Albuca superfast germinators also albuca hardiness
Pelarg@aol.com (Wed, 19 Mar 2008 18:06:23 PDT)

Hi Linda,
Nothing special for the albuca, except that it gets a lot of sun, and I try
not to let it get overwhelmed by nearby plants. It is near a street corner,
in a section of garden that has to be protected with fabric tied to fencing
in winter from our town's salt throwing trucks that seem to emerge at the
sight of a single snowflake. I'd say the bulbs, which are fairly flattish in
shape, are about an inch, if even that, below the surface. Soil around this
house is probably neutral to somewhat basic, as it is full of marble and near an
old marble quarry. Maple tree roots need to be chopped out periodically,
since my wife and I live on the second floor of my folks house (if I owned it,
there would be no maple trees!). The patch of albuca can get dry in summer,
but I do water as needed. I sometimes hand pollinate when they flower among
the different plants, they do seem to set more seed than if one leaves it up
to mother nature to do the job. As with other seeds, I refrigerate them a few
months after harvest, albuca seeds will last much longer in the fridge than
at room temps.
When I worked at the NYBG, I grew Delosperma "congestum" from seed I got
from Panayoti, it did very well in a sand bed, but was prone to rot off in
garden soil. Amazing plant when it is covered with white eyed screaming yellow
flowers. It is hardier than most other mesembs if well drained in winter
(though like the others it likes water in summer). I have some now in a pot on a
terrace, which I bring in when temps drop below the teens, since it does get
rained on a lot in the winter.
Zone three might be pushing it for even Albuca shawii, it would be really
interesting to see if it survives there ---I don't think I could, either : ) .
I'd think your best chances would be with species that grow on the
Drakensberg escarpment, look for anything that grows at 3000 meters or above in the SA
field guides. Does Galtonia candicans survive outdoors for you?
Hope the info helps,
Ernie

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