Can anyone please tell when is the right time to remove the suckers from an Imperialis? There are four small ones on mine. What is the best method to remove them?
Mike
When and how do I remove suckers?
Hi Mike, long time no hear! Is it an Alcantarea? If so, apparently the grass pups are only produced while the plant is still young, and if left on, will eventually dry up and die. To remove them, you may need to carefully clean away the soil as much/low as possible. I use my fingernail to get down between the plant and grass pup and try to tear it downwards, to get a bit of the parent tissue, or even a couple of roots (it may already have them). If you break it off too high (mostly white tissue and you'd see the rings of leaf growth on the bottom), don't panic, as sometimes, when you plant it, it will grow its own grass pup! Truelly! You can do this anytime of the year, but in cool weather, they will need to go somewhere protected and warm, and will be alot slower to grow roots and get established. Make sure the soil is well drained as they can rot if too cold and wet.
Good luck, ka ki te
Sue
Hi Sue. Yes it is an Alcantarea. I think the best idea would be to remove them and pot them in small pots and keep them indoors until the spring. There are also a couple of other ones (Neoregelia I think) which have flowered and produced one large pup each. Should I cut the old plant off to allow the pup to grow?
Mike
The pups are probably living off the mothers root system. If they have a root system of their own, you can remove them and pot them on. Of course, this is better if done in the warmer months, as you get faster root growth. Sometimes, removal of the pups stimulates the mother to produce more, if it is still warm enough, and if she has enough energy left.
Theres no need to remove the mother, unless she looks (or smells) pretty bad. While ever she still has green leaves, she is still producing energy.
Yes, your idea of bringing the Alcantareas inside is a good one. It'd be pretty cold there now, yes? My Sis has moved to Collingwood, and tells me its none too warm! He he
Sue
Ok I'll leave them until sometime in spring when it's warmer. It's cold here compared to where you live but some garden plants are still growing (rather slowly I might add) which is a surprise. Our Agave attenuatas just keep on growing - all they need is regular sunshine it seems. Birds of paradise and a couple of native climbers are still growing as well.
I have actually done a lot of planting this Winter so it's frustrating waiting until Spring to see it all take off. Im looking forward to growing the Alcanterea pups so they can be used as feature plants around the garden - such marvellous specimens!
Mike
Well, I hope you will show us some pics when it all happens! I'm a bit partial to the Alcantareas too. Very tough, and nice to have a brom that can take sun.
Sue
Hi Sue. I removed the Alcantarea pups today and must admit it wasn't too successful. I have potted them anyway so fingers crossed they will survive!
Mike
Just don't keep them too wet Mike, sometimes if you break one off too short, it kinda callouses and throws another grass pup, so I'll cross my fingers for you. How many did you get?
I pulled three off which were all without roots but I managed to get the roots of one of them and have potted that aswell so hopefully it will grow even if the others don't.
Mike
I think it will be ok, with roots is great, but often there are none and they survive well.
Proud daddy! he he
Hi Sue. The young pups I potted seem to be doing ok so fingers crossed.
Mike
Excellent! What kind of temps are you experiencing there? I'm off to Darwin for ten days tomorrow. They get 30's during the day. Mmmmmmm! Will take lots of pics if I see any broms!
Low teens - usual for this time of year
Have you been to Cairns? My wife and I have discussed moving there one day. Would it be a nice place to live?
Mike, Cairns is beautiful, but extremely humid in summer (the wet season) Its not a massive city, so it probably does not get all its supplies locally, therefore anything that comes from out of town can be expensive.
I absolutely love holidaying there, but recommend you try that first before making such a big move. I have no idea of housing issues, such as availability and cost. I also don't know the employment stats, or what kind of work is around.
It would probably be a good idea to start a thread asking for info on Cairns over in the Aussie forum. I'm not sure if we have any regular members from the area or not?
I have to tell you, climate wise, i think Coffs is perfect, but then, I'm biased! he he. Theres not alot of emplyment here though, except in aged care, tourism and of course, gardening!
I'm going to start a thread on my Darwin trip soon, so drop over to the aussie forum in the next week or so, or I'll post a link when I come back to this.
Sue
Hi Sue. Would definitely try before I buy regarding Cairns. Sounds alot like Nelson as far as isolation and expensive living are concerned so would know what to expect. Im in the building industry and there is usually plenty of development going on in holiday destinations making Cairns ideal. Will have to discuss further with my wife. Who knows!
Mike
Well, good luck with that Mike! he he.
Seriously, I loved Cairns and its climate, even though it was hot and sticky! I wouldn't like to do my job (gardening) in summer though! I would have to find an air conditioned one! MAybe indoor plant hire would be the go?
Being a builer you should have no problem with getting work. Try Cairns for a holiday in winter, when your wife is complaining about the cold, that should sweeten the deal! he he.
Sue
Hi Sue. Just to give you an update on the Alcantarea pups, two of the ones I potted look to have started setting some roots and are doing well. There is actually still one pup on mum so I'll try and remove that shortly.
Mike