Leucogenes grandiceps

[Neil]

After a search about on the internet and failing, I have come for some help, will Leucogenes grandiceps grow in an Alkaline soil?

[Leucogenes]

As expected, I take the liberty of sharing my previous experiences. 😁😁

To the best of my knowledge, Leucogenes grows best in a mixture of acid rhododendron soil, fine chippings and coarse sand. All in equal parts. I use this mixture for all native NZ. The painful losses of the past are due to other aspects.

Some also cultivate Leucogenes completely in the sand. But that's not possible with me, because unfortunately I'm only at home on weekends. Long dry periods are not good...

But here there are a few professionals in this field... perhaps other information will come.

Cheers
Thomas

[Neil]

 Thomas, thank you.  I thought that would be the case, I got some seeds in last years exchange, and they are just germinating now, they are on a neutral soil at the moment.  I wanted to put them in my rockery, which is limestone,  so may prick out a couple out and plant them and see what happens. 

[Leucogenes]

 Hello Neil

I am happy for you that you can show a successful germination.

With a calcareous substrate I would be careful with this species. At least I have never heard that it works. I think that you will also be successful with a neutral mixture...but as I said...I am only a layman. ;-)

Good luck

Thomas

[Neil]

It germinated in neutral soil.  I have no room to grow it in a pot so it is going to have to survive!

[ChrisB]

My best one I’ve had many years, growing in neutral, impoverished soil in a Belfast sink that is covered in hypertufa.  How any of the plants survive there I’ll never know, I really don’t feed the soil and it is mixed with a penstemon, dianthus, and other plants. I’ve only ever been successful with one cutting so far.  I did assume they would be easy as they are rosettes, but they seem to root ok in moist sand but when potted up they shrivel and die.  So they are on my difficult to grow list now ...

[t00lie]

Thomas, thank you.  I thought that would be the case, I got some seeds in last years exchange, and they are just germinating now, they are on a neutral soil at the moment.  I wanted to put them in my rockery, which is limestone,  so may prick out a couple out and plant them and see what happens.

Mine is wedged in between a couple of limestone rocks growing in river sand Neil.  I presume there is some leaching of limestone however I took it's 'winter coat' off recently and it seems to be okay.
Best of luck with your endeavours.
Cheers.

[Leucogenes]

Did you grow this specimen yourself from seeds, or buy it as an adult plant... Dave?

In general, I would be interested to know whether other collectors also die off individual shoots here... as with my various specimens. That happens again and again with my Leucogenes.

 

[t00lie]

Did you grow this specimen yourself from seeds, or buy it as an adult plant... Dave?

I received it as a gift Thomas .

[Neil]

Dave that is good too know so hopefully it will be okay.

 

Mine is wedged in between a couple of limestone rocks growing in river sand Neil.  I presume there is some leaching of limestone however I took it's 'winter coat' off recently and it seems to be okay.
Best of luck with your endeavours.
Cheers.

[t00lie]

In general, I would be interested to know whether other collectors also die off individual shoots here... as with my various specimens. That happens again and again with my Leucogenes.

 

Hello Thomas
I thought you might be interested in the following few images of plants in the wild that show stem as well as lower leaf die back.









Cheers Dave.

[Leucogenes]

Hello Thomas
I thought you might be interested in the following few images of plants in the wild that show stem as well as lower leaf die back.

(Attachment Link)

(Attachment Link)

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(Attachment Link)

Cheers Dave.

Hi Dave... thank you for the incredibly beautiful pictures. In the wilderness these jewels still look much more beautiful. I believe to recognize that also in these pictures some shoots desert. Especially the last picture is phenomenal. To photograph it from this perspective, you kneeled down...this species deserved it. 😃

I have just taken two pictures fast, on which one can recognize possibly the dying off of individual branches.

Even if some of my specimens don't bloom, they make my heart beat faster.

Thanks again...and more of it at any time.

Cheers
Thomas

[t00lie]

Hi Dave... thank you for the incredibly beautiful pictures. In the wilderness these jewels still look much more beautiful. I believe to recognize that also in these pictures some shoots desert. Especially the last picture is phenomenal. To photograph it from this perspective, you kneeled down...this species deserved it. 😃

I have just taken two pictures fast, on which one can recognize possibly the dying off of individual branches.

Even if some of my specimens don't bloom, they make my heart beat faster.

Thanks again...and more of it at any time.

Cheers
Thomas

Thanks Thomas

I will try 

Cheers Dave.

[Neil]

I took the plunge and planted it outside, it survived the winter, the drought in spring and has now flowered 🙂

[David Lyttle]

I took the plunge and planted it outside, it survived the winter, the drought in spring and has now flowered 🙂

Neil, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but the plant in your photo is Anaphalioides bellidioides