Reflectix and oncocylus notes

Adam,
That is interesting, thanks for the references. I would like to say that my choice of bed location was based on my deep knowledge of bulb and succulent culture, but its the only viable place close to the house foundation. I got lucky. I had been concerned about the lack of late afternoon sun, but it seems to be fine for most agaves, cacti, and lilies but not so great for a few of the south african succulents that appear to need more sun. The site has worked so well that I kept expanding it and its now at the practical size limit. I would have to cut down a couple of the evil black walnuts to expand further.
I have not tried oncocyclus yet but if you can grow them in Illinois, its worth a try here.
Regards,
Phil
SE Michigan where the garden stores are out of most supplies as if no one gardens in November.....

From: adam14113@ameritech.net
To: pbs@lists.ibiblio.org
Date: Tue, 9 Nov 2010 10:03:46 -0600
Subject: Re: [pbs] Reflectix and oncocylus notes

Hi. Southeast is interesting because that's the exposure noted by
Werckmeister and somebody else (Mouterde?) in an early paper for plants in
Syria. Probably morning sun and only light from later when the sun's
really hot in summer. .

----- Original Message -----
From: "P. C. Andrews" <pcamusa@hotmail.com>
To: <pbs@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Tuesday, November 09, 2010 6:39 AM
Subject: Re: [pbs] Reflectix

Hi Adam- There is not a huge lake effect here but the winters don't seem
any worse than mid-Indiana. The bed has a very minimal slope to the
southeast but is against the foundation which offers some protection and
it has a thick layer of sand for drainage (with a gravel drainage channel
at the drip edge). I have a gradient of plants from the foundation
outwards graded by cold and moisture sensitivity (mostly by trial and
error).
Regards,
Phil

From: adam14113@ameritech.net
To: pbs@lists.ibiblio.org
Date: Mon, 8 Nov 2010 20:16:56 -0600
Subject: Re: [pbs] Reflectix

Phil? Your climate is much like mine in Glenview,IL Maybe a tad warmer
due
to lake effect and prevaiing winds. Does your soil slope to the SW?.
Better if it does for combined effects of drainage, wind direction, etc.
.

----- Original Message -----
From: "P. C. Andrews" <pcamusa@hotmail.com>
To: <pbs@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Monday, November 08, 2010 6:21 PM
Subject: Re: [pbs] Reflectix

Hi All- Thanks for all your comments. In my case I have the sand bed
and
the stone mulch bone dry when I cover it so I am not particularly
concerned about rot. In fact, dryness seems to be as important as
insulation. My major concern is keeping snow melt out of the soil with
the consequent freeze damage in the next temperature drop.
So I went ahead and picked up a couple of rolls tonight and I'll report
on
performance some time in April.
Regards,
Phil
Southern (tropical) Michigan, zone 5ish.

From: adam14113@ameritech.net
To: pbs@lists.ibiblio.org
Date: Mon, 8 Nov 2010 17:55:04 -0600
Subject: Re: [pbs] Reflectix

Hello Santoury in Mass. In was talking about growing oncocyclus
species
and
hybrids. (very touchy) as examples of touchy geophytes. the idea was
the
the method might be extended to others needing to be protected.

Sounds as if you missed a posting. Regards, Adam
----- Original Message -----
From: <santoury@aol.com>
To: <pbs@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Monday, November 08, 2010 4:07 PM
Subject: Re: [pbs] Reflectix

I thought we were talking about bubble wrap? Isn't that plastic?
Pardon
if
I misunderstood.
The moisture from the rotting leaves is what causes the root rot
that
kills them.
Sand actually probably may be part of the problem, since sand is
very
compressed, and does not allow for any air circulation.
Maybe it would be helpful to know what kind of plants you're talking
about.
Massachusetts is probably much milder, but it's also very wet in
winter.

I don't cover the plants wet. Also, the fact that the styrofoam
panels
are flat allows air circulation under it. Also each plant is
covered
with
2-4" of dry sand.. Massachusetts winters can't be harsher than
Chicago
in
terms of degrees below zero

----- Original Message ----- From: <santoury@aol.com>
To: <pbs@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Monday, November 08, 2010 3:21 PM
Subject: Re: [pbs] Reflectix

I did not see the original post - but plastic will rot anything
under
it.

People here in Mass. cover lawns with plastic, or even tarps, in
order to
kill grass, and everything else, to re-seed.

People here use HAY for protection in winter. It would also be a
much

better insulator than a sheet of plastic.

-----Original Message-----
From: Jtlehmann@aol.com
To: pbs@lists.ibiblio.org
Sent: Mon, Nov 8, 2010 2:25 pm
Subject: Re: [pbs] Reflectix

I realize the interest is covering the entire bed, and not
individual
plants, but as a word of caution: I have known people who used
regular >
bubble
wrap to protect individual tender plants without success; I know of
no

one
who has used it with success. The plants rot over the winter.
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