Growing Tecophilaea Suggestions
Rodger Whitlock (Tue, 22 Oct 2013 10:34:16 PDT)

On 21 Oct 2013, at 19:41, elilium71@roadrunner.com wrote:

Tecophilaea is:

1. Not fully hardy. Even here in Victoria, while pots of tecophilaea can be
left outside with no protection most of the winter, I have to be alert for
impending "arctic outflows" when we get serious freezes. When an arctic outflow
threatens, my tecophilaea goes into a cold, unheated, but frost-free storage
room. In western NY state, outside cultivation is probably impossible in
winter; it's just too cold! (I lived in Rochester for five years and know
whereof I write.) [PS: I do put the pots under cover in my carport because of
our excessively wet winters. "Moist but not soaking wet", to quote the
estimable Jane McGary writing in another context.

2. Winter-growing. The foliage comes up quite early, and once there are leaves,
Tecophilaea needs light and air to do well.

3. Prefers a circum-neutral soil, say pH 6-7, neither very acidic nor very
limey.

4. Needs complete drought in summer, but *NOT* baking in the sun like a Central
Asian tulip.

5. Can be grown outside in the garden in mild climates like Ireland and New
Zealand.

6. Very prone to damage from slugs and snails in view of the scanty foliage.

7. Worth holding a party for when it flowers. Invite all your friends.

--
Rodger Whitlock
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Z. 7-8, cool Mediterranean climate