Geophytes and Lewisia
James Waddick (Mon, 26 Jan 2004 09:08:59 PST)

Dear PBS;
Been a bit distracted to reply. just some thoughts.

Geophytes are plants that grow in the earth- most herbaceous
perennials, tree, shrubs etc. You are beating the wrong drum asking
about the topic on this list.
Seems we are more interested in plants that have enlarged
storage organs and it doesn't much matter where they grow. In the
soil (geophytes,) on rock (lithophytes), in trees (including Clivia),
etc.
The common condition is that they all have a storage organ
(mostly water storage) and mostly for survival in times of stress.
These may be modified stems (bulbs, etc.)(including rhizomes as
modified stems), roots (potatoes etc.) and more. ome names include
tuber, bulbs, rhizome, corm etc.

Let's just call them 'bulbs' for convenience and not argue.

Lewisia- Another plant that has foiled me for a long time. 2 years
ago I planted 'Little Plum' in a raised bed constructed out of 2 x 10
lumber about 3 ft deep and containing nothing but sand from the
Missouri River. It is in full sun. The lewisia came through two
winters and bloomed and multiplied. The first ever to do this here.
Last spring I planted 4 others in the same bed-all large
flowering hybrids and they grew well all summer (worst drought here
in years) and are now encased in 1/2 inch of ice. Except for a bit of
leaf burn, they look great. I'll report on survival when they defrost
and try some species this year.

Good drainage and full sun seem a winning combination.

Best Jim W.
--
Dr. James W. Waddick
8871 NW Brostrom Rd.
Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711
USA
Ph. 816-746-1949
E-fax 419-781-8594

Zone 5 Record low -23F
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