2018 - Robert's botantical adventures in Northern California

[hamparstum]

Robert, thank you for posting P.heterodoxus picture. I searched a bit about it in the Calflora site. Its obvious that it is a high altitude species. At present I've only had P.glaber alpinus flowering for me. It is also a montane species. My plants are doing fine and have grown even during winter (in pots, inside my unheated greenhouse).The interesting fact is that they started flowering in mid spring and never stopped doing so until hard frosts in late fall (mid May here). I strongly suspect that P. heterodoxus would follow the same path, in spite of  summer drought, with perhaps a sporadic wetting. The Calflora site growing/flowering chart for P.heterodoxus, includes September also,  which makes me believe that in a less exacting heat that species will continue active for at least a full month longer. A very interesting species to bring into rock garden cultivation! this kind of observation is what fascinates me of your wildflowers ( specially the Pents). In different environments outside their original range they may perform surprisingly well and different...and even for the better!

[cohan]

cohan,

There are so many details to the changes that are taking place in California. A long essay or book could be written on the topic.

One glaring example of habitat change in California is the loss of the perennial bunch grass habitat in the lower and upper Sonoran life zones. This habitat type has almost been completely eliminated from the California landscape. As Arturo has rightly pointed out, such habitats have been so altered by humans that they could only be restored with extreme effort and wisdom. The changes in this grassland/savannah habitat has complete altered the behavior of fire in parts of California. And not for the good! Sadly with climate change this habitat type is slowly working its way into the transition zone. I am documenting these changes. Due to climate change, the extreme fires California has experienced over the past few years will also altered our landscape too. The habitat types that existed before the fires will not likely return in the same form at the same elevations.

This is a very simplified explanation. Feel free to ask more questions and I will do the best I can with them.

(Attachment Link)

The last flowers of Penstemon heterodoxus var. heterodoxus in our Sacramento garden this year.

I will be posting more photographs from our garden as I can under the topic, looking good in the northern hemisphere. 

Not simple anywhere, of course, less so in a region with a lot of localised climates and endemism..

[Robert]

There were a few things that I did not make clear on yesterday’s post. First, it is the annual, invasive, non-native grass species that are starting to encroach into the upper portions of the yellow pine belt (transition zone) in California. The invasion started during the Gold Rush of 1849. With climate change, the invasive grass species are now moving into areas that they previously did not occupy. Some nasty non-native dicots are coming along for the ride too. Commercial logging, destructive wildfires, and off-road vehicles exasperate the situation and create feedback loops that reinforce the invasion of non-native species. In general, the native perennial bunch grass can hold their own, however once they have been destroyed in a location by commercial logging or extremely hot wildfires, they generally do not return and are replaced by the non-native annual grasses. The non-native annual grasses are partly responsible for the hot, explosive wildfires we currently experience. This is especially true in the lower and upper Sonoran life zones where they have more or less completely replaced the native perennial bunch grasses.

Arturo,

The Penstemon heterodoxus var. heterodoxus pictured has done fairly well with a bit of afternoon shade. Our Sacramento garden is a bit extreme and it appears that they benefit from the afternoon shade. Also, it might be advisable to use the advice on the Calflora and CNPS web sites with discretion. The sweeping generalizations may or may not be helpful in your attempts to cultivate any given species. Too often, a species needs very specific conditions to grow well in cultivation. You will not find these specific details on the Califlora or CNPS sites. It is in the details that we find the means to grow a wide range of species well. This and many other things underscore the value of this forum! 

[hamparstum]

