Since we really haven't had a lot of humidity yet, I also think it has to do with surface moisture. So my growing time for this season may nearly be over.
I saw these two pics in our database. Certainly dry-looking soil there, and look how healthy the plants look and how well they are blooming!
I'm beginning to think along the lines of Sturt's Desert Pea, Swainsona formosa.
whose roots are very susceptible to fungus. A desert plant, when it finally rains, the seedlings that sprout quickly send down a deep taproot, in effect chasing the moisture as the surface dries. It has been suggested to plant it in a tall, porous pipe so the upper soil will completely dry shortly after watering. If the upper root stays moist, it is attacked by soil fungus and killed. I have yet to grow Sturt's Desert Pea, but after a long time reading and searching, I finally have a few seed.
I'm thinking I should master Livingstone Daisy first. Those seed are readily available and cheap! Now I need to figure out how to transition from moist sprouting conditions to dry. I would love to direct sow, but have had very little success here. Too many seed-eating bugs looking for a meal, I guess.
Ron
