Viewing post #1448932 by Neli

ricos said:I am remembering something i heard about growing peonies in southern California.. ( Rather an absurd idea when you realize that the National Collection is in Minnesota.) But I heard that there were a few "addicts" who actually got Peonies to stay dormant long enough to flower by putting ice cubes on them every night for a period of time in the winter. I wonder if it would work to cool the semps down in really hot climates when it is super hot ??? If you were growing in chick grit or fine gravel the melted ice would not cause too much wet around the roots. Black plastic pots also make the root ball area very much hotter than clay or better yet hypertuffa pots.
Just some thoughts from someone who has only been to Florida once (in the winter) Take it with a grain of salt.

He he he! You remind me of the days when I brought bonsai from Japan that needed cold resting period, and I kept them in a deep freezer for 3 month, to simulate cold resting period.
I am not going to fuss to much with them. No ice cubes for sure. I am giving them the best possible care I can without too much hustle. The ones that dont make it will not be replaced. I need hustle free plants and not worries every day. he he he. I have outgrown that stage in my life.
Plants are meant to be enjoyed and not give one headaches.
that is my latest policy, and I plan to stick to it.
But that said. Thank you for the advise. And That does not mean that I dont try to give them the best reasonably possible conditions.
BTW. I make most of my pots from cement he he he. So that must be OK. I shall take a picture for you today from my 1 month old semps from SA.