Tropaeolum hookerianum
Jane McGary (Wed, 12 Mar 2014 17:21:34 PDT)
Bea asked
Since we are discussing tropaeolum, I got some seeds of tropaeolum
polyphyllum from Chileflora a couple of years ago and planted then in a
quart pot. I had some germination but did not look after the seedlings
properly and last summer there was no sign of life in the pot. I kept in
anyway in a cool greenhouse over winter and to my surprise I have three
shoots in the pot now. The tubers worked themselves to the bottom of the
pot and I can see then through the drainage holes. Now what? Should I repot
it to a much larger pot? If so, when?
Beaver Creek Nurseries had it on their site that tropaeolum polyphyllum is
hardy to zone 5. Is it true? Could I plant them in my gravel cactus bed
then?
This is a very large-growing plant, with mature specimens producing
stems over a meter in length. I have seen it growing well in a
washtub with a number of holes drilled in the bottom, set on bricks.
In nature it grows in sandy, gravelly places in full sun. A half wine
barrel would also be appropriate.
I am surprised that Beaver Creek Nursery (located in eastern British
Columbia and growing most plants in greenhouses) says it is hardy to
Zone 5 (winter lows of minus 10 degrees F, I think). They may be
basing this on its elevational range in the Andes, but I always
regard plants from its region as experiencing similar conditions in
winter to those found in the mid elevations of California's Sierra
Nevada. It might survive such temperatures with constant snow cover,
but I wouldn't leave it outdoors where I live in western Oregon
(theoretically Zone 7, though USDA zones do not apply here) without
covering it against winter wet. I think my friend with the plant in
the washtub took it into his garage in winter.
Jane McGary
Portland, Oregon, USA