Weldenia candida: switching hemispheres

[Rodger Whitlock]

I have received a small division of Weldenia candida from the Southern Hemisphere. Since the seasons are out of sync by six months, clearly it needs special treatment until it has adjusted its internal calendar.

My plan is to pot it in nearly dry pumice, refrigerate it in a sealed plastic bag until sometime after New Year 2010, then allow it to come to life at its own pace. That will probably be earlier than the normal growth pattern in this climate, so summer 2010 will seem longer than usual.

Comments?

[mark smyth]

Were you not able to find one in the US or bought one in the UK?

[Lesley Cox]

Well that didn't take long, given that NZ Post now specifies 5-15 days for airmail. Just one to go then.

When I brought home mine from the UK, it was in full summer growth so was washed clean and transported, then potted up on arrival in mid winter (June 1993). It simply went on growing and didn't die down until the following early winter (May 1994). so I'm loathe to suggest anything but I suspect it will WANT to grow now (there are good shoots on others here though no new roots yet) in which case I think I'd let it and keep it frost free until your coming winter has finished.

This may be no help at all.

[shelagh]

Our Weldenia is suffering from the slugs at the moment but it is still in full growth although the flowers were over about 6/8 weeks ago.

[Maggi Young]

Look on the bright side, Shelagh: if this wet weather continues, all the slugs will drown

[Roma]

Speaking of slugs, I harvested 3 cauliflowers today from a club root resistant variety.  Sure enough lovely healthy roots unlike the cabbages growing beside them,  but also, unlike the cabbages which were shredded, the leaves were completely free of slug damage and there were none hiding in the cauliflowers.  I find this most intriguing but will wait till I cut the other 5 before I decide it is more than coincidence.
We haven't eaten any yet so do not know if they taste OK to humans!