Posted by Treeman
on 5/31/2008, 5:38 pm
152.133.7.132
This is one eucalyptus species that I feel has gotten a bad rap when it comes to its ability to withstand heat and humidity! This is one of many eucalyptus species that I have been testing here in Columbia, SC and this has been one of just a few that have made it through the dynamics of the weather here. We get temps in the summer near or better than 100F with humidity levels only a little bit lower. In the winter temps can drop to the low teens and sometime make it to the single digits when the wind-chill is factored in. What is even more detrimental to plants here is that it can be a 20 degree or better temperature difference from one day to the next, like this past Tuesday we had a high in the mid 60's and the next day it was in the upper 80's to lower 90's!!! Even in the winter we could be in the low twenties and the next day or so be in the 60's and 70's or even higher!!! This little eucalypt has had it through all of this with virtually no mark at all! Sure, it may not grow as fast or as tall because of the extreme heat and humidity but it sure looks just absolutely fabulous, especially considering how some of my other eucalyptus species (and even regular type trees) have fared. I got these Eucalyptus niphophila seed (and many of the others I am growing) from Milligan Seeds. Here is a list of how some of the others have done:
Eucalyptus approximans (total loss: in 4" cells in flats under cover/no heat)
Eucalyptus archerii (very little damage: 4" cells in flats under cover/no heat)
Eucalyptus 'Baby Blue' (heavy damage: 2" cells in flats under cover/no heat)
Eucalyptus bicostata (total loss: 2" & 4" cell undercover/no heat)
Eucalyptus camphora (little damage: 2" cells in flats under cover/no heat)
Eucalyptus coccifera (little to no damage: 1 gal. containers outside)
Eucalyptus cordata (total loss: 4" cells and 1 gal. containers)
Eucalyptus crenulata (slight damage: 1 & 3 gal. containers)
Eucalyptus deanei (total loss: 1 & 3 gal. containers)
Eucalyptus glaucescens (total loss: 1 gal. containers)
Eucalyptus gregsoniana (little-moderate damage: 4" cells under cover/no heat)
Eucalyptus gunnii (very blue) (little to no damage: 4" cells)
Eucalyptus leucoxylon (moderate to heavy damage: 4" cells and 1 gal. containers)
Eucalyptus ligustrina (total loss: 4" cells)
Eucalyptus macarthurii (moderate damage: 2" cells)
Eucalyptus mitchelliana (total loss: 1 gal. containers)
Eucalyptus morrisbyii (total loss: 2" cells)
Eucalyptus neglecta (very little damage: 2" cells)
Eucalyptus nicholii (little damage: 1 gal. containers)
Eucalyptus nitens 'Select' (total loss: 1 gal. containers)"A real surprise here"
Eucalyptus parvula (little damage: 2" cells)
Eucalyptus pauciflora (little-no damage: 1 gal. containers)
Eucalyptus perriniana (little-no damage: 2" cells)
Eucalyptus rodwayii (heavy damage: 2" & 4" cells)
Eucalyptus rubida (total loss: 2" & 4" cells)
Eucalyptus scoparia (total loss: 1 & 3 gal. containers)
Eucalyptus stellulata (little-moderate damage: 1 gal. containers)
Eucalyptus subcrenulata (moderate damage: 2" cells)
Eucalyptus urnigera(glaucous) (very little damage: 2" & 4" cells)
Eucalyptus youmanii (total loss: 2" & 4" cells)
These are my preliminary results. Having these still in flats was due to my own error. I should have had them all in at least 1 gal. containers. I was trying to do too much by myself. Some of these I am now growing again with the goal of getting them all in containers outside. I will continue to give you results down the road.
Back to my original point: Eucalyptus niphophila needs to have a second look when it is considered for the deep south, especially the Mid-Atlantic states! If anyone has anything to add to my comments please do, as I am still considered a 'newby' in the eucalypt growing field.
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