Eminium cultivation

From: "Peter C Boyce" levieux.jardin at wanadoo.fr> on 2003.06.28 at 17:50:32(10359) Hi Benoit Apologies for not replying in French! Eminium are difficult to maintain in cultivation in temperate climates for more than a couple of years and I have had no more success than most others who have tried. In habitat Eminium occur either in places with winter wet and extreme summer drought/heat (E. spiculatum, E. heterophyllum, E. rauwolffii & E. intortum) OR in places with winter snows, then spring wet and then summer drought (E. koenenianum, E. regelii, E. lehmanii & E. albertii). The winter wet group are very difficult to maintain in cultivation in northern Europe since not only do they need winter watering but also very good light if they are not going to rot. They need deep terracotta (terre cuit) pots and a mineral soil with added sharp sand (60 percent loam - 40 percent lime-rich sharp sand), careful watering at all times and monthly liquid feeding. Additional lighting would probably be very helpful to keep the plants short and robust, as too is plenty of air movement to prevent too much humidity and thus the problems with grey mould, to which the leaves are very prone. The trick is to water well and then leave until almost dry before watering again, rather than giving a little water frequently - in habitat the experience winters that are clear and bright with periodic very heavy rains. They need a long, hot dry summer rest and very careful watering from late September to encourage growth. The spring wet group are a little easier to grow in that they emerge in spring and so you don't have to worry about keeping them growing healthily through grey winter weather. They need to be encouraged into growth by careful watering in very early spring. All the comments regarding pots, compost, etc. are the same as for group one. As with Biarum & Arum annual repotting/potting-on into fresh compost is essential. In pots all require frost free conditions (min. 3 C) Hope this helps some Peter

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