Rhodohypoxis-Would you believe it's a bog plant?

[Jan Jeddeloh]

I wouldn't have either until I saw it growing in Loren Russell's bog some years ago.  I still didn't really believe him but I had lots in pots for I could afford to lose a few experimenting.  So that fall I put some bulbs in my carnivorous plant bog.  I actually just nestled them into the living spaghnum moss on top.  I figured they were likely gonners.  Nope, next spring they popped up and bloomed.  I still wasn't convince since the winter had been mild. 

Well, this is now their third year in the bog and they're up again.  Last winter was the true acid test of hardiness in my Zone 8 garden.  It got down to around 13 F in November and we had another cold snap in December or January.  No snow cover so these  babies were cold.  They seem to be multiplying too.  Except for the two weeks of cold we usually get each winter our winters are rain drenched-40-50 inches between about November to at least April.

So once again the moral of the story is "Plants don't read books".  Obviously Rhodohypoxis don't require a dry winter although they may require good air circulation. 

Jan

[RickR]

Welcome to the Forum, Jan!  This does surprise me, too.  We have one Chapter member here in Minnesota who has grown a Rhodohypoxis species for more than a dozen years.  Of course, she does bring the dormant "bulbs" inside for the winter.  As I would expect most would, she grows them in a typical rock garden setting.

[Hoy]

I have read that the Rhodohypoxis can grow in seasonally saturated areas - maybe I shall try myself! Your post Jan, have encouraged me!

[Jan Jeddeloh]

I think Minnesota and Norway are both a lot colder than Portland, Oregon so if I were you guys I'd keep some in pots as back up.  They seem to be prolific vegetative propagators so within a year or so you should have some bulbs to experiment with. 

Jan, Portland, Oregon, USA zone 8

[Hoy]

I think Minnesota and Norway are both a lot colder than Portland, Oregon so if I were you guys I'd keep some in pots as back up.  They seem to be prolific vegetative propagators so within a year or so you should have some bulbs to experiment with. 

Jan, Portland, Oregon, USA zone 8

Hello Jan, thanks for advise!
How cold actually is Portland? Although Norway traditionally is considered very cold, where I live  at the West Coast the coldest month  February has a mean temperature of +1C (34F). The last winter is an exception being one of the coldest for 100 years.

[Jan Jeddeloh]

Finally getting back on this site.  How cold does Portland get?  Well, it depends on the winter.  Last winter it got down to 17F (-8C) at one point with no snow.  Usually we get a week or so in December or January where temperature drops to the low twenties (F).  Mostly our winters are very wet with about a meter of rain falling between November and May.  This year the rain hung around until July.  I despair of seeing ripe tomatoes this year. 

The rhodos bloomed quite happily this spring so they're obviously pretty tough.

Jan Jeddeloh

[Paul T]

Jan,

I was surprised when I heard this a few years ago as well.  Apparently they can naturally grow in humus layer/duff (I think I have the right word?) sitting on top of a rock strata.  In their growing season there is water constantly moving over the top of the rock strata, keeping them totally saturated but still having air for their roots in the humus layer.  I was amazed when I heard this and put a few of my pots into a shallow tray that I kept filled with water.  With water available like this I found they flowered far more prolifically and for a much longer period.  It wasn't at all what I had thought they required.  I think they do need to be kept drier when dormant though, in fact I've heard some say that any water will kill them when dormant.  Mine are potted and watered the year around (although I don't keep the tray full while they're dormant) and they grow and multiply freely for me now, whereas they used to dwindle out over time.

[Jan Jeddeloh]

Mine in the bog are wet year around including when they're dormant but since they're growing in the spaghnum layer their roots are well aerated.  I've tried them in my rock garden and various other places around my property and they all bit the dust the first winter.  Obviously air around the roots while dormant is key.  I also keep some in pots that I keep dry in winter.  This reminds me that it's about time I hauled the pot out and watered it to kick start some growth. 

Weird things will grow in spaghnum bogs.  I have to pull the woolly thyme off it and I've had Cyclamen hederifolium seed into it.

Jan