Since I was gone 3 weeks learning more about plant evolution, I missed contributing to the Castilleja topic; one near and dear to me. First the paper by Tara Luna probably can be accessed by changing the last section to /6-1NPJ62-68.pdf using the forward part of:
http://www.nativeplantnetwork.org/Content/Articles/6-3NPJ254-262.pdf This later paper was done in collaboration with a gardening group from Tri-Cities, Washington. The paper gives a bit of depth into germinating and growing Castilleja. A second paper by Nelson and Joyner provides growing success from Washington and Utah using two methods, both based on a modification of Norman Deno's stratification process. Joyner used seed starting mix in the plastic bag which gave excellent results. This paper is in the Rock Garden Quarterly, 65 (3), 279-284 (2007). I tried cleaning the seed coating from Castilleja seed and found an improvement of at least10% in germination using the Deno process. This depended upon age of seed and species. I did try growing various Castilleja without a host. It can be done, but one spends more time making certain that sufficient water is available to the paintbrush. In chapter 5 of her Master's thesis on Castilleja levisecta, Beth Lawrence at Oregon State University in 2005 indicated that "hemiparasites can successfully grow without a host, but greenhouse studies have shown that providing a host plant results in larger plants that are more likely to flower." This was also stated by Michelle Marvier in Ecology, volume 79, 1272-1280 (1998). Of course, another reason for Castilleja desiring a host is the transfer of alkaloids from the host which increases herbivore resistance. The reason that I prefer Penstemon as a host is due to an examination of Castilleja hosts I did within Washington state at Mt Rainier National Park, Olympic National Park and Mt St Helens. In general, Penstemon was a major host in these areas, but Castilleja obviously is still a generalist. It's other preference for grasses may be due to the fine structure and general availability of those plants. However, I found it bothersome to chase stray grasses in my flower beds. More detail can be found in Douglasia, 30 (2), 12-15 (2006). Currently, the Castilleja I still grow C. integra, C. miniata, C. haydenii, C. sulfurea and C. indivisa with either Penstemon strictus or P. speciosus. I have had excellent results with these plants in our hot, eastern-Washington shrub-steppe conditions. I think the key to growing these plants, once past germination, involves eco-niches in the yard or garden. They are areas that have distinct temperatures, water availability, light, and nutrient that matches the demand of the Castilleja. Unfortunately, my yard does not have enough suitable areas that work well for Castilleja. Dave Nelson Richland, Washington Elevation 500 ft Zone 6 and rising _____ From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of [email protected] Sent: Sunday, January 22, 2012 2:23 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Alpine-l] Alpine-l Digest, Vol 14, Issue 11 Thanks for those details, John. I will forward them to my friend. Jane Hendrix Mountain View Experimental Gardens Peak 7 Area - Breckenridge, Colorado USA Elevation: 10,000 feet USDA Zone: 4 Website: http://www.picturetrail.com/hendrix
_______________________________________________ Alpine-l mailing list [email protected] http://mailman.science.uu.nl/mailman/listinfo/alpine-l
