Lewisias in Texas
In late spring I purchased 3 potted Lewisias from a display in front of Central Market, a high end grocery store in Austin,Texas. They were $8.00 a plant. I was shocked to see them for sale down here because I know they would prove difficult in our heat and humidity. I could not resist them though.
Soon 2 out of 3 were dead- I think from getting their crowns wet. The third plant is so far doing well on the edge of my shady east facing front porch. It only gets a little morning sun and is protected from overhead water by the overhanging roof. I water it once a week from the bottom by setting its pot in about 2" of water for 10-15 minutes. It is still in the original pot with what looks like a peat mixture.
I plan on repotting it soon into a gritty mixture of decomposed granite, halite pebbles and about 20%-30% rich compost with its crown high and dry with a mulch of halite or some other rocks.
I hope that it can survive and reflower. This summer the temperature here has been over 100 almost every day and I fear that Lewisias would just melt in our full sun. I would welcome any thoughts and suggestions on cultivating Lewisias in the south.
terrestrial_man
terrestrial_man
vonfilmOriginal Author
terrestrial_man
vonfilmOriginal Author
terrestrial_man