>In my opinion, anyplace where palm trees can grow outdoors has a tropical
climate. I'd like to live in a place where cold weather lasts less than
Tell that to the Saguaros growing out in the 110 F, 15% humidity we have
out here in Tucson. Tropical? No. Blast furnace? Yes!
>After this, there's a five-page article by some guy named Barry Meyers-Rice.
No doubt the crown jewel of the issue.
> I work at the [Hubble] Space Telescope Science Institue on the
Ah, another astronomer!
>>And what's the deal with D.regia? The impression I have is that this is very
>>sought after. Is it difficult to grow?
>* It supposedly dies back to the roots periodically, similar to
> D. hamiltonii.
>* It may like cooler temps.
>* I can be propagated from root cuttings fairly easily, like D.
> binata.
All true to my experience. Also add that seeds germinate readily but take
about three years to produce mature plants.
Well, I got back safely from my trip to California, Nevada, and Utah.
In the latter two states we visited the wonderful National monuments of
Great Basin, Zion, and Bryce Canyon where we camped, hiked, etc. Also
spent a glorious day in Ely, Nevada (aptly pronounced eely) while
various inbred mechanics named bubba and wheezer etc tried to replace
the alternator in our toyota truck--"Well you wouldn't ha got yerself in
trouble if you'da bought an Amerkin truck!" And we even were asked to
leave one garage when we asked them if they wanted to talk to our Toyota
mechanic in Tucson for suggestions----"Yew think I need help from some
fee-male mechanic?"
Using some detailed location data from Hawkeye Rondeau, Bridgett and I were
able to locate two seeps populated with Darlingtonia in northern California.
The first location was very healthy and the mossy seep was populated by
the Darlingtonia, Mimulus spp., Platanthera, Pedicularis, and weedy small
lilies. The pH of the water was about 4 (I brought along my pH paper). I was
surprised to see how slowly water seeped through the moss. The flow was
imperceptable. The second site in Butterfly Valley Botanical Area is doing
a little less well, I think, which is a pity since this area has been studied
by the Darlingtonia botanists for about 100 years. The drought was taking
its toll. While there were still many many plants, you could also see large dry
piles of dead pitchers where plants used to live. No seedling activity noted.
A pond which used to house a few species of Utrics had dried up. The first seep
was dominated by some moss (not Sphagnum), but the second seep was being taken
over by various grasses, sedges, and rushes.
D. rotundifolia was found at both sites.
As some useful cultural information, I was interested to note that the plants
growing in full sun were compact (<10" tall) and prone to burning, while plants
in full shade were healthy and up to three times taller (not etiolated) and not
burnt. My camera's light meter at f/5.6 in full sun read 1/500 sec exposure,
while the plants growing happily in the shade yielded an f/5.6 reading of
1/30 second, which means they were quite happy in light only 1/17 full sun!
This should help growers trying to keep their plants cool!
Now get this. My brother and his wife are biologists and were invited to
Hawaii for a two-week conference. At the last minute his wife had to drop out
of the trip, and I'm going in her place. All expenses paid,
two weeks in the islands, and also a variety of hiking expeditions led by
scientists interpreting the volcanoes and wildlife. Life can be sweet!
On my return to the mainland, I'm arriving August 18 in San Francisco 8:11 pm
(United flight 188 from Mauii) and leaving for Phoenix on the 19th, 11:15 am
(United 1285). I've some friends who could put me up for the night, but are
there any Bay Area CPers who might want to have dinner/put me up for the night
so we could meet and talk CP? I know this may not be convenient for you, but I
thought I should mention it so if anyone was interested....
BAMR