Unique situation- growing subantarctic island plants...

Discussion in 'HortForum' started by fireweed farm, Jun 5, 2013.

  1. fireweed farm

    fireweed farm New Member

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    Here's a unique question for anyone with either a plant science background or rare alpines knowledge.

    I acquired some Acaena magellanica burrs from a subantarctic island, (South Georgia). Temperature even in "summer" fluctuates wildly with freezing temps and flurries daily, mixed with I gather up to 10'c. Either way this plant handles and likely requires cold in summer. I gather populations in Chile are a little hardier to heat.

    I know some Aceana, including A. magellanica can be grown in a regular rock garden. However I'm thinking the genetics of these seedlings are unique even though I don't think a noted subspecies.

    I was able to get two small plants started.
    The seedlings are definitely stretched and growing along the ground (basically have fallen over and are not creeping as would be done naturally.
    Stems are very skinny and can barely hold themselves up.

    They sprouted two months ago and are growing painfully slow. Clearly surviving but not happy (fair enough!).

    They are way too small to go into the rockery and I'm sure the soon to be heatwave would kill them asap. So figured on growing them in my room temp house until September then putting them out. Any thoughts? Any ideas on how to toughen them up a bit?
    I just fed them lightly with 20-20-20.

    I tried to attach a pic but kept saying invalid file type.
    Thanks for any ideas.
     
  2. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    Sounds like too much shade.
     
  3. fireweed farm

    fireweed farm New Member

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    Agreed, it looks just like leggy shade growth. However they're in full sun. And they don't get much sun where they're from (none?)
    I'm thinking leggy from what the plant is considering too warm.
     
  4. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    If they're in pots, try putting them in the fridge every night.
     
  5. Daniel Mosquin

    Daniel Mosquin Paragon of Plants UBC Botanical Garden Forums Administrator Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    At 54 degrees south, wouldn't they be receiving ~ 17 hours of daylight during their summer?
     
  6. fireweed farm

    fireweed farm New Member

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    They would get plenty of sun, but only if up above the clouds. South Georgia has a maritime climate, storm after storm, cold cold winds, sleet, snow, rain intermixed with sun.
    I am currently keeping them in a room with large south facing windows, I am afraid they may get a bit warm in there though. I was pretty sure it was the unnatural heat and not lack of light causing the stretching but I could certainly be wrong.
     
  7. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    A north-facing window would be better; high light levels won't be too important, but keeping it cool will be.
     
  8. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    Probably stretched from being indoors.
     

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