
cnet CULTURAL DIRECTIONS  _. 

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Drainage is perhaps the first requirement of Western plants, so plant 
them where moisture, especially in winter, ie nists collect and stand about the 
crown. 
‘Qur soil is ae of rock and gravel with decayed vegetable matter and 
-some silt added. This is often underlain with stony clay. Clay and gravel 
seem in-effect to be quite similar, The same species is sometimes found grow- 
ing. equally:well in either. This means to' me, that it is not necessary to 
haul in. gravel to make a drained soil if a slope and an impervious surface will 
get: the same result. Your own soil formula may be as effective as any I could 
give and if you get in am extra shovel of this or that it may be better. 
I would advise, however, the liberal use of rocks and gravel, not alone on the 
surface, but to a considerable depth. The free circulation of air and moisture 
is.-important to cool the soil by evaporation as well as for quick drainage. 
In addition to good drainage at all seasons, including winter, high 
hountain plants usually have ample moisture in spring when the snows are melt- 
ing, and freauent showers later, but may get quite dry in late summer. How 
important this drying out is, is debatable; but it may be advantageous to some 
species to with hold moisture after flowering ‘and induce a semi-dormint period. 
It seems logical that the time to move plants is during, or at the beginning 
of this dormancy, holding them in storage if necessary until a suitable plant- 
ing time, or allowing them to have their rest with only enough moisture in hot 
weather to prevent brittleness. ‘When plants are received,: remove the wrap- 
ings and set the package in water over night. Remove from the water and 
keep in cool place until ready to plant. If there is to be a long delay, 
cover the roots with dirt or the whole package with moss. 
_ Anyone who ever stood on a mountain top knows that the air circulates 
about alpines. I don't go so far as to recommend an electric fan, but suggest 
you avoid smoothering alpines among more aggressive plants. Make use of slopes 
and banks if you have them. They assist both air circulation and drainage. 
Sun shines. hot on western mountains, but rocks and rapid evaporation absorbe 
the. heat A large rock may reflect heat to a-désert ;plant on one side and 
shade, the site of an alpine on the other. Light shade that does not restrict 
air circulation may prove an advantage in your long season area. 
‘Rocky Mt. soils are usually neutral or. mildly acid; but range from pH=-5 
pepe 22, sphagnum bog to pH-8 over limestone. Most plants. seem to adapt 
regularly. to some, Vdriation in soil acidity:if oy eee moisturs, air, light, 
and temperature are satisfactory. 
_:, ° Plants from the dry plains take ordinary soil conditions, but with mois- 
3 ture*decreased. . Ferns and woods plants prefer a sandy humus over a porous 
~ subsoil.» They do not need the air circulation of i aah but prefer shade 
and frequent moisture. : 
- Silvery leaved plants are more abundant. pebhe areas of hot sun and drying 
winds, The villousness protecting the plant. Shade plants are more apt 
to. have large, thin and green leaves, though ‘this may be of little help in the 
culture of plants received without foliage and without labels. 
in handling seed, planting in sphagnum is recommended. Press the seed 
into $ inch pulverized sphagnum moss, availa ble from any florist, and spread 
over a good, well drained soil. Then cover with a pane of glass. Sprinkle 
as often as necessary to keep moss damp to the touch. Some seed germinate 
_ quickly, while others are more slow, sometimes coming even more abundantly 
a. second year. Due, no doubt, to the controlled conditions of the alpine 
house, many Westerns seem to be well suited for this type of culture. 
Even on quite familiar areas, I am continually finding plants overlooked 
before, and failing to find some known to be available from the area. What 
to include in a list of this sort is something of a problem. I try to list 
what I think you would like and that I am reasonably sure to find. MThere are, 
of course, many mores I cannot get to all areas often and sometimes musi 
eliminate unprofitable trips. If you have special interests, I would appree- 
ciate hearing of them, but make no promises, I do, however, wish you svery 
SUCCESS « 
Frank H. Rose, 1020 Foplar Street, Missoula, Montana. 

