Hardiness of Haemanthus
J.E. Shields (Thu, 04 Aug 2005 17:45:06 PDT)

Hi Paul and all,

Actually, this is very useful data. It makes the tolerance of H. coccineus
tangible! Temperature of -8°C is about +18°F, which is quite respectably
cold. Thanks very much.

Your comment on H. barkerae is interesting too, because I have some
barkerae that flower pretty reliably in pots.

I produced some hybrid seedlings of H. [humilis hirsutus X coccineus] a few
years ago. They may be my most promising bet for frost tolerance in
Haemanthus. I'm sure they are true hybrids, because hirsutus is the seed
parent and they have the red leaf margins of the coccineus (pollen)
parent. The leaves are not very hairy, either -- at least not so far. The
seedlings are about 3 years old now, and in their summer dormancy.

George Mann in South Africa commented that H. humilis humilis is found in
the mountains of Lesotho, where it regularly gets winter temperatures of
-3°C (ca. 26°F).

I appreciate the comments I have received, on list and privately.

Regards,
Jim Shields
in central Indiana (USA)

At 08:40 AM 8/5/2005 +1000, Paul wrote:

This may not be anything new to you by way of information, but Haemanthus
coccineus doesn't skip a beat during winter here in Canberra,
Australia. Planted out in the open (i.e nowhere near the eaves or against
walls or anything like that) it sails through -8'C at least each winter
(even in 8 inch black plastic pots that tend to magnify the cold to the
roots it doesn't have a problem at all). Plenty of -5'C and below through
winter, but I don't know exact figures (but could probably find out for you
if you want). I realise that in the scheme of things this is negligible
cold, but thought it might be at least some data you didn't have.
...........

I don't have either humilis or montanus so I can't help there. I know that
H. albiflos gets toasted if it gets frosted here, but that it does
regenerate later on even if frosted, and in most cases even flower despite
the short duration of the leaves. This is an observation from a friend's
garden not my own. Mine are protected. I also have H. barkerae in
slightly less protected area and it doesn't have any problems but it is not
exposed to much cold there either.
.........
Paul Tyerman
Canberra, Australia.

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