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Growing Xeronema callistemon
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Posted by goted z8-9 Van, CAN (My Page) on Tue, Mar 21, 06 at 19:52
| Hi,
There is a plant from New Zealand called Xeronema callistemon. It has a bunch of strap-like leaves, narrower than Phormium. It grows well in containers and apparently after 5-8 years of age and it gets rootbound in a large pot?(don't know how fast it grows), it has very attractive red large "bottlebrush" flowers. The drawback is that it is frost tender. Still, I figure, just bring it in to cool garage etc. in winter, since it likes being in a container.
One site says it could take a couple of degrees of frost.
So I was wondering if anyone has ever tried growing this in the PNW.
Thanks for any replies. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Growing Xeronema callistemon
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Hey goted, is this it? please cut and paste the link.
http://public.fotki.com/BambooMary/my_green_house/botanical_gardens/nhs_new_zealand/dscn3691-1.html I love this plant too and would like to know also if anyone has grown it! I have not seen it for sale anywhere, not even Mesogeo or Cistus and I would think they would have it if anyone would.... |
RE: Growing Xeronema callistemon
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- Posted by goted z8-9 Van, CAN (My Page) on
Wed, Mar 22, 06 at 2:28
Bamboomary,
WOWW!!!!!!!!!
I am 99% sure that is it!! Is that your personal photo? It's better than the ones I found on the net. Thank you!
I just hope that someone tells us where to buy it. I would grow it even if it is not so hardy. Hey, but maybe it is hardy. |
RE: Growing Xeronema callistemon
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| Hi goted, yes I took that photo last fall/spring when I was in New Zealand with the Northwest Horticultural Society. That photo was taken outside of Auckland on a peninsula that you took a ferry to get to. You might be able to grow that where you live as you are much milder than where I live but like you say, even if it's not hardy, I would still try it and protect over the winter. My NZ plant book says it is hard to cultivate and need EXTREMELY good drainage and lots of sun. I can't believe there aren't people in Calif trying to grow it! |
RE: Growing Xeronema callistemon
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- Posted by bboy z8 WA USA (My Page) on
Wed, Mar 22, 06 at 13:17
| >you are much milder< Hey Mary! Go with your thermometer that said 18F and not the one that said 8F. Antique Rose Farm, down on the flat south of you where there is no air drainage had 17F. You are in USDA 8. |
RE: Growing Xeronema callistemon
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| I had this for a while. I got it at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show for $30. The vendor was Trans Pacific Nursery, but I would not recommend them in general. It was not difficult to grow, but it froze in the move-of-05. That was kind of a bummer. It was potted in a mix of coarse pumice and bark. I never fed it or potted it up and it always looked great and kept growing, albeit slowly. There is a nice one at the UC Berkeley Botanic Gardens in CA. I would not try this in the ground in the Northwest; it is simply too tender. But it does not need a lot of heat to grow well. |
RE: Growing Xeronema callistemon
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| frost tender (below 27f) even here in a protected spot 100 yds. from the beach near coos bay. very tolerant of salt wind and drought under coastal conditions. got mine in california. |
RE: Growing Xeronema callistemon
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Hi George, Did you mail order your plant or bring it up with you? Do you know of a source for the plant? I have a greenhouse and could adequately protect it over the winter.
BTW I peeked at your 'page', you have a great job! |
RE: Growing Xeronema callistemon
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| bamboomary, it was purchased at a nursery near watsonville, california---i can probably find the name for you but they are not mail-order so you would have to go down to them. you might also try transpacific nursery (www.worldplants.com)which does mail-order and despite other folks experiences has always been good to me. cistus design nursery near portland might be a possible source of plants or info since they specialize in the rare and exotic. good luck. btw, yes, for a certified plant nut i have a great job!!! |
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