Spring is here with pleiones :)

[flexdc]

Very, very nice. I've wanted to try these forever! I heard they need an alpine house condition? i.e. almost freezing in the winter?

[Jennyfleur]

Originally Posted by flexdc

Very, very nice. I've wanted to try these forever! I heard they need an alpine house condition? i.e. almost freezing in the winter?

That's why some folk put them in the fridge over winter. They start to die back in the autumn and once the leaves go, you can un-pot (and separate any bulbs/ bulbils from the old one), trim the roots and store until feb/march when you get them out, repot and wait til they start growing again

I don't know how expensive they are in the states, but you can get bulbs from about £3.50/ £4 here (although they go up in price quite a lot when you get the rarer ones!) If you can get them fairly inexpensively, give 'em go and you might surprise yourself

[RosieC]

Looks like yours did well this year Jenny

Mine are growing well but didn't flower. As you know I potted them up late after they were already growing and a couple had bud type growths (more rounded) but the bud seemed to blast. Oh well try again next year!

[Jennyfleur]

Originally Posted by RosieC

Looks like yours did well this year Jenny

Mine are growing well but didn't flower. As you know I potted them up late after they were already growing and a couple had bud type growths (more rounded) but the bud seemed to blast. Oh well try again next year!

Yeah, I think I remembered mine a couple of weeks before you (if I remember rightly, but I may be wrong!), and that could've been the difference between our buds' survival rates!

Next year, I think we need to try and remind each other! I've noticed that, probably due to the rotten weather, the bulbs aren't swelling as much as I'd expect so far. They'll hopefully pick up in the next few months, but I wouldn't be suprised if I only get leaf-sized bulbils and bulbs for next year x

[flexdc]

Could you grow these out doors in the UK? May be you are already doing so. If I want to try them I would need to put them in the fridge in autumn. Winter temps ever go much below 8 c here. Usually min. temp is around 10 c.

[RosieC]

I think some people in the UK do grow them outdoors, not sure what Jenny is doing but I grown them indoors.

Jenny, mine are actually looking pretty fat, and are now starting some keikis as well.

[Jennyfleur]

I leave mine outdoors once there's no frost about and it starts to warm up. They stay in a shady spot during the day and I move them to the portch (which is sheltered) if it's particularly windy or wet (like it has been here lately!).

Rosie - Since it has been quite cool here this 'summer' so far, that might be why they've not plumped up as much as yours if yours are indoors ...Hmmmm, never mind, I'm sure they'll get there

[RosieC]

Yeah, it has been rather wet and cold so far. We've got a nice hot day today, how about you?

[Jennyfleur]

Originally Posted by RosieC

Yeah, it has been rather wet and cold so far. We've got a nice hot day today, how about you?

Oh, it's been gorgeous here today (complete with lovely sea breeze), but I fear it's all gonna change again tomorrow! (pleiones have just been moved back to the porch )