Don't know the species of Khmer Orange, and there are some other forms that I'd bet are all the same species. Curcuma are very poorly known as there are several unid'ed things out there, and not many taxonomists working on them. those that are know that this is one confusing genus to work with!! C. gracillima and C. rhabdota are two valid species, however I don't think anyone is growing the real C. gracillima (it ain't much though anyway). C. rhabdota is what is being called candy cane and its other forms/names burnt burgundy, violet, zebra, chocolate zebra etc etc etc. Maroon Curcuma, have to see that for sure, but the ones i've seen labeled as maroon are usually forms of C. attenuata which is extremely variable. There is a species similar to C. aurantiaca (not sure what it really is) that can have a lot of bright orange in it. It hybridizes and there are some good hybrids coming out with lots of orange and different colored tops. They of course are much easier to grow than C. roscoeana. If you've seen the thai curcuma book, there is a solid red hybrid in there that has major potential.. kinda has a roscoena/cordata like form. I finally have the red parent that was used and hope to recreate this beauty. Most breeders are focusing on C. alismatifolia type crosses, fortunately there are some good people working on other types. Tim Chapman Tim Chapman

Chena, Gingers are wonderful plants. I grow Alpinia, Globba, Kaempferia,Curcuma, Zingiber, and Hedychium gingers, and Costus (which used to be classified as a ginger, but isn't anymore). Over 60 in all. And every one is a favorite when it blooms. You say pictus is in bloom now? Are you container growing it? I thought you were in Zone 7 and I really didn't think that one would grow reliably in the ground in your zone. Steve

AS YOU SEE THE DATE IS OCT. 15 AND IT IS GOING DORMANT. YOU MIGHT FIND THAT IT DOES THIS EACH TIME YOU CHANGE ITS SOIL OR GROWING CONDITIONS. I GROW MINE IN THE YARD WITH PLENTY OF WATER AFTER WARM UP IN SPRING. PINEBARK HAS BEEN THE BEST SOURCE OF FLOWER STALKS IN SPRING AND IF WATERED TOO SOON WILL ONLY PRODUCE LEAVES. REGULAR GROUND PLANT MATTER WITH BLACK COW IS A GOOD SOURCE FOR APTS. ECT. I HAVE IT EVERYWHERE AND YOURS IS GROWING NEW SHOOTS TO CONSERVE ITSELF. I HAVE JUST CLIPPED OFF THE OLD STALKS AND LET THE NEW SHOOTS GROW.

Yep. Particularly for me--- SoCal and indeterminate tomatoes. I'm doing "ok" with my beneficials but I'm still working on the diversity of plants to attract the pirate bugs and such. I'm still trying to figure out how to get some buckwheat and/or alfalfa into my tiny backyard. And I don't ever see yarrow or tansy seeds/seedlings at the garden centers. I was hoping that lacewings would be able to take care of these pests because I definitely am going to purchase some in the next week. I just don't want to shell out more money for the "other" beneficials if I don't have a nice home for them to put out future generations. Looks like UC IPM isn't as thorough for the tomato bug as they are for other pests. You never had to deal with them when you lived down here jean? Thanks Kevin