On Sat, 7 Aug 2004 16:55:26 +0200, "Gaby Chaudry"
wrote:


Well, it's more the unusual than the ornamental that tempts me..
Of course I know that the plants I'm looking for are not "easy to grow
backyard gardener plants", but rather ones that bear a high challenge.

Well, I admire your determination

only seen
Christia offered once or twice as growing plants (seeds are
occasionally available) and that was many years ago.

It seems that they are quite common in Eastern Asia, mostly Japan. At least
all the Google results I got where from this region.

It is widely distribute through the indo-pacific regions as well as
the Caribbean and South America.

Gossypium sturtianum requires highly specialised growing conditions

Aren't there really no collectors at all in Europe that have one??

The point to remember about this and one or two other natives of its
natural habitat is that the conditions are so difficult to emulate,
that few bother to try. It will only do well in regions of moderate
to low (or even nearly non-existent) rainfall and has a very high
light requirement. Otherwise it becomes weak, very leggy and prone to
fungal diseases. When you consider that it flourishes in the desert
regions of central Australia, it is hardly surprising. Another native
of its region - Sturt's Desert Pea Swainsonia (Clianthus) formosa can
only be successfully grown in cultivation if grafted onto the more
easily grown Clianthus puniceus. Even then it only has a lifespan of
a few years away from arid, brighter regions.

Boswellia seed is very, very rarely offered

I already got Boswellia seeds, but they don't germinate. I heard that they
are fertile for only 6 or 8 weeks after harvesting. The seeds you normally
get are much older.

I doubt that is the problem. Most plants native to arid and semi-arid
regions have seeds that can remain viable for a very long time. This
way, when prolonged droughts occur, the species can regenerate from
seed when conditions become more amenable. My guess is that you have
not been able to break the dormancy. Try prolonged soaks of several
days, changing the water daily and maintaining temperatures of around
25C. This way, any growth inhibitors present in the outer seed coat
might be rinsed out. You may need to experiment with long or short
soak periods coupled with a range in temperatures. Plants native to
some arid regions may also germinate best when given hot days and cool
nights ie. kept at around 28 - 30C or higher by day, allowing to drop
back by 10 or 15C at night.

Christia (if you can get the seeds) is relatively easy.

Sounds like it behaves like most other Leguminosae. Then it's really easy.
Still, I'm missing a source for the seeds. The only two German dealers that
have them in their catalogue, can't supply them this year. Shall I be more
patient??

Looks as though you will have to be. Its getting a bit late in the
year and ideally you should be sowing this kind of thing in late
winter or early spring to get the longest possible growing season
before the first winter.

Btw, Which plants do you have in your collection?

I usually only collect for growing out of doors. Luckily, the climate
here is generally so mild that most 'pot plants' do extremely well and
can make surprisingly impressive specimens. I'm an avid admirer of
true palms and have a modest collection of around 40 different species
- all with potential for growing out of doors here. I'm also fond of
big bold plants such as the bananas and their relatives, gingers and
tropical aroids such as Colocasia, Alocasia etc. I have to be
careful, because plants which require dry winters rarely do well and I
have to err on the side of more tender, but moisture demanding plants.

I tend to concentrate upon plants from sub-tropical/humid sub-tropical
regions that have ornamental merit. Plants from South Africa, New
Zealand, Madagascar and South America figure very highly. As to
rarity value, I pay little attention to this unless the plant in
question has good qualities. As a result, I'm equally as proud of a
large Plumbago auriculata (capensis) as I am some obscure Brunsvigia
or Haemanthus - more so if the former performs really well as it did
last summer.

So, around my garden, you are likely to see fairly common and familiar
'pot plants' such as Clivia miniata, Hippeastrum hybrids, Strelitzia
reginae, various Bilbergias and the like. Tucked amongst them may be
'treasures', but they are no more valued unless they out-perform their
commoner neighbours. I like challenges, but being a 'grower' at heart
(typical ex-nurseryman!) I like plants that can do well. If they
don't, I have no qualms about getting rid of them to make room for
happier 'bed mates'.


Dave Poole
Torquay, Coastal South Devon UK
Winter min -2°C. Summer max 34°C.
Growing season: March - November