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Spring Bulbs Start In Autumn

Plan now for certain spring flowers.

Autumn is time for planting. This does not apply to all plants, but is certainly relevant to spring bulbs. Many have been available from nurseries for a while already. They all are dormant by late summer or early autumn. So, they are unaware of their relocation from their farms to home gardens. They will learn about it when the resume growth next year.

Actually, though, spring bulbs begin growth sooner than that. It merely does not become visible until foliage emerges above its soil after midwinter. Roots begin to disperse when their soil is dampened either by irrigation or rain. Growth is initially slow because of cool autumn and winter weather. It accelerates as weather warms, as spring replaces winter.

Spring bulbs know how the seasons change from temperature. They adjust their growth accordingly. They know that they can disperse roots early. They delay other growth until after a specific duration of cool weather, or vernalization. From the nursery, many spring bulbs are prechilled, or already vernalized. That is why they are so conducive to forcing.

Summer bulbs prefer later planting because they do not need vernalization to bloom. In fact, some are susceptible to rot if they must overwinter in cool and damp soil. They are more resilient once established, after their first summer. These include gladiola, canna, calla, dahlia, tuberous begonia and most lily. They become available after spring bulbs.

Because winter is so mild here, some spring bulbs are unreliable after their first season. They may not receive the degree of chilling, or vernalization, that they require. Hyacinth and tulip, for examples, may bloom only once for their first spring. Afterward, they might not be reliably perennial. Dutch iris and Dutch crocus are only somewhat more reliable.

Freesia and narcissus, including daffodil, are some of the most reliable of spring bulbs. Within favorable conditions, they can multiply and slowly migrate. Grape hyacinth might actually become slightly invasive. Ranunculus and anemone may be reliably perennial, but may not bloom much. Bluebells are supposedly very reliable but remain uncommon.

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Six on Saturday: First Rain! Etcetera

It feels like autumn now. The first rain of the rainy season has come and gone, and more is predicted for Thursday and Friday.

1. Rain fell from the sky last Wednesday. It was not much, but it was enough to fill a few puddles and delay irrigation. The first rain of the rainy season is major news for us here.

2. Pittosporum tobira ‘Variegata’ mock orange and Acer circinatum, vine maple needed to be removed from their two other landscapes, so live here in their new landscape now.

3. Salvia elegans, pineapple sage is from the same landscape that the mock orange came from. It is scrawny now because it had been crowded. It should be fluffier next summer.

4. Clivia miniata ‘Variegata’ Natal lily with broad creamy white variegation has the same name ‘Variegata’ as a cultivar with thin yellow variegation. One was likely misidentified.

5. Hedychium gardnerianum, kahili ginger is still blooming. It would likely be blooming more impressively if I had taken better care of it. Pradhan’s ginger is also still blooming.

6. Chrysanthemum X morifolium, chrysanthemum is a bit too refined for my taste. They obviously did not grow here but were added from four inch pots. They sure are colorful.

Anyone who would like to participate in this meme should peruse this participant guide for Six on Saturday.

Posted on by tonytomeo

Orchid Cactus

Epiphyllum bloom as late as October.

More than seven thousand cultivars of orchid cactus are hybrids of various species. The majority are progeny of the genus Disocactus, which was formerly Epiphyllum. They are of the family Cactaceae, but are very different from familiar cacti. Most are from tropical forests of Central America where they grow as epiphytes. They literally hang from trees.

Orchid cactus, like all cacti, lack conventional foliage. What seems to be foliage is really their flat green stems. Their white, pink, red, orange or yellow flowers bloom for summer or about now. Flowers are about five or six inches wide or possibly wider, and alluringly fragrant. Some cultivars bloom only at night, then close their big flowers during the day.

Orchid cactus, unlike other cacti, prefer partial shade. They might burn if too exposed to direct sunlight during warm weather. They are also vulnerable to frost. Irrigation should maintain soil moisture, except during winter. A dry resting period of about two months in winter stimulates bloom. Nitrogen fertilizer can inhibit bloom. Orchid cactus propagates very easily from stem cuttings in loose media.

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Family Trees For All Plants

Sequoia sempervirens of the family Cupressaceae.

Botanical nomenclature is a standardized system of naming plants. It can be confusing since it is all Latin. Some of it is Latinized from other languages or is Latinized names of botanists. For home garden applications, it includes the name of a genus and a species. Variety names are more specific. A less specific botanical classification is that of family.

Hence, varieties are classifications within a species. Species are classifications within a genus. Genera (which is plural for genus) are classifications within a family. It should be no wonder why common names are more common than botanical names. However, the problem with common names is that they are regionally variable. They are not universal.

Taxonomy is the standardized system of classification for all biological organisms. It can be more involved or confusing than nomenclature. Families fit into orders, which fit into classes, which fit into divisions, which fit into kingdoms. Any average garden enthusiast certainly does not need to know all these categories. Such is for professional botanists.

