DG Site Updates: Begonia Forum???, 1 by begoniacrazii

begoniacrazii wrote:
Dont know for sure if Calistoga is 9a/9b – I know what the USDA map says- however we are in a unique microclimate that keeps us (meaning this area of about .5 sq. mile) in a bit more of an extreme temp. pattern. Our house/land lies in a unique pocket. We get down to 26-28 in the winter (at least at my house, and when it's the coldest, I'm usually asleep, but hear the wind machines come on about 2am-4am -so it could be getting colder, I'm just too busy catching zzz's to check the thermometer) and Calistoga can get hot as Heck, I've seen it hit 114, but our general temps run in the 105-108's during late July-Sept. We just don’t get the coastal influence that Sebastopol does, there is a small range that keeps us warmer in the summer and cooler in the winter. I think overall your temps are just a bit more mild. Oddly enough, St. Helena, just 10 minutes south, has citrus growing on Main St. - I have to cover mine or they melt too.

My Brugs melt away, but have returned for 3 years now from the base -so long as they go in the greenhouse (really a hoop house with 6ml plastic). I'm just now getting a bud on my 4 ry old plant, and just about the time they flower, they'll have to go back in the greenhouse!

I think that our place is just a wee bit colder too due to the shadow of a hill. I have a greenhouse for most of my tenders, and this year, I'll be using heating coils to keep the temp up at night. As it is, we are in the 40's in the a.m. this week. I can really feel the fall weather coming on, and we have 7 acres of mature walnuts that are starting to fall. (that means 7 acres of leaves too! ARRRGHHH!)

Ha!, one acre in Sonoma county runs a small fortune (DH is a real estate agent for Sonoma, Lake and Napa counties, so I stay abreast of the market. ) It is a buyers market right now. Lots out there, prices will begin to settle down. Anything over here (read 2 br fixer on a tiny lot) goes for a big bag of dough.

Our other place is out in Night's Valley (nearest is Jim Town) but there we're up in the hills and get snow in the winter and is only 18 miles away. And a TON of rain too. Hoping to build there soon (including a commercial greenhouse! Have numerous artesian year round springs –plenty of agua!).
I better get going, have to pack for Maui and I'm running out of time. Have four trays of rooting begonias that need to get moved to the greenhouse as DH hasn’t a clue what to do for them. I’m hoping that they do ok. I’ve had them inside (south window with pleated shade) on a heating mat. Have lots of roots getting started. Just worried they will dry out. I did install an automatic sprinkler system (really and upside down drip irrigation system hanging from the roof of the greenhouse, with 360 degree spray heads) so at least I know that everyone will get watered.

Have to make DH a list of things to do while I’m gone (this is a girls only trip, no kids, no spouses! Woo hoo!)
Happy Gardening all!
What a pleasant surprise it will be when I get home from drooling on tropicals for a week to find that our plant (read addiction) of choice has it’s own forum! (Does Dave take bribes?) Until then,
Cheers!
Laurie