Acacia 'Cousin Itt'

9 years ago

How do I water this plant? Do I water thoroughly and allow to dry out? I keep killing these. Have you had success with this plant?

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gyr_falcon

9 years ago

I love Itts! But they are one of my nemesis plants. :( I spent $$$ on them, only to have their foliage become sparse--until I eventually pull them out. A nearby city botanical garden planted some and I made a point to check on their progress last summer. The dang plants were gorgeous! Unfortunately, I cannot ever find anyone there that would know, to ask what they are doing to make them thrive.

Some I have asked about the culture have told me they don't like the hot SoCal summers. The botanical garden does have a larger coastal influence. (I know from our move that 5-10 miles can make a lot of difference in how some plants grow.)

Sorry I cannot be of more help. Maybe someone else can help both of us be able to have thriving Itts.

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Comments (6)

hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
9 years ago
You mean these, gyr?

Morning sun, afternoon shade, and they like good drainage but regular water. Not xeric!
chezron thanked hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
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gyr_falcon
9 years ago
Those are the ones, hoovb. Actually, your listed growing conditions were what I thought I gave mine; morning sun, bright high shade in the afternoon, well drained soil. They got watered 3x/week with the main irrigation, but I have a feeling with the way our soil is, I need to water more frequently. (That would be more irrigation needed than my ground orchids!) I am hesitant to incorporate some more organic matter into our soil to help with the moisture, with them being Australian. Do you know if they are super sensitive to phosphorus like many of the other plants, or more similar to other acacias in that it does not automatically result in a quick death?
Jean
9 years ago
Monrovia grows them. Here's their descriptive page -

http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/5191/cousin-itt-little-river-wattle/

More info, this from San Marcos Growers - http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=3558
hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
9 years ago
I just about screamed when we came down the path and saw those looking so glorious. Then there were the dried up Wollemi pines right behind them.

Thought it was only Proteaceae that was phosphorous sensitive? I never gave mine any fertilizer and they died anyway.

The invaluable San Marcos site says :"fertilize with a low or coated phosphorus product." -- does that mean it needs a little P? or as little as possible?

The species common name is "river wattle", which implies...moisture to me. Ah, Australian site says: "Prefers moist situations and can grow very well in dappled shade." Off to water my sad survivor...
kittymoonbeam
9 years ago
If the Nsy uses poor potting mix, they will die regardless. On a good soil, they have a chance to succeed.