Camassia

Cultivation : Camassia prefers to grow well, both in full sun or light shades. They grow well in well-drained soils that are more humid. The bulb flowers mostly naturalizes well in gardens. The paces where they grow are light shaded forests, rocky outcrops and also in meadows. They are found in sides of stream and rivers also. Though they naturalizes well, there is a problem that, the leaves die slowly in summer, ultimately makes the mow difficult. It is preferable to grow them in an area, where the leaves can be let to die naturally and fall. The bulbs must be planted for about 4 inches deep and about 6 inches apart. Planting them is good to be done in the early autumn. Care must be taken, to see to that the soil is not waterlogged in winter, since rich humid moist soil retains its moisture. In cold areas the soil can be mulched, in order to protect the bulbs in late autumn. During the summer, they must be watered freely. Thus growing Camassia needs some care to be taken, though they are easy to grow.

Propagation : Propagation methods for Camassia are so simple. The propagation includes two methods, seeds and the offsets. In the seed method, the seeds are collected in a tray and put in a cold frame. When it is ripe in summer, the collected seeds are sown. The other method is the offsets. In this method, the offsets that have formed round the main bulbs are removed. The removed bulbs are replanted individually, for about four inches deep and six inches apart. This replanting is done during the autumn for better results. Even though both the methods are simple, many prefer the first one, by seeds. When propagated by offsets, the bulbs must be taken for long time, to make good results. Moreover the plants spread their seeds by itself rather than by runners. This makes the plant to grow almost in all places, even in unwanted areas. These are the propagation methods of Camassia.

Varieties : As said earlier, there are six species under the genus Camassia. There are not lots of variety under Camassia at the same time their varieties are unique and special. There are various common names give to their other varieties as follows. Camassia angusta, is known as the Prairie Camas. Camassia cusickii, is known as the Cusick’s Camas which occurs in eastern Oregon. Camassia howellii, is known as the Howell’s Camas. Camassia leichtinii, is known as the Large or Great Camas, which occurs in the west of the Cascade Mountains. Camassia quamash, is known as the Indian or small Camas. Camassia scilloides, is known as the Atlantic Camas, which occurs in the eastern of Nothern America. The habitat ranges along the Atlantic states from Maryland to Gorgia and westawards of Texas. Michigan and Wisconsin also includes.

Disease and Cure : The Camassia does not seem to be prone to disease. They are fairly resistant to diseases. Their foliage dies slowly in summer, creating difficulty in mowing. This is one of the characteristics of the plant and may not be misunderstood as a disease. Camassia is also not seemed to be attacked by pests. There are some other plants, whose scent attracts bunnies, which attacks them. Camassia have the ability to avoid bunnies. Thus it may also be used as a repellant for bunnies. Therefore it may be considered that there no problems with Camassia.

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