Do they need some particular food? Mine were beautiful last year but look a few somewhat anemic this year. Looks like lack of iron to me. Anybody have good luck having them come back year after year looking like Christmas? What is your recommendation ?
Fred
I actually just took a picture of mine that survived from last year. I'm interested to see what others post to this thread; I've never had one make it through the year before this one. Guess I got lucky. Glad you started this thread; hope others will give input.
Wow - hose are gorgeous!
In order to get blooms on your plants your going to have to make sure that they only get 8 hours of light . Even if they were to get a flash of light during the dark period they will be delayed in blooming. Make sure that they are covered completely and no light getting in. If they're in a pot, put them in the closet with a big note on the door, do not open under penelty of a good cussing out :) Keep doing this in and out for at least one month or until you see color and followers beginning. Remember that the colored leaves are just that, leaves. The flowers are in the middle.
This message was edited Dec 4, 2008 11:09 PM
This message was edited Dec 4, 2008 11:10 PM
Hi Fred,
I think they need almost full sun down here. Looks like your babies have been in the shade. Did you cut them back in July?
Hap
Yes I did cut them back. They were all stragely. Some of them seem to like total shade but the best are under speckled light. I'm pretty sure I need to fertilize them though. With all this limey ground they proabably need some acid.
Fred
We do nothing to ours and they bloom like crazy this time of the year....guess it is living near the equator. I cut them back twice a year as they get so heavy they will fall over and break.
there is a big stand of them at Fairchild Gardens. they were all blooming one year when i visited and it was a wonderful sight. i don't think they did much to them. they were tall and scraggly and the leaves looked terrible, but they were all blooming!
Thanks, DL....
Fred, mine are tiny this year, but they are blooming. I cut them back, they came back, but the leaves are small & flowers are small. They are in the ground in partial shade.
WOW.. Carol.. magnificent.. I've never seen one do so well outside.. I've had them grow... butto look like that..is wonderful... but I buy them anyway.. this year Igot one that said it was ice injected.. does any one know just what they might have done... shot up the leaves with cold water perhaps..
Thanks, Gordon...that is quite a compliment ! I admire your growing so much! I may pick up some fancier ones if I can after Christmas...variegateds etc. I have also seen a triple flower and I am going to take cuttings in April...They really grow well here!!! But I remember, on the shores of Lake Chapala in Mexico seeing hedges of them with blossoms big as a serving platter!!! Stupendous!
Carol
