Date: Mon, 1 Mar 1999 18:14:49 EST From: L235@aol.com To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg625$foo@default> Subject: re: D. cistiflora reply
My D. cistiflora are in their third year of growth from seeds (germinated
12/96). They grew without dormancy for the first two years, reaching rosettes
perhaps 1/2 inch across before dying back. I let them go completely dry
(perhaps a mistake?). They were kept in a plastic bag to retain humidity,
however. They were dormant for perhaps four months when I began to water this
past fall. Soon after, a few plants began to grow, with the largest of them
sending up aerial stems for the first time this year. Of the three varieties
of seedlings I successfully germinated, two came back from dormancy ('pink 49
cm', 'red') .... designations are Eric Green's, the generous source of my
seeds.
<< 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.
>>
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