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Message started by Phemie on Aug 23rd, 2013 at 9:15pm

Title: Growing Australian, South African & Mexican plants
Post by Phemie on Aug 23rd, 2013 at 9:15pm
Have just arrived (near Camarles) with lots of pots of Australian, South African & Mexican plants most of which I have grown from seed.  I would welcome any experiences of growing these plants in this area.

Title: Re: Growing Australian, South African & Mexican plants
Post by Ritaratbag on Aug 23rd, 2013 at 11:12pm
Names, varieties please?
Maybe some of us can then help you.

Title: Re: Growing Australian, South African & Mexican plants
Post by cactus jack on Aug 24th, 2013 at 8:36am
If you have water and the sun shines..... Last winter I had no frost at all up my mountain, so the tomatoes that seeded themselves at the front of the house last autumn are still producing fruit. I picked the first from them on January 1st.
I find the biggest problem is the heat and low humidity, with a drying wind,so if your plants are from hot dry climates, there should be no problem.
My cacti are over 20 feet tall and in full flower

Title: Re: Growing Australian, South African & Mexican plants
Post by Phemie on Aug 24th, 2013 at 4:15pm
Thank you for the replies.  I have several members of the Restionacea family, most from South Africa, 2 from Australia and 1 from New Zealand. Eucalyptus ficifolia, Acacia cultriformis & floribunda, Anigozanthos flavidus, Metrosideros bartlettii, robusta & excels, Scleranthus biflorus, Geranium incanum, Grevillea robusta, Callistemon Captain Cook & pallidus, Pesudopanax 'Gold Splash', Cordyline parryi, stricta & obtecta Green Goddess, Richea scoparium, Banksia ericifolia, Dieramas & Agapanthus, Orthrosanthus & Isoplexus, Beschornaria yuccoides.  Another question, I would like to grow Proteas do they grow well here.

Title: Re: Growing Australian, South African & Mexican plants
Post by Ritaratbag on Aug 25th, 2013 at 9:34am
Some of the plants/trees you mention are frost tender.
So may need to be taken indoors or protected during our Winter here, if a risk of any frost.
Keep a 'daily' eye on the local weather forecast.
Also this area is very windy at times, which can cause damage and even scorches leaves on plants sometimes.
I myself have not seen or heard of any Proteas being grown in this area.
Let us know if you have success with them, please.

Title: Re: Growing Australian, South African & Mexican plants
Post by Nigel on Aug 25th, 2013 at 10:36am
You may be interested in the 'Mediterranean Gardening Society' (MGS) which does have a few active members in the area.
Call Brian Constable 977059020.

There are a few places locally that sell Mediterranean plants (Culti Delta in Amposta for example).

The MGS also hold events in the area (tours of gardens, visits to plant producers etc.).

Title: Re: Growing Australian, South African & Mexican plants
Post by Phemie on Aug 25th, 2013 at 11:27am
Thanks for the posts.  I have joined the MPS and will ring Brian Constable.  I have been growing Australasian plants for many years in warm humid West Cork so the climate here is a new challenge.  How many degrees of frost would you expect at worse on one night here?

Title: Re: Growing Australian, South African & Mexican plants
Post by Ritaratbag on Aug 25th, 2013 at 11:58am
Depends on areas here.
Last Winter we recorded 0.9 here, in Jesus, so was mild.
The wind chill here made it feel a lot colder at times.
So that can affect some plants aswell.
L'Aldea could be O.K. but Tortosa itself gets some frosts, and in the mountains they get harder frosts and snow at times.

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