purpurea purpurea "Terra Novae"

rja@sun.com (Robert.Allen@Eng.Sun.COM)
Mon, 28 Sep 92 18:26:19 GMT

I got this species at the BCPS auction a while back.
I believe Rob Maharaj was the person who supplied it,
via Geoff Wong (?). Anyhow, I've always wanted the
Northern form, so I bought it and gave it a good home
in a clay pot and live spahgnum. I figured a clay pot
would give more evaporative cooling. So, the plant put
up 3 small leaves, but hasn't been doing much else. I
noticed last night that the printed instructions which
came with the plant said keep it cool, and give it 6-7
months dormancy. "cool" I can't do much about, but the
area I'm in isn't baking at least. However, since it's
stopped putting up leaves, I'm thinking it wants to go
dormant. Never having dealt with a plant that was this
serious about its dormancy, I don't want to just dry it
out and leave it outside: it may not get cold enough to
be happy and come back bigger and better next season.

So, what is the approved (tm) method of supplying dormancy
for far-northern plants, without having them dry up or
rot in the dark recesses of my fridge?

Thanks,

Robert