Tower of Jewels plant

[Adsos Letter]

Our Tower of Jewels plant is beginning to open. It's the first time I've tried to grow one. It's only about 2' tall at the moment, but the thing grew 12" over the last 48 hours. It will supposedly get between 8-9' tall, and covered with little magenta flowers. Then it dies (it only lives two years, staying between 6-8" high during the first season).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echium_wildpretii

Anyway...

Tower of Jewels (Echium wildpretii)
[url=https://flic.kr/p/Gbxpih][img][/img][/url]

[url=https://flic.kr/p/G8a8cg][img][/img][/url]

[NV Whino]

1. Nice shots

I especially like the second one. Nicely done.

I've tried to grow those at my place, but never had any luck. Wrong climate, wrong soil, just plain don't like me?

[Adsos Letter]

2. I have this one in a pot.

I used very sandy soil, stuck it in full sun, and rarely watered it last year (which is what Mid-City Nursery recommended). This year I am
supposed to water it weekly, and every other day in hot weather.

We will see.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. Wow, my dear Adsos Letter!

GREAT photos!

What a beautiful plant.

I hope you will continue to photograph it as the flowers open!

Congrats on successfully raising it.

[Adsos Letter]

4. Thanks, California Peggy!

I'm hoping I can keep it alive. We get some wind around here during the summer.

[mnhtnbb]

5. Never heard of it--how fun!

Looking forward to more shots as it grows.

I could never deal with a plant requiring that much individual attention. Good luck!

[NV Whino]

7. These things grow really well in the wild

But they don't like to be domesticated.

[Adsos Letter]

8. I have most of the front on drip, but some things out there need hand watering.

I enjoy being out in the garden and yard. The only time it's a hassle is when we go away somewhere, but we have the daughter of a family friend staying with us for a few months so she walks our three dogs and waters while we are away. In fact, we'll be going to La Jolla for about 10 days in a week or so.

[mnhtnbb]

11. Lucky you to have someone to watch the pups and care for the yard.

I'm going to be in Solana Beach for a wedding in August--my brother's youngest son--and I
haven't been back to La Jolla since 2009 for the 40th of my high school graduation.

[scottie10]

6. Interesting plant

I never heard of them. For the last two years I've been growing a couple of succulents. Had not been able to grow them in the past. Last winter, every time we had a warm day, especially if raining, I would take them outside and this seems to work. It's really fun and rewarding to grow something new and challenging. Thanks for the lovely pictures of the Tower of Jewels.

[Adsos Letter]

9. Gardening is one of my hobbies.

We have a succulent out front that is starting to bloom. I have no idea how to tend them, as it is my wife's baby.

[scottie10]

10. Gardening

It's one of mine too. I spend a lot of the spring, summer, and fall, digging weeds and planting more flowers. My Mom says I'll just get old (I'm 68) and have to leave them, but it's so much enjoyment to see them and to work in them that I won't stop until I have to.

I just started with a dish of succulents a couple years ago and kept them alive during winter by taking them outside when a warm spell would come. During spring, summer and fall they stay outside, and they do really well there. I bought about five more this spring. Would you ask your wife what makes them bloom? I'd love to know.

[Agschmid]

12. Very cool, and interesting plant!

[Adsos Letter]

13. Yes.

It can get windy here during the summer. I hope it can survive it if it hits the expected height.