[pbs] Timing for bulbs changing hemisphere?
Paul Tyerman
ptyerman at ozemail.com.au
Thu May 3 21:33:15 EDT 2007
Howdy All,
I need some brain-picking of experience please? What is the best
time to try to change hemisphere for bulbs and corms? Is it sending
them straight after they go into dormancy, or is it best to give them
some "summer" (or winter in the opposite case) before sending them to
the recipient? Or is it better to wait until they are just starting
to resume growth and send them then, so that they can grow and then
work out their new hemisphere? I am particularly thinking things
like Crocus, Fritillaria, Galanthus, Tecophilea and the like (to give
a few examples). Due to my continuing crappy health I am very much
behind in sending traded plants to people and I am now wondering
whether I should just wait until late spring (for most of the
examples I just used) and send them straight after they have gone
into dormancy, or whether now would be OK, with root growth commenced
and signs of activity with the bulbs? I have had experiences in the
past where recipients have lost bulbs in both situations, and I am
guessing that the handling at their end makes a great deal of
difference as well, but I am just trying to do the best at this end
to give the bulbs as good a chance as possible.
Also, does the fact that I tend to have hot and lengthy summers
affect that shift at all? There are specifically a couple of
recipients I want to send to in Germany, and I know that their
summers are not as hot as mine, so I am thinking that their summer
may initially be treated, by the moving bulb or corm, more like a
spring or autumn here and therefore not as stressful for them and
therefore not force them back into dormancy as quickly?
I have seen various different recommendations on the Net as to when,
but I thought I would like to hear some of the thoughts of the
experienced collectors we have here from other countries who do not
have our quarantine laws, and therefore may have shifted bulbs over
hemisphere and have found out what has worked for them. If you'd
prefer to send privately then go for it, but I am thinking that there
may be others here on the list who would be interested in the
collective experiences as well.
If I take a while to respond to anyone then I apologise
profusely. It usually means that my CFS has stopped me using the
computer much. I'll try to catch up with emails as soon as I can.
Thanks you all very much in anticipation of any advice you can give
me re timing and helping with changing hemispheres.
Cheers.
Paul Tyerman
Canberra, Australia - USDA Zone Equivalent approx. 8/9
Growing an eclectic collection of plants from all over the world
including Aroids, Crocus, Cyclamen, Erythroniums, Fritillarias,
Galanthus, Irises, Trilliums (to name but a few) and just about
anything else that doesn't move!!
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