Robert, I couldn't agree with you any further:
<It is in the details that we find the means to grow a wide range of species well. This and many other things underscore the value of this forum!  >
     This is exactly what a place like this ought to allow us worldwide: the exchange of details of how plants grow, were grown, were multiplied, also are faring in the wild. All of this is a continuum, of knowledge that ought to be shared to anyone interested. That is why I chose the genus Penstemon to test all of this in the details. Your expertise both in the natural world and in your various gardens, plus your nursery experience all adds up. I fully rely on that.
     If one, like myself, starts cultivating Erythroniums, where does he/she sensibly start from? From Ian Young's e-book about Erythroniums!! published right here!!!!! Although I hope that his e.book becomes a trendsetter, I've yet to see others doing the same with other genera 
     I will take your indication about P.heterodoxus needing afternoon shade. Possibly these are details that explain better how this genus has such a wide diversity and spread in many otherwise very harsh conditions. Thank you for taking the trouble in explaining it to us.
     I found extremely useful your explanations about how invasive annual grasses are changing the patterns of the natural long term ecological regulatory mechanisms: wildfires. What you are describing is a push towards a much less evolved ecosystem, simplified by the needs (practical and financial) of commercial logging. It is clear that it is not sustainable and the resource forest is being devastated and destroyed. These recent wildfires are a proof of it. The whole concept of sustainable forestry up there is no longer tenable. Unfortunately, few people are aware of the magnitude of the disasters and its consequences. Slowly, however evidence will be unavoidable and possibly the only option will be no more commercial large scale logging. No more heavy machinery, no more off road vehicles etc. In my wishful thinking. I imagine in the future, California find itself faced with a negative gold rush.... . :Those that flee from there, because it is no longer the promised land!
     Arturo

[Robert]

Arturo,

Based on what you have told me about your growing conditions Penstemon hetrodoxus var. heterodoxus may perform better in full sun in your garden. You can look over the data below and come to your own conclusions. In time I will have data on soil temperatures, moisture content, pH, rainfall pH, etc. I have enough data now to construct mathematical models on various ecosystems based on many inputs. It is a never-ending project, as the models can always be improved. Kind of a hobby of mine. Anyway, the results can be extremely interesting and at times relevant to gardening.

Site LC 4 below best matches the climatic conditions where Penstemon heterodoxus var. heterodoxus grows. As I can, I purchase more data loggers so I can record other variables such as those listed above. When I have more data, I will be able to be able to provide more detailed information.

Tomorrow is outing day. 

Data for July 2018

Sacramento
elevation 23 feet
Average temperatures
High: 94.58 F, 34.77 C
Low: 63.26 F, 17.37 C
Wind
Prevailing: SW
4 mph, 6.4 km/hr
Gust: 6 mph, 9.7 km/hr
Average 4:00 p.m.
Relative Humidity: 33%
Dew Point: 61 F (16.1 C)
Number of days
> = 100 F (37.8 C): 3
> = 90 F (32.2 C): 26
Precipitation: 0.00 in.


Placerville
elevation 1,460 feet
Average temperatures
High: 95.29 F, 35.16 C
Low: 62.61 F, 17.01 C
Wind
Prevailing: SW
2 mph, 3.2 km/hr
Gust: 5 mph, 8.0 km/hr
Average 4:00 p.m.
Relative Humidity: 27%
Dew Point: 55 F (12.8 C)
Number of days
> = 100 F (37.8 C): 3
> = 90 F (32.2 C): 28
Precipitation: 0.00 in.


Site LC 4
elevation 6,700 feet
Average temperatures
High: 78.59 F, 25.89 C
Low: 44.55 F, 6.97 C
Wind
Prevailing: W
4 mph, 6.4 km/hr
Gust: 6 mph, 9.7 km/hr
Average 4:00 p.m.
Relative Humidity: 36%
Dew Point: 46 F (7.8 C)
Number of days
> = 100 F (37.8 C): 0
> = 90 F (32.2 C): 0
> = 80 F (26.7 C): 12
Precipitation: 0.00 in.

[hamparstum]

Robert, thank you so much! The LC site is very close to my outdoor growing conditions! This kind of detailed data is invaluable! However your Sacramento conditions also show the plasticity of the species since you have been able to grow it there as well!.
     The more I think about learning about new wildflower introductions until one finds the best conditions, is to grow samples in pots (tall ones) and placed in the ground in different positions, until I find which is the best here. Absolutely fascinating method!
      Thank you again!
      Arturo

[Robert]

Arturo,

I am currently on Peavine Ridge (6:48 a.m.).

I checked my first weather site at 3,640 ft this morning. 56 F with a strong down slope wind, east at 5 mph. Most likely it will be a warm day today. The down slope east wind generally brings warm weather to us. This morning I will be setting up a new weather station before moving on to down load data from my HOBOs. Then off to the Tells Peak region.

