Help with Blandfordia grandiflora and Thysanotus arenarius

[daveyp1970]

i have just managed to get my hands on some seed of Blandfordia grandiflora and Thysanotus arenarius,what i want to know is are these two plants evergreen or do they drop there leaves during a rest period if they have one,or any other cultivation tips?
cheers in advance.

[Maggi Young]

This question illustrates the weakness of so many plant descriptions.... one would think that the characteristic of being evergreen or not would be pretty crucial to understanding a plant but how often is this information left out of a description? TOO OFTEN, I say!

 I think the Blandfordia is herbaceous, Davey.... but the info I have for the Thysanotus says they can be either everegreen or herbaceous! Very helpful!
http://florabase.calm.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/21208

[daveyp1970]

Maggie i am so glad somebody else has noticed.I think such a relevant thing to know.Thank you for the link,i thought maybe one of the experienced growers down-under would of had some experience with these two plants.

[Maggi Young]

I am sure some of the specialists in these plants will add their wisdom, Davey.

This business of incomplete info is one of my bugbears!  I have suffered anguish in the past as a plant died back and left me wondering if it had gone forever or was just resting..... and no mention of what it was meant to do, anywhere I could find.... horrible.... and very irritating 

Last week at work at the Radio Scotland phone in programme, I suggested to a panellist, while discussing an email that had been sent in, prior to the programme, that it was a fat l lot of use to tell people how to care for their fuchsias obverwinter, no matter what method you tell them about, if you do not also tell them when to take the plants OUT of whatever place/regime you have them in and when and how to restart growth!  It is almost a given that anyone giving advice for overwintering will NOT tell you these vital facts about restarting into growth.... drives me crazy, and not only because I then have to spend the next while on the phone answering the puzzled listeners calling in to ask!!

[maggiepie]

Last week at work at the Radio Scotland phone in programme, I suggested to a panellist, while discussing an email that had been sent in, prior to the programme, that it was a fat l lot of use to tell people how to care for their fuchsias obverwinter, no matter what method you tell them about, if you do not also tell them when to take the plants OUT of whatever place/regime you have them in and when and how to restart growth!  It is almost a given that anyone giving advice for overwintering will NOT tell you these vital facts about restarting into growth.... drives me crazy, and not only because I then have to spend the next while on the phone answering the puzzled listeners calling in to ask!!

Maggi, not trying to hijack the thread but since you have brought up the topic of overwintering fuchsias, maybe you can start a thread on overwintering plants.
I dug up a couple of hydrangeas to overwinter, ( should have left it until spring), have them sitting in bags in the garage and no idea what to do next.
I also have a number of clematis I am going to overwinter so any information would be 'very' helpful.

Am also waiting for information on the christmas bells. I think they require smoke for germination but not sure.

[daveyp1970]

Helen i found this but no where does it mention smoke to aid germination but they still might or whether they go summer dormant.http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/134837/blandfordia.pdf

[maggiepie]

David, thanks very much for the link.
I have no idea where I got the idea they needed smoke for germination.
These grew in the bush surrounding my home when I was a kid.
Was the best part of the christmas season for me.

[daveyp1970]

David, thanks very much for the link.
I have no idea where I got the idea they needed smoke for germination.
These grew in the bush surrounding my home when I was a kid.
Was the best part of the christmas season for me.

wow what a site that must of been.

[maggiepie]

wow what a site that must of been.

Yes it was, too bad digital cameras weren't around back then.

[Maggi Young]

I've heard that Blandfordias might benefit from smoke treatment too... perhaps elsewhere in this very forum.....



 Helen, I have begun a new thread to discuss overwintering methods.... it's here :
http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=6210.new#new

[daveyp1970]

I bet you(Maggie)and Helen are right,it wouldn't do any harm to pre-treat the seed  with some smoke, I'll give it ago with half of the seed and just sow the other half normally and see what happens.

[Brian Ellis]

Davey I have to admit my complete ignorance, I had to google these to see what they were, the Blandfodia is lovely and I hope you have success in germinating them both and growing them on.

[maggiepie]

 Helen, I have begun a new thread to discuss overwintering methods.... it's here :
http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=6210.new#new

Thanks Maggi 

[Maggi Young]

Re Blandfordia germination......
http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=2816.msg68349;topicseen#msg68349

[daveyp1970]

Maggie you star thank you,it seems quite hit and miss.I think i will have to cross my fingers,my legs, touch wood and put bunny rabbits foot(fake one of course)in my greenhouse and hope.