[Sacred Succulents] Equinox greetings, new offerings
benkamm at monitor.net
benkamm at monitor.net
Tue Mar 22 18:25:52 PDT 2011
do not ?reply? to this email, send all correspondence to -
sacredsucculents at hushmail.com )
3/22/11
Greetings to all,
Here we are at Spring Equinox and the weather continues erratic and
strange. Since January we have felt the warmest and coldest days on
record. From 80 degree days to torrential rains, small tornadoes, hail
storms and dusting of snow. The hard frosts have now receded and you can
feel the sap rising and buds unfurling. Nearly all the cacti and other
succulents outside of the greenhouse have taken quite a beating this
Winter from the extreme climatic diversity. Even Agave and Trichocereus
species that have persisted through the past 12 cold seasons unharmed are
showing signs of extreme weariness. Most other perennial plants in our
gardens seem to be handling the adversity just fine, even reveling in it.
The resilience of high diversity is visible.
In rare rare moment of sanity, the UN recently released a report
encouraging agroecology (more dynamic than organic farming) over the
current industrial farming model as a means to secure and increase world
food production, address climate change and protect biodiversity. You can
read a summary of the report at -
http://www.alternet.org/story/150158/new_un_report_on_how_to_feed_the_world%27s_hungry%3A_ditch_corporate-controlled_agriculture/
or the full report-
http://www.srfood.org/index.php/en/component/content/article/1-latest-news/1174-report-agroecology-and-the-right-to-food
We are constructing new raised beds to expand our Andean tubers and trial
California bulbs for home food production. Without the protection of the
raised beds we?ve found that we?re just increasing gopher production here,
and though they somewhat resemble cuy and are very well fed, we?ve yet to
shift our diet to rodents.
We continue to experiment with cultivating unusual and endangered food
plants. Now is the time we begin seed sowing for the garden. With global
food prices at an all time high, we would all do well to grow a little
more of our own food/medicine, especially perennials, and select a few
rare species to help conserve in the process. This email we a have number
of alluring shrubs in the blueberry family available as seedlings for the
first time. There is only a small number of each of these to offer and all
of them are worthy of a place in your garden or landscape.
In 2008 we came across an unusual and beautiful solanaceous tree, a
Saracha species, in a remote valley of Cusco, Peru. In this mostly
deforested area it was planted as a protective ornamental around homes
along with ?Sauco Berry? Sambucus peruviana. With its hundreds of bell
shaped purple flowers, the exotic loveliness of this tree is unmatched.
See attached photo. We offer rooted cuttings from our seed grown plants
for the very first time.
We?d like to send prayer out for the people, flora and fauna of Japan.
We?d love to hear from any of our customers there to know how they are
doing.
RARE PLANT & SEED LIST - Issue 31 is available. Another very large and
diverse issue, don?t miss it! There?s crested Trichocereus bridgesii, 10
Peperomia species, Genepì seed, a Codonopsis said to ?liberate one from
rebirth in the lower realms?! A plethora of new seed/seedlings from our
recent Andean expedition to Peru and Bolivia, new seed/plants from South
Africa, Chile (Gomortega keule trees), and the Himalayas! If you are not
subscribed or have let your subscription lapse, we encourage you to sign
up now. 4 issues for $5 or 8 issues for $8. This is where we list our
offerings of limited rarities and specimens.
GIFT CERTIFICATES - are always available.
NEW OFFERINGS
The following are only available in limited quantities, get them while you
can!
Cajophora coronata ?Kuri? ?Ortiguilla?
Loasaceae. Weird plant to 12"+ with lacinate leaves covered in stinging
hairs like nettles. Unusual white lantern-like flowers to 3" across.
Endemic to the high mountains of central northern Chile, above 9,000'. Has
medicinal uses similar to nettle. Z6b/7a Seed packet $3
Chenopodium oahuense BK10930.3 ?Aheahea?
