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Dierama

KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,831
in Plants
Our Dierama all took a battering in the cold Winter. Normally they have lots of dead leaves at this point, but a similar number of alive/green leaves, however they all look completely brown now.

We normally cut out any brown leaves in Spring. Have any of your ever hard cut the whole plant down to ground level? I know they are supposed to resent disturbance, and I've read that it's not even recommended to cut out dead leaves, but we have been doing so for years with no problem. However, we have never cut the whole plant down to the ground.

Would hate to lose them, we love them.

Posts

  • Papi JoPapi Jo Posts: 4,254
    edited April 2023
    I've had Dierama in the garden, loved them and ... lost them in the end. The problem is not so much those leaves being brown, but the current state of the corms. If you pull out the remaining brown leaves, do the corms come off the ground as well, and look dead? If so, then I'm afraid your Dierama is dead. Could be the cold (do you protect the based with mulch, etc.?) or "cold wet feet"* or whatever.

    * This RSH Page says: "Dieramas are easy to plant, but take care to get the positioning correct, to ensure they thrive. They need plenty of warmth and free-draining soil, so avoid cold, shady or soggy conditions."

  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    They thrive here,  I am going to divide them this Spring,  I have read that to do that you can cut them right down,  has anyone divided them.
    I did collect seeds last year just in case I lost them.

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • thevictorianthevictorian Posts: 1,279
    I have seen John Lord (I know hes a bit manic for some) mention how every few years he cuts them right down to the ground to freshen them up but this does mean they don't flower that year.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    edited April 2023
    Thank you,  seems ok to cut them down for transplanting then,  better that they don’t flower in that year so they can concentrate on settling in their new places. 

    Sounds like succession sowing is the way to go. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,831
    We have divided and moved them before, but rarely do so, as they are supposed to not like being moved. I'll try pulling on the leaves to see if they are still attached to the corms, which might suggest the plants are still alive. Been growing them for 15 years and never had any problems before, but then the same happened with our Phormiums and Pittosporum (we lost some of both this Winter). 
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