Date: Sun, 28 Feb 1999 20:42:28 -0500 From: "Mark Pogany" <markp@en.com> To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg618$foo@default> Subject: D. cistiflora reply
Jeff wrote (in response to my observations):
<< My past experience with D. cistiflora is this. After receiving some packs
from SilverHill seeds I scattered the lot on the surface of 60/40 sand-peat.
This was around the first of May. The pot was left outdoors exposed to the
elements. While day temps were in the 10-20c range several consecutive
nights produced frost ( -2 to +2 c). I noticed massive germination (90-100%)
>>
Mark,
How long did it take for them to reach maturity? What have you done to grow
them long term?
Actually they are not mature plants yet. The D. cistifloras that I have are
only small ground rosettes about an inch across, 8 months old. I keep them
in a sandy 60/40 mix under lights in my basement, where ambient temperatures
are cooler year-round. Right now they are starting to die down for their
proper dormancy so I plan on keeping the medium just moist. From what I've
read D. cistiflora needs around three months. Hopefully when they come back
the fabled "aerial" growth will commence. For me this species is VERY slow
growing, unlike its cousin the dreaded "capensis"!
An interesting observation- a couple months back I transplanted a few of
these. When I washed the soil away I discovered that the lower portion of
the root was quite swollen. I presume that this acts as a sort of "tuber" to
keep the plant going from year to year.
Mark Pogany
Cleveland, Ohio
markp@en.com
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