Though I'm not a Californian, but it sound good for the plant.
Anyway, I found Ortho. gurkenii grows better in a little bit acid organic soil
yet with good drainage. It can be grown in full sun too if given enough water.

Mines grow by side with other xerics in full sun.

{{gwi:442438}}

BTW Hope you will be good luck with the job (^_*)

Chanin in 'Xeric Garden'

Hi Itecato, good luck with the O. gurkenii.

Chanin, always just love your xeric patches. Is that variegated plant Ae. recurvata 'Aztec Gold'? growing in full sun? I just bought one yesterday with the intention of putting it in a spot with full morning sun, but now I've got it and the variegation has such a great contrast between bright dark green and yellow, I'd hate to bleach it. Very interested in your experiences with this plant, and I'd love to hear from anyone else as well. Cheers, Paul

Hi Guys

I grow mine in full sun. As Chanin mentions good soil and plenty water will see them get nice and big. They seem pretty tough though and plants growing in less than ideal conditions still look great but only smaller.

Dennis

Hi Paul, yes that's 'Aztec Gold'
I agree with you that they do better in filtered sun.
Some of mine got bleach when exposed to full sun.
They also look better and have more vigourous roots in Newzealand pine-bark mixed.

Anyway, in our rainy season, 'Aztec Gold' prone to fungi (Anthracnose) disease.
I have to spray them with fungicide.

Hi Chanin, thanks a lot for the info. By the way, those O. gurkenii in your pic are just stunning. Cheers, Paul