On Fri, 6 Aug 2004 21:27:40 +0200, "Gaby Chaudry"
wrote:

I'm desperately seeking the following plants:

Christia vespertilionis (Island pea)
Gossypium sturtianum (Sturt's Desert Rose, from down under)
Boswellia serrata (incense tree)

Your problem is that you are looking for plants that are not
particularly easy to cultivate in northern Europe (in the case of
Gossypium sturtianum, it is extremely tricky on account of its desert
origins) and to be honest, of no immense ornamental merit. I keep an
almost constant watch for interesting exotics and have only seen
Christia offered once or twice as growing plants (seeds are
occasionally available) and that was many years ago. I very much
doubt if any are currently grown in nurseries in the UK, although they
may be present in a few specialised collections and botanical gardens.

Gossypium sturtianum requires highly specialised growing conditions
and is exceptionally prone rot unless maintained in a very arid,
sunny, sunny climate. Growing them from seed is fraught with problems
and plants from cuttings are simply unavailable.

Boswellia seed is very, very rarely offered and the tree, apart from
its considerable pharmacological value, holds relatively little
interest to even the most avid plant collector. Native to northern
India through to the southern Arabian peninsula, it prefers hot, dry
sunny climates. Although it will tolerate more moisture than the
Gossypium, it does not grow well in the lower light levels much
further north than mediterranean regions.

Christia (if you can get the seeds) is relatively easy. Soak them in
very hot water and allow to remain in it as it cools for at least 24
hours. Sow in a sharply drained compost and maintain temps of around
26 - 28C. Germination is usually quite rapid. Once the seedlings
have develop their first true leaves, gradually harden them to air
temps of around 21C and gently expose to full light. A good compost
for growing the plants on consists of a mixture of a sterilised loam
based type such as John Innes No2 and horticultural grit in a ratio
of 2:1. Christia needs full sun to develop best colouring and is not
really a very good pot plant for the home, but it can be done.

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

Dave,

first of all thanks a bunch for your comprehensive and knowledgeable reply!

Your problem is that you are looking for plants that are not
particularly easy to cultivate in northern Europe (in the case of
Gossypium sturtianum, it is extremely tricky on account of its desert
origins) and to be honest, of no immense ornamental merit.

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.

almost constant watch for interesting exotics and have 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.

Gossypium sturtianum requires highly specialised growing conditions
and is exceptionally prone rot unless maintained in a very arid,
sunny, sunny climate. Growing them from seed is fraught with problems
and plants from cuttings are simply unavailable.

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

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.

interest to even the most avid plant collector. Native to northern
India through to the southern Arabian peninsula, it prefers hot, dry
sunny climates. Although it will tolerate more moisture than the
Gossypium, it does not grow well in the lower light levels much
further north than mediterranean regions.

I thought that it might need similar conditions as Adenium, originating from
the same region and climate. Is this true?

Christia (if you can get the seeds) is relatively easy. Soak them in
very hot water and allow to remain in it as it cools for at least 24
hours.

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??

Anyway, if you ever come across one of these plants, please drop me a line.
Btw, Which plants do you have in your collection?

Best wishes
Gaby

--
Mrs. Gaby Chaudry
http://www.gaby.de/bilder/

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

On 8/8/04 10:50, in article ,
"Dave Poole" wrote:

snip
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'.

This did make me smile, Dave. As you know, while enjoying the rarer plants,
Ray, like you, is a great one for growing the right plant in the right place
and chucking out that which doesn't 'do' very well. He sees no point in
planting something that is going to struggle and look utterly miserable,
just because nobody in England has ever seen it! He is also just a little
scathing about people who want to find some old variety, just because it
*is* old, if a modern hybrid is better. As I've heard you both say, the
reason some plants are rarely seen is because they're just not very good
plants!
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
(remove the weeds to email me)

Dave,

Well, I admire your determination

Thanks :-))

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.

The ideal plant for somebody who often forgets watering ;-))

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.

I though Swainsonia is an annual plant? Or is it just grown as an annual?

[Boswellia seeds]
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.

I shall try that, thanks!

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.

Well, I'm not that lucky... Here in Munich this year we even had frost in
March..
My Oleander and Laurel were covered with snow - but fortunately it didn't do
them any harm. Temperatures here range from about -20 degrees in winter up
to more than 30 degrees in summer. Therefore, in summer, my balconies are
crowded - and in winter it's crowded inside...

I'm an avid admirer of true palms and have a modest collection of around 4
0
different species

Wow! I also would like to have palms, but I don't have the space

big bold plants such as the bananas and their relatives, gingers and
tropical aroids such as Colocasia, Alocasia etc.

Yes, I like them, too. But same problems as above. I've grown a couple of
Strelitzia nicolai from seeds, but I'm afraid I can only keep one of them.

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.

Do you have pictures on-line?

(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'.

:-)))

Bye, Gaby

--
Mrs. Gaby Chaudry
http://www.gaby.de/bilder/