kniphofia aka red-hot poker?

17 years ago

Any kniphofia experts out there? I love it and was looking forward to the two big blooms shooting up from my northside stand three weeks ago. To my dismay, only half the bloom came into full flower this year. The stand seems healthy enough, and I can already see propigation occurring for blooms 2-3 years down the road, but what happened this year?

Wet roots/rain, rain, rain?--it is a South African plant right? (my first guess)

Not enough sun?--I live in a little woodland cul-de-sac where I thought I found the perfect (and only) places to plant my full sun perennials. I planted two stands of kniphofia two years ago from the same nursery, and the one on the southeast side of the house had more sun, similar soil amendments and attention but failed last year. The clouds and dark skies of the last few weeks probably played a part (guess #1a).

Soil amendment/fertility?--sandstone/limestone is par for the course around my house, but I've followed the rules for kniphofia as best as I can tell. Nitrogen deficiency?

The great cold snap of '07?

Any guesses or solutions would be appreciated.

As a side note, the OKC zoo had some great kniphofia displays last year, and for me, flora seems to trump fauna more and more every year. And this coming from someone who spent 4 years in Yellowstone NP!

Side note #2: Any good advice on transplanting kniphofia? I did move a small clump last spring about a foot away from the mother plant, and it seems to be doing well. I see a few new shoots this year that look like perfect gifts; should I tempt fate? Or is it too late?

By the way, long time lurker, first time poster, all time nerdy gardener.

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Comments (4)

susanlynne48
17 years ago
Snowbishop - welcome, welcome - once you officially post, you can no longer lurk - those are the rules! LOL!

The only thing I know about kniphofia is that they CANNOT stand wet feet. They like dry soil, lots of sun, good drainage. Some are hardier than others. Do you know what species or cultivar you have?

The recent rains may have something to do with bloom failure, e.g., too much water. I've grown them before in pots as an annual. But, I think a lot of people grow them as perennials, depending on our weather and their conditions. You can buy the rhizomes fairly cheap at Home Depot or Lowe's. They probably would have done really well in last year's drought! Teehee!

There are some really pretty ones out there in the market today, but at the big box stores you'll probably just find the common variety.

Good luck!

Susan
merryheart
17 years ago
I don't know much at all about this plant although I should try it from what I have read. But what I read when I looked it up is that many of the varities do not bloom until a little later when it is hotter. And for sure they would not like being in a location which is not well drained. They also sound like they need LOTS of sun.

There are many varities of this plant. I wonder which is best for our area? Perhaps someone will respond to this post who knows all about them.

Welcome to this forum! As Susan said...no more lurking...lol. This is a great place to hang out and to make friends. I love it! Everyone is so nice and friendly and HELPFUL!

I don't know if the link below would be helpful to you or not.

G.M.

Here is a link that might be useful: Red Hot Poker
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thesnowbishop
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks for the replies guys.

I was surprised that the blooms came so quickly this year; I didn't expect any activity until at least June.

I've convinced myself that the rains and wet weather had a lot to do with the failure, and I don't know that any additional soil amendment could have kept their feet from a little wetness. The stand still looks very healthy, and I will probably move a few shoots to my mother's lawn as an apt gift for Mother's Day (what good mother has not done a little hot prodding in her time?). She has better full sun sites anyway. All of the literature on this plant seems to advise against disturbing the rhizomes, but the offshoots on the edge are fair game for me.

I bought the original plant from Marcum's Nursery, along with some great phlox. I've been very happy with all the plants, and I am a little leery of the big chain stores' offerings. Some of my chain store glad hybrids and bleeding hearts failed to materialize. I did, however, just add a Walmart six pack of salvia to my herb/butterfly garden.

I'll try not to lurk any longer. Happy Gardening!
susanlynne48
17 years ago
In utilizing the big box stores (Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe's), you have to be plant savvy. Know what you're looking for, and what you're getting into.

Marcum's is wonderful IMHO. If they just weren't so far away from me. In my ambition to go native, I've ordered from a few native sources, and purchased plants the other day at the Harn Homestead plant sale from Wild Things (they have natives only), and their plants are FANTASTIC!

Susan