 05:22:58 PM
I acquired this as L. nevadensis but it looks very like your pygmaea. I believe they do hybridise. Should I correct my label?
Thanks

Erle

Anglesey
Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: Martinr on May 20, 2014, 05:34:49 PM
Should I correct my label?

In a word...Yes. Looks like L. pygmaea to me as well. L nevadensis is white, unless of course you get the 'rosea' form, and in both cases the flowers are bigger and held upright.

Cheers
Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: Graeme on May 21, 2014, 06:57:27 PM
Okay here we go -

Lewisia 'Archangel' - very dainty

Lewisia 'Goulds Hybrid' - my favourite lewisia - the flower spikes are quite tall but it is a copper/yellow colour with red veins - it could have done with a little shade which intensify's the colour

Lewisia 'George Henley' - this is just hanging on at the moment so only showing the flower

[attach=1][attach=2][attach=3][attach=4]
Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: Roma on May 30, 2014, 09:56:43 AM
Lewisia rediviva
Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: Maggi Young on May 30, 2014, 10:34:35 AM
Exquisite aren't they, Roma?  Real stars of a genus which has a lot of goodies.
Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: David Nicholson on June 13, 2014, 06:33:39 PM
Lewisia columbiana 'Alba'. A 'rangy' little plant and not easy to photograph in the whole.

Two variations of yellow L. cotyledon from Ashwood yellow seed.

L. cotyledon from Ashwood red seed.

Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: Robert on June 14, 2014, 12:36:04 AM
David,

I like 'Ashwood Red' ! Where did you come up with that one?
Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: David Nicholson on June 14, 2014, 06:55:51 PM
David,

I like 'Ashwood Red' ! Where did you come up with that one?

From seed Robert. Ashwood Nursery, in the middle of England, have a national reputation for their breeding work based on Lewisia cotyledon carried out in particular by their recently retired Philip Baulk. He gets a mention in Brian Mathew's monograph "Lewisia" (RBG Kew, Christopher Helm and Timber Press) 1989 and Roy Davidson's "Lewisias" (Timber Press) 2000. Aswood Nursery market a range of their nursery collected seed two of which are Yellow and Red.
Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: Maggi Young on June 14, 2014, 08:19:56 PM
Robert - you must have a look around the Ashwood site - you will enjoy it! http://www.ashwoodnurseries.com/ (http://www.ashwoodnurseries.com/)

They do amazing things  breeding Lewisia,  Helleborus and Cyclamen .... and that's not all.
Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: Graeme on June 14, 2014, 09:59:17 PM
 last time I was at ashwood he was into hepatica's in a big way
Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: Robert on June 16, 2014, 03:13:09 AM
David,

Thank you for the background information on Ashwood Nursery. Does your plant set open pollinated seed?

Maggi,

Thanks for the link to Ashwood Nursery. Yes, I will have a look around. I'm always impressed by the horticultural skills of those in the U.K. One of many good reasons to participate in the forum!  ;)
Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: David Nicholson on June 16, 2014, 08:03:49 AM

.....................Does your plant set open pollinated seed?


I don't know Robert, this is it's first flowering but I can't see any reason why it shouldn't. Will keep you posted.
Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: Geoforce on June 16, 2014, 12:28:49 PM
David

Very fond of your 'Yellow #2'.  Very nice clear color.

Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: David Nicholson on June 16, 2014, 03:53:27 PM
The majority of plants from the same batch of seed are the same as No. 2 George.
Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: Roma on June 21, 2014, 08:23:18 PM
I'm still getting flowers on Lewisia rediviva.   I think I planted 6 in the big pot but they did not all flower at the same time.
Two whites - one with pink pollen and one with yellow.  Some seed was from SRGC and some from AGS but all was from the same donor of collected seed.   I have 16 plants with 2 still to flower.  I have never done so well with Lewisia rediviva.  I hope a few survive another year ;D
Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: David Nicholson on June 22, 2014, 05:56:15 PM
You've done very well with your rediviva Roma. I've yet to get one to the flowering stage, nil desperandum!
Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: Robert on June 23, 2014, 03:19:58 AM
I'm still getting flowers on Lewisia rediviva.   I think I planted 6 in the big pot but they did not all flower at the same time.
Two whites - one with pink pollen and one with yellow.  Some seed was from SRGC and some from AGS but all was from the same donor of collected seed.   I have 16 plants with 2 still to flower.  I have never done so well with Lewisia rediviva.  I hope a few survive another year ;D

Roma,

Yes, excellent Lewisia rediviva. If I understand correctly the seed was from cultivated plants? Lewisia rediviva grows naturally just down the road from the farm here, about a 5 minute walk. It grows elsewhere in our area too. I've never seen anything like yours in the wild.

