my scilla madeirensis

[Arda Takan]

Hello everyone,
I received one little Scilla madeirensis bulb today. I know it is a non-hard plant but we are in the middle of summer so I am not sure about what I am going to do with it. I bought it because I didn't want to miss the opportunity. Please help.
best regards

[PeterT]

plant it in sandy soil, soak it, allow to dry and wait for Automn. plant it shallow.

[Arda Takan]

Ah it is an Autumn flowering bulb! I tought it was summer flowering my ignorance . So why am I soaking it and letting it dry? What is the point?

[PeterT]

It is shallow growing, and from a maritime climate, you need to 'wash' the soil round the bulb so that it is protected. Like when you plant a tree -so that there is not too much air around the roots.

[brianw]

Does it have any roots Arda?
I repotted some young ones of mine yesterday and dampened them a bit to stop the roots drying too much, but I don't expect any growth until autumn. The larger bulb clumps are still drying from the spring, although a contact of mine puts his outside in summer so unless they are very well sheltered they will get some water and not be as dry as mine.

[Arda Takan]

No it doesn't. It seems pretty dormant.

[brianw]

Hi Arda
If it has no roots I would certainly encourage it with a little moisture now. As you can see from this Kew link http://www.kew.org/news/kew-blogs/alpine-rock-garden/giant-madeiran-squill.htm mature bulbs tend to sit on the surface, but if it is a 1 to 2 year old seedling bulb, say 1-2cm diameter, I would pot it with just the neck showing. It will push itself up as it grows.
Note the Kew article says flowering mid November. Actual flowering time may be different for you, and I have seen them in flower from late September, early October here.

[Arda Takan]

Also I must say we live in a terrastial climate I don't know which zone it is. So can I grow it indoors since it is not hardy and I cannot go to gardenhouse frequently.

[Arda Takan]

You probably feel sorry about the bulb because of my ignorance about maritime bulbs,

[brianw]

Madeira seems to be ~13-20C in winter and 17-24 in summer, so if you can give it adequate light it would seem to be OK as a house plant in a cool room. Mine goes down to 7C often in winter, with much lower light levels, but does not seem to mind too much. I can't be more helpfull than that.

[PeterT]

needs very good light and good drainage, hates getting frozen. Maritime climates are moderated by the sea temperature and tend not to get so dry as inland

[Arda Takan]

Then it will do fine as a house plant I guess? But how will it activate its autumn hormones? Moisture will sure make and effect but how will I simulate decreasing temp.

[PeterT]

put it outside untill the frost, and give it a little water when the temperature drops. Mine are on a windowsill and can tell when Automn is here anyway.

[Arda Takan]

So no watering until autumn?

[PeterT]

I would water it once, when planting it, then again in Automn