The sunrise over the Crystal Range was gorgeous. I hope the photographs turned out. I am very pleased the information was useful to you. Cool!

[Robert]

The photograph of the sunrise over the Crystal Range did not turn out very well, however I had an excellent outing yesterday.

The other photographs look good and I have much information to share.   

[hamparstum]

Robert, finally a clear smoke less sky! What a relief from even far away. I hope it lasts for the rest of the season.
Arturo

[Robert]

What a turn around in the weather!

Yesterday's high temperature in Sacramento was 77 F (25 C). This was a record low, high temperature for us. In addition, the smoke has returned. It was smoky all day yesterday.

On the brighter side...

Despite a busy work schedule I will have another outing tomorrow. I am still looking forward to writing up the report on the last outing. It was extremely enjoyable, interesting, with some great finds.

[Robert]

I will have a busy day today in the Sierra Nevada.

At 7:00 a.m. it is 50 F on Peavine RIdge. The sky is clear and a cool breeze is blowing out of the north, 5 mph. It seems like it is going to be a fine day for an outing.   

[Robert]

I had another excellent outing on Thursday.

I started the outing at Dark Lake (photograph) and traveled toward Barrett Lake. The trail is a Jeep Road (a big mess these days), however there is still plenty to see if one walks away from the Jeep trail. I first hiked this route in 1970 and remember a great deal from this hike. I hope to explain all of this in my report.

Now I have two outings to report on. The good news is that I will have a break from work soon and can start writing about my adventures. 

[Robert]

Here in Northern California the weather has shifted dramatically over the last 10 days or so. The temperatures have cooled from daytime high temperatures in the mid to low 90 F (32.2 C +) range to 78 F to 85 F (25.6 C to 29.4 C). In the Sacramento area the marine layer has extended into the lower Sacramento Valley during the morning, bring broken stratus. In the Sierra Nevada where the cooling marine layer is blocked, high temperatures have been equal to or slightly above some Sacramento Valley locations! On the other hand, there has been frost in the mountain valleys at the highest locations.



It was nice to see clouds over the Crystal Range rather than smoke from wildfires. In general, the toughs passing to the north have brought cooling temperatures, but little moisture in the upper atmosphere. Some rain would be nice, but does not look to be in the forecast at this time. The short-term forecast is for slightly warming temperatures over the next few days and continued dry weather.

My schedule has shifted and I am now able to work on the reports from the last two outings. With good fortune I will have Part I posted in the next few days. 

[Robert]

I was back in the mountains again today, my senses alive feeling the pulse of the surroundings, the sweet air moving into every recess of my lungs, and my blood pumping vigorously through my veins.



The late blooming Lessingia leptoclada can be found in large patches, the purple flowers emerging in defiance of the parched dry earth.



I will have to visit the distant peaks on another day.

[Robert]

Lyons Creek is basically dry. To date, even during drought years there are always a few large pools of water where the trout can hide and survive until the water levels begin to rise again. At this point there is no rain in the forecast. Generally rain does not arrive in our area until mid October, however there are always surprises. The monsoonal season has not been very impressive on the western slope of the Crystal Range this season. Conditions are very dry.



There was a bit of convective cloudiness off to the north. In the lower sections of the Lyons Creek basin it was quite cool this morning, 29 F (-1.7 C). Even the daytime high temperature was autumn like, 67 F, (19.4 C). At 2:30 p.m. I measured the relative humidity, 33%, and the dew point, 37 F (2.8 C). A strong southwest wind blew during much of the day; 4 gusting to 6 in the Lyons Creek Basin and 10 gusting to 15 mph on the crest of Peavine Ridge.



Late in the day a bit of convective cloudiness formed along the southern edge on the South Fork canyon.

Conditions were perfect for QSO through the Placerville repeater. I easily hit the Placerville repeater at Lyons Creek. I do monitor the Placerville repeater on my outings. QSO concerning botany and current weather conditions is enjoyable.

I have a good start on my next posting, the 16 August outing to Van Vleck and the Tells Peak region. I should have something to post in a day or two.