Chenopodiaceae. The woodiest Chenopodium in the world, to over 15' tall!
Fleshy leaves and clusters of tiny yellowish flowers. Endemic to the dry
habitats of the Hawaiian Islands, from the coast to subalpine. The plant
was used to treat thrush and the leaves can be cooked and eaten like
spinach. Seed collected near 9,000', surface sow. Drought hardy. Z8 and
below. Seed packet $3
Cleome boliviensis ?Chawqu Mayu? ?Ijchipa?
Capparidaceae. Tender spiny perennial 3?7' tall. Palmate divided leaves.
Numerous pale lilac flowers with long spidery maroon stamens on dense
racemes. Attracts a diversity of pollinators. Native to the warm mid
elevation valleys of the Bolivian Andes. Used in baths to reduce fever,
fresh leaves are put on the head to treat headache. The leaves are
sometimes eaten cooked. Drought hardy. Z9b or 10a Seed packet $3
Ephedra americana BK10504.1 ?Sano-sano?
Ephedraceae. Xerophytic leafless shrub 2?4' tall. Small red edible fruit a
bit more papery than most. Somewhat resembles the Chilean Ephedra breana.
Companion plant to Trichocereus bridgesii, Prosopis sp., Puya sp.,
Oreocereus pseudofossulatus, Corryocactus melanotrichus, etc. Abundant on
the shale soil and steep slopes above Huachjilla, La Paz, Bolivia. In some
parts of Bolivia it is made into a ?coffee? and the herbage is often used
for fire starting. Widely regarded urinary tonic and treatment for lung
congestion. Z8 or 9a 6?8"+ plant 1 year old $12.50
Dasylirion wheeleri BK11223.2 ?Sotol?
Nolinaceae or Agavaceae. Unique shaggy trunked plant to 5'+ tall. Rosettes
of slender gray green leaves with toothed margins, like a hacksaw. The
large flower spire can reach well over 12' bearing many small white
flowers. Seed collected in the hills around Mimbres Hotsprings, NM above
6,000'. The strong leaf fibers were valued for making cordage, the young
flower stalks roasted and eaten. In northern Mexico a liquor known as
?sotol? was made from the plant. A great landscape specimen, heat and
drought tolerant. Z7a Seed packet $3
Gaultheria forrestii
Ericaceae. Graceful evergreen shrub 4?5' tall. 3" oval leaves and large
sprigs of white flowers. Bunches of black edible berries. Native to Yunnan
Province China. Leaves and fruit have an enticing wintergreen aroma and
flavor. Part to full shade. Does well as a forest understory plant. Z7b
Seed packet $3 4" + plant 2+ years old $8.50
Gaultheria odorata ?Aja-te?es?
2?4' tall evergreen shrub with slightly hairy alternate oval leaves to 3".
White bell flower and pea-size dark purple fruit. From the higher
elevation cloud forests of Chiapas, Mexico. The fruit is eaten and the
plant considered medicinal by the Zincatan Maya. A fine exotic for the
forest garden. Surface sow. Z8 or 9b Seed packet $3 4?6" plant 2+
years old $8.50
Gentiana sp. CC5932
Gentianaceae. Rosettes of smooth blue-green leaves. Flowers not yet seen,
likely blue. A Chadwell collection from the mountains of Tibet at over
13,000'. Unlike some Alpine gentians this one has been easy to grow in
well drained gravelly soil. Z5a? Plant 3 years old $7.50
Hypericum laricifolium BK09512.1 ?Chinchancu? ?Romerillo?
Hypericaceae. Soft feathery shrub to 6' tall. Small dense acicular leaves.
Yellow St. John?s Wort flowers. Source of a yellow dye. Used medicinally
as a diuretic and shown to have antibacterial and antiinflammatory
actions. Bird and bee forage. The dominant shrub above the eastern end of
Orconcocha, 13,000', Ancash Dept., Peru. This was probably once Polylepis
forest that was cut for cattle grazing, this Hypericum is a pioneer
species on disturbed lands in the eastern slopes of the northern Andes.