Familiarity with certain botanical families might be useful, though. It provides insight into characteristics of some or most members of particular families. Different species of one genus are generally similar to each other. Similarly, different genera of one family might be similar to each other. Such similarities are not likely as obvious, but they are helpful.

For example, coastal redwood, or Sequoia sempervirens is of the family Cupressaceae. All members of this family are coniferous. With only three exceptions, all are evergreen. Incense cedar, or Calocedrus decurrens, is also of the extensive family Cupressaceae. Therefore, without prior experience, it is easy to assume that it is an evergreen conifer.

Some families are very diverse, though. The Rosaceae family includes strawberries and apples, which do not seem related. The Cactaceae family is famously endemic to desert climates. However, several of its genera are conversely endemic to tropical rain forests. Therefore, expertise with botanical families is useful for some but not all generalizations.

Posted on by tonytomeo · 15 Comments

Six on Saturday: Six Mix

My Six again lack a common theme. These are just random pictures.

1. Coleonema pulchellum, breath of Heaven is supposed to bloom for spring but actually blooms whenever it wants to. This was supposed to be a low grower but is a large shrub.

2. Salvia greggii ‘Hot Lips’ autumn sage might actually be Salvia microphylla. I learned it as Salvia greggii. It is blooming right on time but it also blooms whenever it wants to.

3. Salvia greggii, autumn sage also might actually be Salvia microphylla. It blooms for autumn only but is more colorful than ‘Hot Lips’. Its bloom is the color of perennial pea.

4. Lathyrus latifolia, perennial pea grows and blooms through spring and early summer to then die back through late summer. A few that get water may bloom until about now.

5. Trifolium pratense, red clover happens to be a weed, but blooms with these delightful pale pink flowers. Bees are fond of them. It would be nice if more weeds were this pretty.

6. Echinops ritro, globe thistle is beginning to bloom again. It is relatively new to me, so I am unfamiliar with its bloom season or life cycle. I am pleased that it is so happy here.

Anyone who would like to participate in this meme should peruse this participant guide for Six on Saturday.

Posted on by tonytomeo · 4 Comments

Pradhan’s Ginger Lily

Pradhan’s ginger lily is alluringly fragrant.

Ginger lilies prefer spring planting to autumn planting. This is because they are in bloom for autumn. They grow through summer to get ready. Pradhan’s ginger lily, Hedychium spicatum ‘Pradhanii’, for example, is blooming now. After bloom, deadheading neatens remaining foliage until later in winter. Then, such foliage is tired enough for cutting back.

Pradhan’s ginger lily grows by dispersing thick and vigorous rhizomes. Foliar canes are about five feet high, and lean towards sunlight. Leaves extend from side to side of each cane. Floral trusses of inch wide flowers are about seven inches high, and three inches wide. Flowers are peachy pink and fragrant like Southern magnolia bloom, but stronger.

All gingers enjoy warm and humid situations. Within local semiarid climates, they prefer partial shade through midday. Sunlight promotes bloom, but may burn exposed foliage. Soil should be organically rich and loose. Irrigation should be sufficient to maintain even moisture within such soil. Fertilizer enhances green foliar color and may promote bloom. Pradhan’s ginger lily blooms somewhat earlier than other ginger lilies bloom.

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Autumn Is Time For Planting

Autumn is time for spring bulbs.

“Autumn is for planting.” This is a common marketing campaign among nurseries at this time of year. Also, it is generally true. Of course, as with most generalizations, there are some exceptions. Bare root season is during winter. Summer bulbs prefer planting after the coldest weather of winter. Many species nonetheless prefer planting during autumn.

Cooling weather is less stressful for new plants while they begin to disperse their roots. Yet, the soil is still warm enough to promote healthy root dispersion. Later, rain will keep the soil evenly moist and provide all the moisture new plants need. Even if growth is not evident above the soil, it is probably active below. Roots grow until cold winter weather.

Simultaneously, most common pathogens and weeds are less vigorous during autumn. Many diseases need spring and summer warmth to proliferate. Insects are similarly less active now that the weather is cooler. Although weeds have dispersed their seed, some of it will not grow until next year. New plants can have the whole garden to themselves.

Planting in autumn gives the plants an advantage next spring too. Although they appear dormant through winter, they slowly continue to disperse roots. By spring, their roots are more dispersed than they would be if planted in spring. They are ready to grow as soon as the weather warms after winter. There is less delay to disperse their sustaining roots.

Many bulbs and bulb like plants are naturally dormant by late summer or early autumn. Spring bulbs, such as daffodil, hyacinth, crocus, tulip and allium, will soon be in season. Not only are they dormant, but some also bloom better after vernalization by winter chill. Bearded iris are already dormant and ready for division. So are many larger perennials.

Because some plants are dormant or visually tired by now, some nurseries have sales. This could be a good time to purchase certain items at a discount. Daylily is an example of a perennial that begins to defoliate about now. Nurseries do not want to keep them in stock while they are dormant and mostly bare. New foliage develops shortly after winter.