warm growing cyms ? minimum temperature ?s

[Cym Ladye]

White Rabbit,

As I believe you grow in the same area I do, probably no more than 10 miles apart, treat the Sunshine Falls (King Arthur x madidium) as you would the rest of your cyms. I had it for years, as well as currently many other Cym. madidum hybrids, and it never failed to bloom and flourish in our climate here in the Bay Area. The only care I take during the time we are predicted to have heavy frost or a freeze lasting longer than 4 hours is to cover all my plants that are exposed to the elements with freeze cloth rated at 4 - 6 degrees frost protection.

The unknown plant is another question. I would keep it above 45 until you can find out more about it. Perhaps when it blooms. The small bulbed plants usually cannot tolerate any degree of frost or freeze. (Exceptions do occur in goeringiii and a few other species).

Keep in mind that 'Warmth tolerance" and "warm growing" are two entirely different things. The sales pitch on "warmth tolerant" plants is aimed at those people who want to have Cyms bloom but do have temps falling below 55 F. for any length of time to set bloom inflorescences. The last thing you need worry about here in Northern Cal.

Good luck,
CL