John, did you read Uncle Derek's comments about it? That may help shed some light on it.

We don't grow them here because they're not tropical, but that wouldn't be an issue where you are. Judging by the FCBS photos it does form quite a thicket, though. Maybe not the best for pot culture.

Here is a link that might be useful: Uncle Derek says: O. carnea/litoralis

I am still learning my way around the FCBS site, I looked at the photos, and thought they looked interesting.I did not see what Uncle Derek had to say until you posted the link. They do refer to them as "ground cover" in the listing, but I owuld think they would still grow ok in pots, they just might have to be thinned once in awhile.

Thanks Lisa!

John,
I would think that they would grow pretty well for us "northerners". We could probably have them outside for longer than most of our broms- even take a few light frosts, and then a cool sunny window for the winter. I visited the Dublin (Ireland- not Ohio) Botanic Garden in early October of 2001. It had both Ochagavia carnea and Fascicularia bicolor planted permanently in outdoor beds. At the time of my visit they were just starting to come into bloom. I would imagine that Dublin has a very similar climate to the plants' native environment in coastal Chile.
Paul

Ochagavia carnea at Dublin Botanic Garden

{{gwi:440791}}

Fascicularia bicolor at Dublin Botanic Garden

{{gwi:440793}}

Sometimes back I managed to obtain and grow both the Ochgavia carnea & Fascicularia bicolor. However, both didn't grow well and eventually die.

Just woondering if Puya that is from cold mountain area in South America and is able to grow in the tropics, why the O. carnea & F. bicolor don't?

Bambi John,
My friend Nadine (cractpot) posted a photo of her Ochagavia carnea a few weeks ago on this forum in the post titled "Names Confusion" by Japie. It looks a bit different to the one shown by Paul when in Ireland, but I think someone 'in the know' did identify Nadine's as O. carnea. Nadine lives in Melbourne, where she flowered it. She kindly sent me a lovely healthy pup, which I have potted in a fine, gritty mix and a largish pot. I live about 1500km (900 miles) north of Melbourne. I figured if I get another black frost like last winter, then at least my ochagavia will survive, and maybe even flower for me.
I agree with the others that you could probably grow it well in Ohio, even keeping it outdoors all year, planted permanently in the garden.

Cheers,
Kerry

Kerry, We have 6 inches of snow right now and the temp is about -8C. I don't think they would survive here, but they could probably stay outside from April through November. I had to bring in the other plants in September and October. I took a nice sunrise photo from my front porch this morning, and it despite the colorful sky it was and looks cold!

Off to e-bay to get some seed!

{{gwi:440795}}

Did anyone else get any of this seed? I got 20, and not 1 has germinated!

John, there are two possibilities. One is that the seed needs high temperatures to promote germination. I've noticed that some of my winter planted seeds, particularly some Orthophytums, do nothing until my greenhouse temperatures are up into the 80's. The second (and sadly more likely) possibility is simply that the seed you received was too old, and not viable when you planted it. I have often found this to be the case with seed that I've ordered from the BSI seed fund. I know it's frustrating.
Paul