Anyone growing petrophytum?

Weiser wrote:

Aaron
I've never had the opportunity to try it. Ive only seen photos. Is this one caespitosum?

I think so.  I could send you some seed if you would like, or give you a link where they sell them.  they grow very slow from seed.  I got mine from a place that had plants with mats probably as long as 10', just amazing. 

Weiser wrote:

Aaron
You bet I'd take seed.  :)
I know they grow south of my location on the desert mountains of the White and Inyo ranges in California. I have seen photos of mats growing almost vertically on very steep rock faces.

When the flowers are all done I will send the seed heads, I have started them before but I could not seem to get them very big.  I may have let them dry out too much. :rolleyes:

Nold wrote:

Yes. All three species. I lost my P. hendersonii due to "unknown circumstances" year before last and had to replace it.

Bob

"forgive the lateness of my reply"

Cool, do you have any pics?

That is some plant! I have a small version on my sand bed, but unfortunately not the wonderful rocky surround. Also have Petrophyton hendersonii, I think my favourite of these plants except for the virtually ungrowable Kelseya. Really nice things!

That looks nice and healthy. :)

John,
Have any luck sarting the seeds?  Or do you throw them out into the yard, sometimes I have better luck that way. :D  I started some inside and have had good luck, so if you would like some very small plants just let me know?  I also have that start from that blue Agave parryii, and a cactus pad if you want one?
When ever, they will be here if you want them. ;) 

Very nice, I love these plants. :)

John, the seedlings I sent you have not been outside in the direct sun-light. Just thought I would let you know. ;)

Rock Mat, P. spp. are good(easy) plants for the rock garden, they are moderately slow growers so they are well behaved in this respect.  I have grown three species of this plant but I find P. caespitosum is the best of them and have reduced things down to this species. I like the way they form around the rocks where other plants would struggle. The plants smother themselves with not particularly attractive flower spires in late spring, unfortunately they produce a ton of very fine seeds that pop up everywhere though this is little problem since they so grow slowly and can be easily dealt with. I have taken to shearing these plants as soon as the seed set starts so they don't take over the place. I took some pictures this morning.
P.caespitosum



Two year old volunteer trying to make a go of it

Welcome!

Those plants look great.  I can never find any seedlings around outside, but they are easy to sprout.  So small the seedlings are they almost look like the start of moss. :)

Looking forward too more of your pics. ;)

Very nice!  Those are some awesome plants. :)

Never gets old seeing new pics of petrophytum. :)

I think I must replant my Petrophytum, that plant shows how it should really be grown! How old is it? They seem pretty slow growing and to see one flowering so well is great.

Booker,
Those are amazing pics! thanks for sharing. :)

Here is an udated pic of mine.

And my seedlings.

Wonderful plants, all! Cliff- those wild grandmamas are most impressive!