Highly ornamental. Z7? 4?6" plant 2+ years old $9.50
Pernettya prostrata BK09512.3 ?Macha-macha?
Ericaceae. Evergreen subshrub to 18". Pink or red stems with small leaves,
dark green and shiny. Bell shaped white flowers followed by black berries.
The berries are said to be edible but if too many are eaten cause a kind
of inebriation. The Quechua name ?macha-macha? means ?drunken?. Growing
amongst rocks, streamside, Polylepis weberbaueri forest, 12,200', Ancash
Dept., Peru. Z7a 4?6" plant 2 years old $10
Phytolacca insularis ?Korean Poke?
Phytollacaceae. Herbaceous bush to 10' with simple leaves, red stems,
pinkish flowers and black berries. An endangered and rare Korean endemic
poke, conservation through propagation is encouraged. The leaves have
anti-viral compounds. Part shade and rich soil. Z6? Plant 2?3 years
old $7.50
Saracha aff. punctata BK08524.5
Solanaceae. A staggeringly gorgeous plant and one of our most appealing
seed collections in 2008. Tree 20?40+' with oval leaves and festooned in
hundreds of 1" bell flowers, pale lavender to dark purple with cream
colored veination. 1/2" round black fruit. Looks strangely like an
arborescent belladonna! Planted at rural homesteads in the village of
Huacahuasi, 12,500', Cusco Dept., Peru. The only information we could
gather is that it is grown as an ornamental. Since our initial collection
we have also seen it planted above 13,000' at Patacancha village and
observed a few wild specimens growing in remnant forest along the Rio
Trapiche between Huacahuasi and Lares. We are excited to offer it into
cultivation for the very first time so it can take a place in the garden
next to its other exotic arborescent solanaceous kin such as Brugmansia,
Iochroma, Cestrum, etc. Easy and straightforward to grow. So far it has
not proven to be quite as cold hardy as we expected, young plants only
tolerate mild frost, we would expect mature specimens to be hardy below
Z8b. 6?8"+ rooted cutting $24.50
Satureja multiflora ?Alwe Lawen? ?Menta de Arbol?
Labiatae. Aromatic shrub to 5'. Rich green simple leaves, deep-pink
tubular flowers to entice hummingbirds. An endangered species from central
Chile. This is a lovely Andean yerba buena with a pleasing mint-like
scent. A tea is used for stomach problems. Sun to part shade and regular
moisture. Z9a or b 8?12" plant 1+ years old $7.50
Vaccinium consanguineum ?Paramo Huckleberry?
Ericaceae. 4?12' evergreen shrub with densely packed glossy blue
green-leaves 1?2" long. Masses of white tinged-pink bell flowers swell to
become 1/3" red then blue-black berries when fully ripe. Native to the
high elevation cloud forest and paramo in Cartago Province, Costa Rica. If
picked early the berries have a disagreeable flavor, but once fully ripe
they are quite delicious. Sun to part shade. Cold stratify for best
germination. Z8b Seed packet $3.50 4?6" plant 2+ years old $8.50
SHIPPING & HANDLING:
Seeds? First class mail USA $2.00; Air mail international $4.00
Plants (USA only)? First class priority mail= $6.00 for the first plant
$1.50 each additional plant.
Seeds ride free when ordered with plants.
Add $1 per plant if you want them sent potted.
CA RESIDENTS ADD 8.25% SALES TAX
We still only take Cash (USD$ or Euros), Money Orders, or Checks.
Foreign customers, inquire about Paypal payments
You can print out an order form-
http://www.sacredsucculents.com/orderform.pdf
and mail it with payment to our Po Box
SACRED SUCCULENTS
PO Box 781, Sebastopol, CA 95473 USA
Email: sacredsucculents at hushmail.com
http://www.sacredsucculents.com
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