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Author Topic: Physoplexis comosa  (Read 2543 times)
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Gene Mirro
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« on: June 04, 2011, 06:24:43 PM »
A flat of Physoplexis comosa:



Closeup:



I haven't tried them outside yet; worried about slugs.
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SW Washington state, 600 ft. altitude
Lori S.
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« Reply #1 on: June 05, 2011, 12:02:22 AM »
What a beautifully-grown tray of gems there!  When you do plant them out, will they go in troughs or a rock garden?  What conditions do they favour?  (I've only killed them so far.  Tongue )
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Lori
Calgary, Alberta, Canada - Zone 3
-30 C to +30 C (rarely!); elevation ~1130m; annual precipitation ~40 cm
Booker
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« Reply #2 on: June 05, 2011, 04:25:23 AM »
A fine example of Physoplexis comosa exhibited at the AGS Southport Show in May this year ... my own large plant is very late this year and is probably still two weeks away from optimum flowering, I will try to remember to post an image when it finally blooms.

Here is a link to my best plant last year ...

http://www.alpinegardensociety.net/competitions/online-show/2010/Campanulaceae/796/

* Physoplexis comosa.jpg (283.53 KB, 800x649 - viewed 95 times.)
« Last Edit: June 05, 2011, 04:36:39 AM by Booker » Logged
Cliff Booker A.K.A. Ranunculus
On the moors in Lancashire, U.K.
Usually wet, often windy, sometimes cold ... and that's just me!
Tim Ingram
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« Reply #3 on: June 05, 2011, 05:45:29 AM »
Cliff - that is such a fascinating plant! The only time I ever grew it well was in a block of tufa but a friend in our group now has a specimen about half the size of yours. Some of its meadow relatives (Phyteuma spp.) are equally intriguing in a strange way. How old is that plant?
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Dr. Timothy John Ingram
Copton Ash, Faversham, Kent, ME13 8XW, UK
I garden in a relatively hot and dry region (for the UK!), with an annual rainfall of around 25", winter lows of -10°C and summer highs of 30°C.
email: coptonash@yahoo.co.uk
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Booker
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« Reply #4 on: June 05, 2011, 06:55:21 AM »
Quote from: Tim Ingram on June 05, 2011, 05:45:29 AM
Cliff - that is such a fascinating plant! The only time I ever grew it well was in a block of tufa but a friend in our group now has a specimen about half the size of yours. Some of its meadow relatives (Phyteuma spp.) are equally intriguing in a strange way. How old is that plant?


Hi Tim,
I cannot be certain, but I think it's at least seven years old.  Labels fade and disappear and I have a jumbled and eclectic mix of plants that perfectly reflects my decaying brain and fading memory.  I now grow at least six physoplexis of varying sizes and ages and they all survive our cool, wet winters outside without any protection.  I give the big plants a chicken mesh 'cap' to protect them from the attentions of the blackbirds, but that is the only mollycoddling that they enjoy.
We have seen some splendid examples in the Dolomites, but rarely do they display more than three or four blooms in the wild.

* Physoplexis comosa Dolomites.jpg (169.32 KB, 600x896 - viewed 72 times.)
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Cliff Booker A.K.A. Ranunculus
On the moors in Lancashire, U.K.
Usually wet, often windy, sometimes cold ... and that's just me!
Gene Mirro
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« Reply #5 on: June 05, 2011, 10:37:28 AM »
Cliff, how do you manage them after they bloom?  Do you keep them growing, or dry them off and let them go dormant?  If they are growing outdoors for you, I guess they get water all summer, true?  I lose a few every year, but I don't know why.  I do know that they don't like dry potting mix in winter.
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RickR
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« Reply #6 on: June 05, 2011, 11:01:23 AM »
This plant is so interesting that I don't think it is possible to take an unworthy photo of Physoplexis.   Grin
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Rick Rodich    zone 4a.    Annual precipitation ~24 inches
near Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Booker
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« Reply #7 on: June 05, 2011, 12:41:24 PM »
Quote from: Gene Mirro on June 05, 2011, 10:37:28 AM
Cliff, how do you manage them after they bloom?  Do you keep them growing, or dry them off and let them go dormant?  If they are growing outdoors for you, I guess they get water all summer, true?  I lose a few every year, but I don't know why.  I do know that they don't like dry potting mix in winter.

