Date: Wed, 15 Apr 1998 19:59:27 +0100 From: Phil Wilson <cp@pwilson.demon.co.uk> To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg1272$foo@default> Subject: Re: Tuberous Drosera and cold
In message <11521962403912@split.it>, Tassara <strega@split.it> writes
>Hi list!
>
>Years ago, in Boston, while reading a botanical encyclopedia I found,=20
>after the description of each plant, also the hardiness zone where it lives.
>
>I was surprised to find there that some tuberous sundews (e.g. Drosera=20
>Gigantea, D. Macrantha, D. Stolonifera) and some pigmies (D. Leucoblasta,
>D. Pygmaea) grow in USDA hardiness zone n.8, which means minimum winter
>temperature from -12 to -7 =B0C.
>It would mean they can survive such temperatures without covering!
>
>Here in Genoa (a city near Portofino, which seems to be by far more famous
>worldwide) we have a typical mediterranean climate with dry, hot summers
>and wet, rather cold winters (min. temp. about -6=B0C), maybe not so=
> different
>from south western australian climate.
>It would be fantastic growing tuberous sundews out in the garden all year=20
>long among orange trees and palms!
>
>Does anyone on the list have any experience with cold resistance=20
>of tuberous sundews?
>
Hi,
I have strongly suspected that many tuberous Drosera species are frost
tolerant. It is highly probably that the western Australian derserts
experience below zero temperatures during the winter nights.
Interestingly even as far north as the tropical Kimberley region they
get night time temperatures below zero.
This is all very well in habitat but in cultivation I have not had the
courage to subject my prized collection to frozen conditions! My
experience of relatively long term cold periods (lasting over a week)
are that below about 5C growth stops. For economy I only heat my
greenhouse to 5C so when we get cold spells (often in January or
February) the plants simply stop growing.
It would be nice to be able to grow tuberous Drosera among the olive
groves! Have you considered other weather factors such as rainfall and
soil?
Regards,
-- Phil Wilson
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