Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
Bulbs => Bulbs General => Topic started by: daveyp1970 on November 06, 2010, 11:32:19 AM
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i have just managed to get my hands on some seed of Blandfordia grandiflora and Thysanotus arenarius,what i want to know is are these two plants evergreen or do they drop there leaves during a rest period if they have one,or any other cultivation tips?
cheers in advance.
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This question illustrates the weakness of so many plant descriptions.... one would think that the characteristic of being evergreen or not would be pretty crucial to understanding a plant but how often is this information left out of a description? TOO OFTEN, I say!
I think the Blandfordia is herbaceous, Davey.... but the info I have for the Thysanotus says they can be either everegreen or herbaceous! Very helpful! :-X :-\
http://florabase.calm.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/21208
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Maggie i am so glad somebody else has noticed.I think such a relevant thing to know.Thank you for the link,i thought maybe one of the experienced growers down-under would of had some experience with these two plants.
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I am sure some of the specialists in these plants will add their wisdom, Davey.
This business of incomplete info is one of my bugbears! I have suffered anguish in the past as a plant died back and left me wondering if it had gone forever or was just resting..... and no mention of what it was meant to do, anywhere I could find.... horrible.... and very irritating :(
Last week at work at the Radio Scotland phone in programme, I suggested to a panellist, while discussing an email that had been sent in, prior to the programme, that it was a fat l lot of use to tell people how to care for their fuchsias obverwinter, no matter what method you tell them about, if you do not also tell them when to take the plants OUT of whatever place/regime you have them in and when and how to restart growth! It is almost a given that anyone giving advice for overwintering will NOT tell you these vital facts about restarting into growth.... drives me crazy, and not only because I then have to spend the next while on the phone answering the puzzled listeners calling in to ask!! :-X
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Last week at work at the Radio Scotland phone in programme, I suggested to a panellist, while discussing an email that had been sent in, prior to the programme, that it was a fat l lot of use to tell people how to care for their fuchsias obverwinter, no matter what method you tell them about, if you do not also tell them when to take the plants OUT of whatever place/regime you have them in and when and how to restart growth! It is almost a given that anyone giving advice for overwintering will NOT tell you these vital facts about restarting into growth.... drives me crazy, and not only because I then have to spend the next while on the phone answering the puzzled listeners calling in to ask!! :-X
Maggi, not trying to hijack the thread but since you have brought up the topic of overwintering fuchsias, maybe you can start a thread on overwintering plants.
I dug up a couple of hydrangeas to overwinter, ( should have left it until spring), have them sitting in bags in the garage and no idea what to do next.
I also have a number of clematis I am going to overwinter so any information would be 'very' helpful.
Am also waiting for information on the christmas bells. I think they require smoke for germination but not sure. ???
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Helen i found this but no where does it mention smoke to aid germination but they still might or whether they go summer dormant.http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/134837/blandfordia.pdf
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David, thanks very much for the link.
I have no idea where I got the idea they needed smoke for germination.
These grew in the bush surrounding my home when I was a kid.
Was the best part of the christmas season for me.
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David, thanks very much for the link.
I have no idea where I got the idea they needed smoke for germination.
These grew in the bush surrounding my home when I was a kid.
Was the best part of the christmas season for me.
wow what a site that must of been.
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wow what a site that must of been.
Yes it was, too bad digital cameras weren't around back then. :(
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I've heard that Blandfordias might benefit from smoke treatment too... perhaps elsewhere in this very forum..... :-\
Helen, I have begun a new thread to discuss overwintering methods.... it's here :
http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=6210.new#new
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I bet you(Maggie)and Helen are right,it wouldn't do any harm to pre-treat the seed with some smoke, I'll give it ago with half of the seed and just sow the other half normally and see what happens.
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Davey I have to admit my complete ignorance, I had to google these to see what they were, the Blandfodia is lovely and I hope you have success in germinating them both and growing them on.
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Helen, I have begun a new thread to discuss overwintering methods.... it's here :
http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=6210.new#new
Thanks Maggi ;D ;D ;D
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Re Blandfordia germination......
http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=2816.msg68349;topicseen#msg68349
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Maggie you star thank you,it seems quite hit and miss.I think i will have to cross my fingers,my legs, touch wood and put bunny rabbits foot(fake one of course)in my greenhouse and hope.
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One thing with the Blandfordia - when they were studied as a potential flower crop it was found that frequent transplanting of seedlings increased their rate of growth. Otherwise they can be quite slow.
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cheers Robs that's very handy to know.
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Davey I have to admit my complete ignorance, I had to google these to see what they were, the Blandfodia is lovely and I hope you have success in germinating them both and growing them on.
i hope so as well Brian.
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I've had seed of both but many years ago, from Ken Gillanders I think. Neither germinated, so I can't add anything at all useful here. However, it may be that Marcus Harvey in Tasmania has some experience. I'm sure he's listed the Blandfordia, though perhaps collected rather than cultivated seed.
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Marcus Harvey... ...listed the Blandfordia, though perhaps collected rather than cultivated
That's right. From Bruny Island amongst other places. I don't think he's ever offered grandiflora just our endemic, punicea.
Punicea is supposed to be the trickiest, but I haven't found it particularly so. Just don't let them dry out. Seed shouldn't need smoke, and the simple stratification suggested earlier seems to work OK for me.
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I'v just acquired my first Blandfordia punicea which is described as "excruciatingly difficult to cultivate - best chance in a pot or well drained , moist site" so I am encouraged by your comments Rob.
On Grandiflora, have you seen the brief info on http://asgap.org.au/b-gra.html?
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Sorry, therre is also a fairly extensive article published by New South Wales Primary industries at http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/134837/blandfordia.pdf which might offer some help.
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I'v just acquired my first Blandfordia punicea
John,
After a trip up to the Ridgeway I suppose. I go there to look (and only look :'() at Isophysis in flower. That is too hard for me. My place just isn't cool enough. But you shouldn't have too much trouble with punicea.
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Rob,
I'll steer clear of Isophysis, it will probably be too warm for me here too.
I have never been a great fan of Australian natives but there are some little gems among the Tasmanian alpines.
I have planted up a trough of a few which I am very pleased with as a first attempt.
I'll post a photo when they settle.
John
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I have never been a great fan of Australian natives but there are some little gems among the Tasmanian alpines.
I have planted up a trough of a few which I am very pleased with as a first attempt.
I'll post a photo when they settle.
John
I'm really looking forward to seeing the photo's John.
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Davey , Blandfordia grandiflora and punicea grow and flower well in my garden , morning sun , cool and moist spot ,but well drained .However I have never found any selfsown seedlings. The same applies to Thysanothus multiflorus . Both photos were taken last year around Christmas time.
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Otto thank you for posting your images they are fantastic,i'm still waiting for my seed.
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I just thought i would let you know my Blandfordia are growing ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Oh yeah? ;D
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I worked in Tasmania many years ago and was captivated by Blandfordia punicea growing on the flanks of the Western Arthurs (along with Isophysis tasmanica). Eventually I got hold of seed of the Blandfordia from Jim Archibald. It germinates relatively easily but the seedlings grow on at an extraordinarily slow rate, and would probably have benefited from feeding. Where they grow in the wild is pretty poor acidic soil and I imagine their natural growth rate is slow.
In the garden it grew for several years in soil with plenty of added peat and bark, and flowered quite well, but our climate is really much too dry for it. It has been occasionally shown at AGS Shows where it looks pretty exotic even though being a true alpine in the wild.
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Cultivation in standing water should be tried.