Indian Summer weather

There have been a few light frosts here, particularly away from the house, so this lovely weather spell is technically Indian Summer, in Ohio.
However, I was still shocked when the puppy found a three inch stem of ‘Erlicheer’ whose buds were showing color.  I watered it, and the stem is now about four inches tall.  We are supposed to have several sunny days in the 60’s. That may open the buds.  If not, perhaps I’ll put a juice bottle greenhouse over it. 
However, a late Hummingbird member said that the proper culture for ‘Erlicheer’ involved planting it just before the ground froze, then water it heavily and put an amazing amount of mulch on it until spring.  It wants to bloom early, and this will delay it.  Mine was planted a year or two ago.. 
As noted earlier, I have lots of N.serotinus in bloom in the still open greenhouse.
Back to planting the Bulb Exchange daffodils.
Leone Low
Washington Township (near Centerville) Ohio

1 comment for “Indian Summer weather


  1. In a message dated 11/7/2009 2:45:36 PM Eastern Standard Time,  title= writes:

    However, I was still shocked when the puppy found a three inch stem of ‘Erlicheer’ whose buds were showing color. 

    These cultivars that have some tazetta genes can be quirky. I have had my same three or so bulbs of ‘Erlicheer’ for close to 20 years. WHen it puts out foliage, it is usually in late fall. It does not bloom often, but when it does that is also usually late fall although I’ve had some spring blooms from it on rare occasions.
    Right now I am watching a planting of ‘Castanets’. I think I had three bulbs and I planted late last year, probably getting them in about the second week of December. They did not send up foliage.
    Today I noticed folaige 2″ tall. We’ll see if they flower. And when!
    Bill Lee
    (All of this in the same zone as Leone; Cincinnati, OH area)


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