grady
Well-Known Member
>>>This is an update with new images, posted May 24, 2013.
A new search and careful count has revealed 182 lively plants in 36 clumps.
A recent conversation with a wildlife biologist has changed my beliefs: she said that the cyps are thriving on my property not despite my thinning efforts of the forest, but because of these efforts. The canopy closure when I bought the property in 1988 was nearly 100%; it is now down to 50-60% where I have thinned.
<<< end update; new images are at end of post
As I have posted elsewhere on Slippertalk (http://www.slippertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29473), we have a number of C. montanum plants growing wild on our property. I have begun an effort to photograph selected clumps (there a total of 22 clumps numbered A to V, comprising just over 100 plants) during their growth this year. Clumps E, G and T will have photos taken every week or so, and the photos posted here. The photos began April 18, 2013; I took a 2nd series today, April 26. The largest plant saw 3" of growth in that 8 days, despite nighttime temperatures getting down into the 20's and low 30's nearly every night.
Each clump will have its own post. This post, for Clump E, will have the intro material.
Here is a result of a soil test we had made by a university extension service:
ph: 7.6 (alkaline)
nitrogen: 1.25 ppm (very low)
phosphorus: 37.5 ppm (medium)
potassium: 90 ppm (medium high)
humus (in range of 1 - 5): 1
26.6% sand, 46.6% silt, 26.6% clay
The habitat is mixed conifer with 50-60% canopy closure. Elevation is 2500 feet.
Climate info: For December, our coldest month, average low is 24, average high is 38. July & August are tied for the same average high: 83, while the average low is 54 and 53, respectively. Average rainfall is 11.42 inches. Record low is -16, record high is 106. This climate info is for a nearby town; we're 1,000 feet higher, with a slightly longer and deeper winter, slightly shorter and cooler summer, and maybe another inch of rainfall.
Info on the E Clump:
Date Clump, # plants visible, Height of tallest, Height of shortest
4/18/13 E, 11, 3", 1/2"
4/26/13 E, 11, 6", 2"
4/30/13 E, 12, 8", 2" <<<update
5/5/13 E, 12, 10", 2" <<<update
5/11/13 E, 12, 13 1/2", 2" <<<update
5/17/13 E, 16", 10 plants in bloom <<<update
Here is a link to the photos for Clump g: http://www.slippertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29787
And for Clump T: http://www.slippertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29788
On to the photos for Clump E:
April 18, wide view:
April 18, shoots:
April 26, shoots:
May 11, flowers:
May 17, flowers:
A new search and careful count has revealed 182 lively plants in 36 clumps.
A recent conversation with a wildlife biologist has changed my beliefs: she said that the cyps are thriving on my property not despite my thinning efforts of the forest, but because of these efforts. The canopy closure when I bought the property in 1988 was nearly 100%; it is now down to 50-60% where I have thinned.
<<< end update; new images are at end of post
As I have posted elsewhere on Slippertalk (http://www.slippertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29473), we have a number of C. montanum plants growing wild on our property. I have begun an effort to photograph selected clumps (there a total of 22 clumps numbered A to V, comprising just over 100 plants) during their growth this year. Clumps E, G and T will have photos taken every week or so, and the photos posted here. The photos began April 18, 2013; I took a 2nd series today, April 26. The largest plant saw 3" of growth in that 8 days, despite nighttime temperatures getting down into the 20's and low 30's nearly every night.
Each clump will have its own post. This post, for Clump E, will have the intro material.
Here is a result of a soil test we had made by a university extension service:
ph: 7.6 (alkaline)
nitrogen: 1.25 ppm (very low)
phosphorus: 37.5 ppm (medium)
potassium: 90 ppm (medium high)
humus (in range of 1 - 5): 1
26.6% sand, 46.6% silt, 26.6% clay
The habitat is mixed conifer with 50-60% canopy closure. Elevation is 2500 feet.
Climate info: For December, our coldest month, average low is 24, average high is 38. July & August are tied for the same average high: 83, while the average low is 54 and 53, respectively. Average rainfall is 11.42 inches. Record low is -16, record high is 106. This climate info is for a nearby town; we're 1,000 feet higher, with a slightly longer and deeper winter, slightly shorter and cooler summer, and maybe another inch of rainfall.
Info on the E Clump:
Date Clump, # plants visible, Height of tallest, Height of shortest
4/18/13 E, 11, 3", 1/2"
4/26/13 E, 11, 6", 2"
4/30/13 E, 12, 8", 2" <<<update
5/5/13 E, 12, 10", 2" <<<update
5/11/13 E, 12, 13 1/2", 2" <<<update
5/17/13 E, 16", 10 plants in bloom <<<update
Here is a link to the photos for Clump g: http://www.slippertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29787
And for Clump T: http://www.slippertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29788
On to the photos for Clump E:
April 18, wide view:

April 18, shoots:

April 26, shoots:

May 11, flowers:


May 17, flowers:




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