The plant world of Patagonia

[Leucogenes]

The filigree beauty of this cuttings of Bolax gummifera can only be seen under great magnification. It is again a "mutation" with a bluish coloration.

[Leucogenes]

Draba antarctica has come well over the winter.

[Leucogenes]

The tiny flowers of Azorella ameghinoi are so inconspicuous that you hardly notice them.  But a sign that she feels well...until now.

[Steve Garvie]

Calceolaria uniflora -I’m not sure if this is the real deal or not. Raised from seed purchased from one of the Czech guys. It can’t tolerate a Scottish winter in the open but is fine with overhead protection.

[Leucogenes]

Hello Steve...

I am not a real specialist for the incredibly beautiful flora of Patagonia. I recognize on your photo a somewhat jagged edge of the leaves...is that correct ? It could be that Calceolaria darwinii produces different variants. I don't know. Fact is that you must be a very happy person. What a great glory. 

I attach again some photos from the past...then you see the details of my former copies.

[Steve Garvie]

Thanks Thomas.
Looking at your images I don’t think my plants can be the true darwinii/uniflora.

[Leucogenes]

Thanks Thomas.
Looking at your images I don’t think my plants can be the true darwinii/uniflora.

Steve...
Your Calceolaria is perhaps a hybrid? Because I clearly recognize the white bar at the "lip".
Anyway, I am totally enthusiastic about the upright standing toothed foliage and the shape and colour of the flowers. The number of flowers is considerable.
I hope that you can harvest some valuable seeds and preserve this treasure.

[Leucogenes]

For three years Calceolaria penellii has stood with me in the rock garden... without cover. This year she blooms for the first time... Viva Argentina 😎

[Leucogenes]

Does anyone here have any experience with the cultivation of Rhodophiala araucana? I was able to discover some seedlings today. My first idea would be a very permeable substrate with high lava content...in a high pot.

I am grateful for any hint... as always.

[johnw]

No experience specifically to R. araucana though I grow it but haven't flowered it.  I initially got a Hippeastrum elwesii from Harry Jans that came from Göteborg BG in 1996.  Later it was id'ed as Rhodophiala elwesii, a few years later R.araucana, then R. montana. I have a feeling it will change yet again.  In any event I have grown a dozen or more spp. since then and even flowered a few.  Your instincts are right - deep pot but don't overpot, neck of the bulb, once a good size, above the grit mulch.  They can havean extremely long neck so can pull themselves deep down. They take awhile to settle in when repotted - I must do all of mine this year.  An extremely well-drained mix with lots of grit and pumice seems to suit them.  I avoid peat for fear of stagnospora curtisii though have never seen it on them. Iif placing outdoors in summer be wary of the narcissuz bulb fly - i lost a very big pot of my first one which was a great flowerer as I set it outside for a week, the timing must have been perfect.  As the roots seem perennial I give all the ocassional drink during the dormant period despite advice against this. I've tried to gather information on the species requirements their growing periods - Chilaeflora/PBS and there was one site dedicated to Rhodophiala but it seems tpo have disappeared - and, that information is for the most part contradictory & suspect.  PBS says araucana spends the dormant period very dry under snow so should be able to tolerant a dry poeriod which may induce bud formation.  Good luck.

john.

[Leucogenes]

Hello John

Many thanks for the extensive information on further cultivation. Very well described and very helpful to me. Great.
I have sunk special pots for alpine plants (Townsendia, Acantholimon etc.) with very long roots in the sand.   I will mix a special substrate of lava, pumice and only very few humus components.

Thanks again
Thomas

[johnw]

Thomas   - If plunging in a sand bed be aware the bulb may escape through the drainage hole.

john

[Leucogenes]

Thomas   - If plunging in a sand bed be aware the bulb may escape through the drainage hole.

john

John... what an important clue. Many thanks for that. So I will place a small piece of water permeable fleece between the drainage layer and the actual substrate. Then the bulb cannot flee.
This is exactly how I will proceed with Solenomelus segethii.

Thanks
Thomas

[Leucogenes]

Another newcomer from Chile...Acaena alpina. Here the foliage and the upright growth form is probably the special thing. If someone should have already experiences with it, I would be pleased about all information.

Thanks
Thomas

[ashley]

Just take care Thomas 
Recently I found Acaena ovalifolia rapidly spreading along forestry roads as an invasive species