David: I've never heard of planting watsonias 12" deep, but will give this a try. Is there a reference for watsonias that indicate which ones have W. pillansii in their background? At 11:23 PM 12/7/2003 -0000, you wrote: >Hi Tony, >>>>>>>We have Chasmanthe bicolor ready to plant out in spring. Winter temps >to -13C would be considered a mild winter here. > >I'm glad I live here and thank god for Gulf Stream. Long may it continue ? > >>>>>I often wonder if there we need to make higher elevation collections of >many of these species to get better winter hardiness. > >It's a very good idea, however try and get some local knowledge. Higher >altitude forms may be generally hardier, but higher altitude sometimes means >thinner and free draining soils, and thus these bulbs may withstand a lot >more frost but they might not withstand similar levels of moisture. > >Incidentally, I plant various Watsonia species at a depth of 12 inches here, >I get them to grow as a clump first by potting on until they in a 12 inch >clay pot. I then plant the contents making sure the corms are 12 inches >deep. They are very successful and flower every year. However planting them >this deep is a bit of a problem for a nurseryman wanting to dig and sell >them. >I never cut the foliage down, although I'd love to, there's just so much of >it especially on the pillansii hybrids. I keep them looking good by snapping >off the old brown leaves at the base. However please take care, old leaves >and old scapes can be extremely sharp and as dangerous as Pampass or Bamboo. >Large grouping and close planting of plants in established containers seems >to work very well here, of course I don't get your temps but I think a lot >of things are well worth a try, and so many plants are still as yet >untested, or misunderstood. > >Good luck Tony. > >Best Wishes, >Dave > >David Fenwick >The African Garden >96 Wasdale Gardens >Estover >Plymouth >Devon >England >PL6 8TW > >01752 301402 > > >--- >Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. >Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com/). >Version: 6.0.544 / Virus Database: 338 - Release Date: 25/11/03 > >_______________________________________________ >pbs mailing list >pbs@lists.ibiblio.org >http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php > Tony Avent Plant Delights Nursery @ Juniper Level Botanic Garden 9241 Sauls Road Raleigh, NC 27603 USA Minimum Winter Temps 0-5 F Maximum Summer Temps 95-105F USDA Hardiness Zone 7b email tony@plantdelights.com website http://www.plantdel.com/ phone 919 772-4794 fax 919 772-4752 "I consider every plant hardy until I have killed it myself...at least three times" - Avent