skip to main content

Breeding neos for hardiness

14 years ago

I can grow most of my neos with only slight protection in winter on my terrace and I know some also will take temperatures as low as -2Â°C and the prolonged cold and moisture without being damaged, but in the landscape we can expect temperatures down to -3, -4Â°C every winter.

Are there some neo species or hybrids that are in anyones experience more hardy than the others? I would like to use them for creating some hybrids that could be used as landscaping plants here in Rome.

Tomas

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

kerry_t_australia
14 years ago
G'day Tomas - nice to hear from you.

The numero uno Neo to survive my own frosty experience of -8 C, with barely a blemish, was the species Neo. compacta. Rated second-best for cold-hardiness, again just from personal experience, was Neo. cruenta - and hybrids of it. Neo. spectabilis and Neo. kautskyi, although damaged, also fared better than most.
Of the small-growing and miniature Neos, the Aussie hybrid Neo. 'Ritzy' was the winner in the landscape under those extremes. Neo. 'Marble Throat', and other hybrids/cultivars of Neo. chlorosticta, also survived with minimal damage.

I hope this helps you Tomas. I think it a great idea to attempt creating more cold-tolerant hybrids for your conditions. Good luck! - and keep us posted?

Cheers,
Kerry
bromadams
14 years ago
Kerry, while it's not a Neo, did you have Ae distichantha? If so, how did it do?
Related Discussions
Neo offshoots
Q
Comments (3)
It kind of depends on what type of Neoregelia you have whether or not it will look better if you remove the pups. Some stoloniferous ones like 'Fireball' etc. look better as big clumps, and the stolons hold them far enough away from the mother plant that they don't suffer from crowding. Most, though, will start to look crowded. This doesn't really hurt the plant any, and you can leave it that way if you want, it's more of an aesthetic thing since the form of the rosette is an important feature on a lot of Neos. Also, you are likely to get more pups if you remove them than if you don't, but if you're not interested in propagating the plant then that won't matter. As hotdiggety says, if you do decide to remove them, 1/2 the size of the mother is a good time to do it. I don't have any trouble removing and starting Guzmania pups either where I live, but I've heard many in less tropical climates say they are very touchy so maybe best to wait until they're almost mature size. Or you can leave the clump together and just put the whole thing in a bigger pot, as you suggest. The mother will start getting brown leaves sooner or later, but just remove them as they appear, and in time the whole plant will be gone, but the pups will be mature by then, and will more than fill in the gap. When you remove an old flower head it's best to cut the stalk as far down as you can, just because an old stump looks ugly and serves no purpose to the plant.
...See More
Another fast breeding Neo
Q
Comments (1)
My original 'Piemento' in 2005,produced these two offsets,about ready to bloom now.
...See More
Cross breeding of Rose of Sharon
Q
Comments (17)
There is a yellow rose of sharon Rose of sharon go through sports when u grow them from seeds, I grew some from seeds from my mother plant and I have a white one qith a purple center and I have another 1 that has flower buds on it but hasnt open im waiting to see what color there going to be
...See More
Anyone breeding blackberries for zone 4
Q
Comments (0)
Tired of zone 5 blackberries that can not handle zone 5 temps . I currently rely on local wild blackberries that are on my acreage . Kiowa can't take the temp and the thorn less ones I tried failed . Illini hardy is very thorny but good . I moved and never got more due to the thorns . Planted a couple triple crown last year . Thinking of trying to breed my own . Anyone else working on breeding . I know the seeds are hard to start .
...See More
kerry_t_australia
14 years ago
Nick - My many clumps of Ae. distichantha around the garden sailed through that black frost - with only very slight damage to those in the most exposed areas. As it is native to southern Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, and northern Argentina, it is considerably cold-hardy.

K
splinter1804
14 years ago
Hi Tomas

I've sent you an email with some info about this topic.

I didn't post it here because I didn't know how to. It's in PDF format so if anyone can tell me how to post it, I can share it with you all.

All the best, Nev
tomas
Original Author
14 years ago
Hi Kerry,

thank you, I am with you even if you cannot see me, following this forum and learning a lot.

Your experience confirms other data I have, I think N. cruenta, compacta, chlorosticta and spectabilis will be the most appropriate.

From another source I also have these as quite cold hardy: N. Fosperior,macwilliamsii, olens, concentrica, if you grow them, what was their behaviour?

Hi Nev,

thank you for your mail, this document is still on the FCBS site, not a PDF but the same, there is even another one. See the link below, that page contains the two links considering the cold hardiness in thei title. I use these always as the first reference, unfortunately as far as the neos are considered, only one is included in the coldest category.

Funny, the N. kautkyi is in the D26-28F category on FCBS, for Kerry it did well, for me it is undamaged at 28F. Just Einmal ist keinmal :-)

Tomas

Here is a link that might be useful: cold sensitivity on FCBS

Related Stories

Shop Houzz: Inner PDX Industrial

Hardy surfaces, natural elements and off-kilter soft flourishes make up the urban Portland look

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Industrial-Edged Comfort in Pittsburgh

By Lauren Piasecki/Black Cherry Design

Copper, cantilevers and a cat named Mr. Martin come together in this contemporary homage to regional style

GARDENING GUIDES 8 Plants That Snobs Love to Hate — and You'll Love to Grow

Don't dismiss these common annuals, perennials and shrubs — there are reasons they've been popular for so long

PLANTING IDEAS These Aren’t Your Grandparents’ Junipers

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Dislike junipers? Maybe it’s time to discover new varieties and new uses for this garden workhorse

GARDENING GUIDES Bright Plants for Flower Beds That Wow

From new annual and perennial varieties to grasses, get dramatic with swaths of color

FARM YOUR YARD Houzz Call: Show Us Your One-of-a-Kind Chicken Coops

By Annie Thornton

Do you have a fun or stylish backyard shelter for your feathered friends? Post your pictures and stories in the Comments!

GARDENING GUIDES Backyard Birds: Invite Entertaining Hummingbirds Into Your Garden

By Habitat Network

Hummingbirds — unique to the Americas — zip through open landscapes seasonally or year-round. Here’s how to attract them

PETS Houzz Call: Show Us Your Summer-Loving Dog!

By Mitchell Parker

Share a photo of your pooch kicking back in the backyard, helping you in the workshop or enjoying your favorite summer getaway

GARDENING GUIDES Garden-Friendly Native Alternatives to Overplanted Exotics

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

There are lots of gorgeous, wildlife-friendly native plants ready to make an appearance in your garden

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Porch Life: Banish the Bugs

By Becky Harris

Don't let insects be the bane of your sweet tea and swing time. These screening and product ideas will help keep bugs at bay on the porch

Sponsored

More Discussions

Droopy bromeliads why???

1