Dierama
J.E. Shields (Thu, 04 Dec 2003 14:37:09 PST)

Greg's report is most interesting. I envy him all those species of Dierama
growing in his province.

I've tried with various species of Dierama here, and found them very
frustrating. For the most part, seedlings in community pots simply die
when separated into individual pots. Lining them out into the field bed is
just as fatal.

Plants from Telos Rare Bulbs have done better than those I've raised from
seeds myself. Even in containers, over the course of a couple of years I
lose almost all of them however. They are delicate to handle and very
sensitive to abuse. Around here, plants that can't take abuse do not last
long......, unfortunately.

I have to agree with Greg regarding botanical paintings vs. photos
too. Color slides are very difficult to make that get the colors looking
just as they look on the flower when viewed with the human eye. There are
some fantastic botanical artists in South Africa.

Regards,
Jim Shields

*************************************************
Jim Shields USDA Zone 5 Shields Gardens, Ltd.
P.O. Box 92 WWW: http://www.shieldsgardens.com/
Westfield, Indiana 46074, USA
Tel. ++1-317-867-3344 or toll-free 1-866-449-3344 in USA
Member of INTERNATIONAL CLIVIA CO-OP