I want to monitor the growth of my little Boojum tree in this thread. When I got it the tag says Idria columnaris, and lately I have read it is now known as Foquieria columnaris.
From what I have read, it forms a nice caudex, very drought tolerant, very slow growing, summer dormant, fall active.
Initially when I got it last 06July2018, it is still in leaf. I got it from Poots Cactus Nursery. Still leafing.
The next day brought it out in part sun/shade area. Temps are quite warm to hot already, since heat wave season is at hand. So just documenting how it looked like as well as its caudex. As days go on, some leaves starting to yellow.
Caudex staying firm. I am trying to understand what kind of dormancy it does, is it similar to Adeniums and Plumerias where no watering required at all, or should I water lightly.
Went bare stemmed the rest of July, so I am witnessing its dormant stage. Finally, I read I still have to water lightly to keep the roots alive. Temps in July to early August has been so hot and dry, ranging from 95F to 105F, overnights at 60F.
By 20 August, it still looks dormant, but I see some change in color in the stem, a slight green hue, seems to be waking up, but still no new leaves. The spiky thorns have reddish hues at the base of each thorn, reminds me of cacti spines that turn red.
Temps has cooled down, we suddenly had Fall-like temps just in the low to mid 80F's, overnights at 56F to 58F.
28Aug2018
Looks like new leaves trying to form:
29Aug2018, yes! New leaves indeed! Boojum tree is awake woohoo!
Will continue to monitor as it goes. Want to see how it grows further this Fall and during Winter.