Hi Gene,
All my plants (even the first year seedlings) stay outside all winter and experience everything that a cool, damp Lancashire winter can throw at them - this can see torrential rain, hard frosts, snow, sun and fog - often in the same week!
After flowering can see spells of hot sun, heavy showers and warm drying winds, the physoplexis experiences all these conditions in the Dolomites and the necessary constants are excellent drainage and a calcareous compost. These plants produce an extensive root system so a deep pot is essential and I use a 12" pan full of a very gritty limestone mix.  I never feed my plants and always let them die back naturally whatever the conditions.  Hope this helps, but I realise just how different our growing conditions must be?
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Cliff Booker A.K.A. Ranunculus
On the moors in Lancashire, U.K.
Usually wet, often windy, sometimes cold ... and that's just me!
Lori S.
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« Reply #8 on: June 05, 2011, 01:08:08 PM »
Absolutely beautiful, Cliff!  You must be so pleased to grow them so well!
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Lori
Calgary, Alberta, Canada - Zone 3
-30 C to +30 C (rarely!); elevation ~1130m; annual precipitation ~40 cm
Schier
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« Reply #9 on: June 05, 2011, 03:09:48 PM »
They are stunning - and to have a whole flat of seedlings? Oh boy, I best order some seeds. Or perhaps, try to get one at Hole's Greenhouse in St. Albert, Alberta.... 'Tis true, I don't think there could be  a bad photo of Physoplexis comosa...
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Faith S.   Gardening in central Alberta climate, from min. -44 c to max. 36+ C. ( not often! ) Avg. annual precip. ~ 48 cm  Altitude ~ 820 m. Have "frying pan gardens" up around the house, and also some woodland areas down the path...and love them both.
Gene Mirro
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« Reply #10 on: June 05, 2011, 06:01:15 PM »
If you want to grow them from seed, check out the Spring 2009 NARGS bulletin.  There is an article in which I tell everything I know about starting them from seed.  It took me many tries to be successful.  I believe it was because I kept getting dead seed.  If anyone wants to try some seed, let me know.  I may have a fresh crop this fall.
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« Reply #11 on: June 06, 2011, 02:41:53 AM »
Quote from: Gene Mirro on June 05, 2011, 06:01:15 PM
If you want to grow them from seed, check out the Spring 2009 NARGS bulletin.  There is an article in which I tell everything I know about starting them from seed.  It took me many tries to be successful.  I believe it was because I kept getting dead seed.  If anyone wants to try some seed, let me know.  I may have a fresh crop this fall.

Yes please Cheesy I have tried Physoplexis but never got germination. I saw pictures in Thompson & Morgan's catalogue many, many years ago and have ever since wanted to grow it!

However I grow the close relative Phyteuma. Not the same though but nice growable plants. (And it is raining again today Undecided )

* Phyteuma scheuchzeri 2011juni6.JPG (150.85 KB, 849x909 - viewed 61 times.)

* Phyteuma ovatum 2011juni6-1.JPG (325.29 KB, 950x713 - viewed 49 times.)

* Phyteuma ovatum 2011juni6-2.JPG (179.77 KB, 694x958 - viewed 66 times.)
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Trond
Rogaland, Norway - with cool, often rainy summers  (29C max) and mild, often rainy winters (180 cm/year)!
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« Reply #12 on: June 06, 2011, 03:17:29 AM »
Lovely images Trond.
I have just posted this one on AlpenPix ... Phyteuma sieberi from the Dolomites.  One of the smallest and perfect for troughs/mini-gardens.

* Phyteuma sieberi.jpg (178.87 KB, 700x1020 - viewed 74 times.)
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Cliff Booker A.K.A. Ranunculus
On the moors in Lancashire, U.K.
Usually wet, often windy, sometimes cold ... and that's just me!
Chris Klapwijk
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« Reply #13 on: June 07, 2011, 08:46:29 AM »
I've posted Gene's article on Physoplexis comosa here

Chris Klapwijk
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« Last Edit: June 07, 2011, 10:43:45 PM by McDonough » Logged
Chris Klapwijk, Surrey, BC, Canada
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« Reply #14 on: June 07, 2011, 01:33:42 PM »
Quote from: Chris Klapwijk on June 07, 2011, 08:46:29 AM
I've posted Gene's article on Physoplexis comosa here

Chris Klapwijk
NARGS webmaster

Excellent article Gene ... many thanks for posting, Chris.
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Cliff Booker A.K.A. Ranunculus
On the moors in Lancashire, U.K.
Usually wet, often windy, sometimes cold ... and that's just me!
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