Beautiful plants! Thank you for sharing.
Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: Roma on June 23, 2014, 03:12:03 PM
You've done very well with your rediviva Roma. I've yet to get one to the flowering stage, nil desperandum!
Keep trying ,David.  I think I did get one to a reasonable size many years ago.  I think I may have got one or two to flowering stage since then but no further.  I am amazed to still have 16 plants at 5 years old and all with at least one flower.   They are setting seed too.
Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: Roma on June 23, 2014, 03:23:35 PM
Robert, the seed was wild collected.  The seed in the SRGC list (2008/2009) was collected in Idaho by a Mr. & Mrs. J. Fowler.  The seed in the AGS list was wild collected by G&K Fowler who appear in the UK list of donors but no note of where it was collected.  I assumed they were the same couple but did not notice earlier that the initials were different.  I think Diane Clement can give me more information about the AGS donation if you are interested.  I didn't label each plant separately so they are mixed up now but they are all similar. 
Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: Diane Clement on June 23, 2014, 07:50:44 PM
Robert, the seed was wild collected.  The seed in the SRGC list (2008/2009) was collected in Idaho by a Mr. & Mrs. J. Fowler.  The seed in the AGS list was wild collected by G&K Fowler who appear in the UK list of donors but no note of where it was collected.  I assumed they were the same couple but did not notice earlier that the initials were different.  I think Diane Clement can give me more information about the AGS donation if you are interested.  I didn't label each plant separately so they are mixed up now but they are all similar. 

Roma, the AGS seed was collected in Idaho by Gordon and Kath Fowler, so I'd be pretty sure that the SRGC initial "J" is just a typo and it is the same donation. 
Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: Roma on June 23, 2014, 07:52:00 PM
Thank you Diane.
Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: Maggi Young on June 23, 2014, 08:28:49 PM
Roma, the AGS seed was collected in Idaho by Gordon and Kath Fowler, so I'd be pretty sure that the SRGC initial "J" is just a typo and it is the same donation. 
Yes, a typo  for "G"

Good seed , wasn't it?  8)
Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: Thorkild Godsk on June 23, 2014, 08:58:08 PM
Lewisia Rediviva sown in 2006, it is first year it is in flower.
Thorkild-DK
Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: Maggi Young on June 23, 2014, 09:07:34 PM
Lewisia brachycalyx  can be a cracking flower  but L. rediviva must be the "queen"  8)
Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: Robert on June 24, 2014, 01:24:59 AM
The Lewisia rediviva plants seem so robust! And from wild seed.

In their natural habitat they grow in the most difficult situations. It is extremely hot during the summer, 40c daytime temperatures are common. It is also extremely dry with little or no rain from June to Mid-October. They grow in basically little or no soil, many times growing in the tiniest of cracks in the rock, which is often serpentine.

If the story is true, Lewisia rediviva was collected on the Lewis and Clark expedition. After who knows how long, a dried-up, dead-looking root arrived in the eastern U.S. It somehow started into growth and thus was named rediviva, as it seemingly came back to life.

Could Lewisia rediviva be short lived if the growing conditions are too lush? Too much moisture or too much plant food of any type, the growing conditions are too easy. Around here, this is the easiest way too kill them in cultivation. They seem to thrive on seemingly neglect, but they also grow like the wild plants being, in general, tiny plants with smallish flowers, maybe 1 to 3 per plant.
Title: Re: LEWISIA-2014
Post by: David Nicholson on June 24, 2014, 06:01:21 PM

If the story is true, Lewisia rediviva was collected on the Lewis and Clark expedition. After who knows how long, a dried-up, dead-looking root arrived in the eastern U.S. It somehow started into growth and thus was named rediviva, as it seemingly came back to life.

On the first of July 1806 on Lewis and Clark's return journey at or near the junction of the Bitterroot River and Lolo Creek about 19km south of Missoula in Montana. In 1871 a chap called Edward Palmer wrote a report for the U.S. Department of Agriculture on L. rediviva's potential as a cultivated food crop. Native Americans used the root of L. rediviva as a source of starch and I've read some still do. In March 1827 the Scottish collector, David Douglas collected specimens from the upper Columbia River tributeries and sent them to the RHS in England where they failed to grow. The first flowering in England was in 1863 at Kew from material collected by David Lyall from southcentral British Columbia.
Sources: Brian Mathew, 'The Genus Lewisia' 1989 and  B. LeRoy Davidson, 'Lewisias' 2000.
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