Winter is coming

[ralphrmartin]

At least, this Testudinaria thinks that summer is over...

[ralphrmartin]

Incidentally, you can see the annual growth rings on the outside of this plant...

[Tina]

yous is slow I have 3 ft vines already, is that flowers ?

[Ospreywatcher]

Still waiting for mine, a bit later this year than in previous years. Nice looking plant, much lighter in colour than my one.

[Keith H]

Mine sprang into life three weeks ago and promptly got scorched leaves, glad to say it has recovered in the cooler weather and is growing like a good one again.

[ralphrmartin]

yous is slow I have 3 ft vines already, is that flowers ?

I flowered profusely last year, so quite possibly yes. They are tiny flowers for such a big plant...

[iann]

Looks similar, but a summer grower.

[saddlestoneman]

My Testudinaria is shooting well and into leaf. If it behaves as in previous years, it will produce more shoots and leaf throughout the UK winter. Maybe the shoots near the base will turn into flowers?

I've always wondered when grown in the northern hemisphere, does this South African plant now 'think' it's coming into summer, hence why it comes out of dormancy? During what local season do they shoot, leaf and flower in their native environment?

best regards ... Stef

[D^L]

South Africa has a rich range of rainfall areas but this plant comes from a winter rainfall area. So it gets rain in winter - short days - and grows then. It does the same in the northern hemisphere - growing when the days are short.
Cheers
David Lambie
Bristol

[saddlestoneman]

Thanks David, that's most useful.

Would be interesting to see what happens if you moved a plant from South Africa to the UK (legally of course). How long would it take to switch its habits by 6 months.

best regards ... Stef