I've only ever grown this wonderful plant once, raising it from seed and coaxing it to produce this single cluster of fabulous flowers before making the mistake of giving it too much water. It's not called a desert pea for nothing - wet roots and humid conditions are death to it. Trouble is, if you keep it hot and dry (as I did with the two other seedlings I raised) it succumbs to attacks of red spider mite very easily in greenhouses in England. So, when it comes to watering it, you're damned if you do and you're damned if you don't. The only solution is to move to South Australia, where it's the state flower and is perfectly at home. I gather that this plant also now goes under the name of Swainsona formosa.
As much as I love the UK Phil, moving to Australia sounds very tempting!
ReplyDeleteSomething I've found about gardening all my life is that it's all about trial and error. Somehow I've managed to make a pig's ear out of plants that are labelled 'for beginners', yet had success with ones that are considered to 'need experience'. :) But that's the great thing about gardening.... there's very few rights and wrongs and anyone can learn as they go along.
Your plant is fascinating. The leaves look like those of Jacob's Ladder, but the flowers look like something quite alien!
Oooooo, I can't believe I wrote all this...... to a botanist! Aren't I a cheeky mare!
ReplyDeleteYou're dead right about trial-and-error Lesley, I think keen gardeners are natural experimenters - which is half the fun of growing plants..........
ReplyDeleteSounds like a drainage problem. I've grown Sturt Pea for several years. They require REALLY good drainage. Potting soil is good as long as it has good drainage. Try cactus potting soil. Waterwell pots are great as long as they are fairly deep (30cm and up) to cater for the long taproot.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the advice Scott - I'll make sure I use a realy gritty compost next time I grow it...
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