On Tue, 29 Jul 2003 17:22:55 +0100, A.Malhotra wrote:

I've never been one for growing plants from seed but I did this year
because we've just got a potting shed.

Uh, oh! The rot is starting to strike deep!

I planted california poppies,... and something called butterfly
weed (seed bought in Canada).

Likely Asclepia tuberosa. The host plant for the monarch
butterfly.


My california poppies are also a bit of a disaster. I planted them out
about a month ago, since when they appear to have shrunk if anything! They
are in dryish soil, in a part of the garden that is a suntrap when the sun
is on it but doesn't get sun the whole day. What's wrong with this?

They're *poppies* -- and as a general rule the entire family
dislikes root disturbance and transplantation. I suggest you sow
them in situ and thin if necessary -- but when thinning remember
the old adage that the weakest plant is often of the choicest
form or color.

I think your california poppies have a good chance of coming back
next year even if this year's performance is lousy.


--
Rodger Whitlock
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada