Hi can anyone tell how to grow these things. I brought some seeds back from
spain about 9 years ago, it has grown steadily to about 4 ft high, 2 years
ago I had 1 flower for the first time and since then nothing at all.
I over winter it in a conservatory and keep it dry, I have tried feeding it
some years and ignoring it others but I must be doing something wring. My
sister who lives about 10 miles away gets hers to flower every year.
Any advice from you experts out there?

In article ,
Terry Perrett wrote:
Hi can anyone tell how to grow these things. I brought some seeds back from
spain about 9 years ago, it has grown steadily to about 4 ft high, 2 years
ago I had 1 flower for the first time and since then nothing at all.
I over winter it in a conservatory and keep it dry, I have tried feeding it
some years and ignoring it others but I must be doing something wring. My
sister who lives about 10 miles away gets hers to flower every year.
Any advice from you experts out there?

My guess is that you have been unlucky. Plants grown from seed are
variable, and it might be a poor flowerer. I am no expert, but it
sounds as if you are treating it correctly.

I assume that it is in very well-drained compost, somewhat pot-bound,
and you feed only in summer and not with too much nitrogen.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

On 20 Apr 2005 22:15:05 GMT, (Nick Maclaren) wrote:

~In article ,
~Terry Perrett wrote:
~Hi can anyone tell how to grow these things. I brought some seeds back from
~spain about 9 years ago, it has grown steadily to about 4 ft high, 2 years
~ago I had 1 flower for the first time and since then nothing at all.
~I over winter it in a conservatory and keep it dry, I have tried feeding it
~some years and ignoring it others but I must be doing something wring. My
~sister who lives about 10 miles away gets hers to flower every year.
~Any advice from you experts out there?
~
~My guess is that you have been unlucky. Plants grown from seed are
~variable, and it might be a poor flowerer. I am no expert, but it
~sounds as if you are treating it correctly.
~
~I assume that it is in very well-drained compost, somewhat pot-bound,
~and you feed only in summer and not with too much nitrogen.
~
And you keep it in bright light? They like direct sunlight. I can't
help your specific problem as I've only just had my 4-year-old flower
for the first time and am currently waiting for it to grow a seedpod
as I hand-pollinated it. Because of this, I don't expect it to flower
next year.

Though I have just acquired two other cultivars of BoP ( S. Reginae
Mandela's Gold and S. Reginae juncea) which were sown on Sunday!


--
jane

Don't part with your illusions. When they are gone,
you may still exist but you have ceased to live.
Mark Twain

Please remove onmaps from replies, thanks!

Hi there, from what you have suggested it would appear that I might not have
been feeding it enough. It resides in well lit conservatory during the
winter but does live outside when the better weather comes. Will be kind and
feed it more regularly.
Thanks
"Terry Perrett" wrote in message
...
Hi can anyone tell how to grow these things. I brought some seeds back
from
spain about 9 years ago, it has grown steadily to about 4 ft high, 2 years
ago I had 1 flower for the first time and since then nothing at all.
I over winter it in a conservatory and keep it dry, I have tried feeding
it
some years and ignoring it others but I must be doing something wring. My
sister who lives about 10 miles away gets hers to flower every year.
Any advice from you experts out there?

Hi Terry,

Had you repotted the plant after the last flowering? I have just read from
the 'Gardener's World' April 2005 issue (p.82, Martin Fish) that
"These plants flower much better when their roots are restricted, so avoid
growing them in too large a container. Ideally, buy an established plant
and keep it in frost-free conditions during winter."

I hope the information can be helpful.

With regards,
CK from Aberystwyth