Texas Gardening: Question concerning my Kangaroo Paws plant, 1 by GD_Rankin

GD_Rankin wrote:
Ok, I've got a Question concerning my Kangaroo Paws plant that some of you fellow Texanz may can help with? . . . it's not do'n so well, could it just be the Texas heat? I had one earlier this year and it lost all of it's flowers when it started getting hot here and then shortly after that it finally bit the big one.

I'd been looking for a replacement and about given up when I saw a few at the Lowe's the other day. None had very bright color in the flowers but the leaves looked ok, so I selected the best one and brought it home and put it in an area that gets mostly afternoon sun - since I heard they are from the desert area and like lots of sun and not a lot of water.

One of the flowering ends had smaller flowers for a day or two then they kind of went away. I decided to go ahead and get it in the ground last weekend. I watered it in and added a bit of root stimulator when I transplanted it into it's sandy bottom new home. It's not losing color in it's leaves but the freshest flower is fading like the rest on the plant. Is this normal for these guys this time of year or what?

I thought the original plant I had was great looking, full of bright red blooms and lush green leaves. However, it didn't take long and they all faded away. If anyone has experience with these guys, any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
GD