I DON”T KNOW WHAT I WAS THINKING PLANTING THIS IN A TROUGH, BUT IN LATE JULY, THIS SPECIES TOO, TOOK OFF, ALMOST CONSUMING THE ROUND TROUGH. IF I GET SEED, I WILL FIND A BETTER PLACE TO GROW THIS. FOR NOW, I ALLOWED IT TO TUMBLE OVER SOME TWIGS FROM A NEARBY CRAMBE CORDIFOLIA SEED STALK, WHICH I PROVIDED AS A TEMPORARY TRELLIS.
For information on other Tropaeolum species that I have grown over the past year, check out these posts from the winter, since this is the month when you can order and plant the tubers of these other South American species. I suggest Tropaeolum tricolor
Tropaeolum tricolor, a tuberous species that can be grown as a winter-flowering plant for a cold windowsill or cold greenhouse. It grows from a small, potato-like tuber – order them now from finer bulb sources.
Tropaeolum azureum is more challenging to grow, but I did have spectacular luck with the tuber three years ago – patience is required, as the tuber can be fussy, often sitting dormant for many years before deciding to grow. It’s been sitting dormant again in the dry, hot protection of the greenhouse for two years now….maybe this winter?
TROPAEOLUM X TENUIROSTRE is even more rare, a cross which is naturally occuring in Chile. Another tuberous Tropaeolum worth growing if you are thinking about collecting this enticing genus, which few seem to collect. Here is a story about this species blooming in my greenhouse this past spring. Another wirey vine, the branch is a piece of a Japanese Maple that I cut and used as a support branch. |
Do you know of any sources for these cool-looking beauties?
I received these seeds from a collector in the UK, but you can sometimes find them at Chiltern Seeds in England ( they are currently sold out). ANother source I like for the tuberous species is Paul Christian Rare Bulbs in England. Both ship to the US and worldwide.