Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

Bulbs => Bulbs General => Topic started by: fermi de Sousa on January 02, 2014, 06:55:03 AM

Title: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on January 02, 2014, 06:55:03 AM
This has been flowering for a week or more, but is still in bloom so it deserves to start the New Year!
Cyanella hyacinthoides - sprays of little mauve flowers with prominent yellow anthers,
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: dominique on January 02, 2014, 11:04:35 AM
very nice Fermi, so delicate flowers ! are they difficult to grow ?
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnralphcarpenter on January 02, 2014, 06:56:13 PM
Melasphaerula ramosa today, a prolific self-seeder in the polytunnel.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on January 04, 2014, 08:01:05 PM
More African than South African

Crytostephanus vansonii fruit
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnralphcarpenter on January 14, 2014, 11:46:30 AM
Cyrtanthus mackenii
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on January 15, 2014, 03:26:35 AM
very nice Fermi, so delicate flowers ! are they difficult to grow ?
Hi Dom,
they don't seem too difficult, but I've only grown it as a potted specimen so far. We don't get heavy frosts - just down to -7oC. It flowers quite late in the season, too,
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on January 16, 2014, 03:39:51 PM
Gladiolus griseus
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: angie on January 16, 2014, 08:45:01 PM
Arnold thats really lovely, love the colour.

Angie  :)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Mark Griffiths on January 16, 2014, 11:08:37 PM
very nice, how tall is that Arnold?
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on January 17, 2014, 03:27:31 AM
Thanks you Angie.

Mark:
It stands about 29 inches tall.   
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Jean-Patrick AGIER on January 18, 2014, 02:51:47 PM
Pictures taken at Lyon's BG
I took the snapshots through the protecting glass but it seems quite good.
JP
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Darren on January 19, 2014, 04:33:10 PM
Four forms of Gladiolus maculatus, originating from the same packet of seed (from Silverhill about 12 years ago). The first form shown has been in flower since Christmas eve, the last is just opening today but all 4 have open flowers today so I have been cross-pollinating but previous attempts have only produced fertile seed in some years - the capsules swell but are full of chaff. Possibly something to do with cool, dull conditions here when the embryos are supposed to be forming.

Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on January 19, 2014, 11:52:39 PM
Darren:

# 3 is my favorite. The splashing of color is great.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Robert on January 20, 2014, 12:22:52 AM
Very Sweet! #3 is my favorite too.

Robert
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on January 20, 2014, 12:29:14 AM
# 3 is my favorite. The splashing of color is great.

Agreed, although they all look pretty good to me.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Darren on January 20, 2014, 07:28:29 AM
And of course 3, sadly, is the one with the weakest constitution! It doesn't flower every year and has not increased vegetatively.



Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: GordonT on January 20, 2014, 01:51:13 PM
And of course 3, sadly, is the one with the weakest constitution! It doesn't flower every year and has not increased vegetatively.
Hopefully you were able to do a cross between #2 and #3.... Perhaps that might build up the constitution of the seedlings??
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Darren on January 20, 2014, 02:17:47 PM
That is what I have done Gordon, these two are fairly close in colour and markings so would give the best chance of creating something analogous to 3 but a better grower. 2 is definitely a more vigorous plant.

I hope to post the results in about 4 years time... ;D
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Rafa on January 20, 2014, 05:47:59 PM
beautiful plants guys, Gladiolus is one of my favourite genus. Here Gladiolus priorii
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Mark Griffiths on January 20, 2014, 06:07:54 PM
I prefer no 2!

lovely colour Rafa
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Gerdk on January 21, 2014, 08:59:34 AM
beautiful plants guys, Gladiolus is one of my favourite genus. Here Gladiolus priorii

- almost as beautiful as a daffodil!    ;)

Gerd
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on January 21, 2014, 11:26:40 AM
- almost as beautiful as a daffodil!    ;)

Gerd

 .... or a Crocus!  ;)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnralphcarpenter on January 21, 2014, 12:18:03 PM
.... or a tulip!
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Brian Ellis on January 21, 2014, 01:13:18 PM
I'm saying nothing ;D
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on January 22, 2014, 04:40:46 PM
Freesia laxa albomaculata from surplus AGS seed bought last year at the summer show north and sown 17 June, germinated late July. I'm suprised to have it in flower within 6 months. I know they're quick but... :o
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnralphcarpenter on January 22, 2014, 05:14:14 PM
I also had Freesia laxa seed, labelled as "Red Spotted" from AGS surplus seed last year, which flowered in record time - sown 3rd April, in flower at beginning of December - see South African Bulbs 2013 reply#443.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Mark Griffiths on January 25, 2014, 07:50:19 PM
just don't let the seed drop. I've been spending alot of time pulling out corms that have seeded into the plunge (ok) or into other occupied pots (not so ok). The other thing that started causing problems was Acis nicaeensis, the worst time was when it got into a pot of Acis rosea.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Robert on January 26, 2014, 12:18:01 AM
just don't let the seed drop. I've been spending alot of time pulling out corms that have seeded into the plunge (ok) or into other occupied pots (not so ok). The other thing that started causing problems was Acis nicaeensis, the worst time was when it got into a pot of Acis rosea.

Mark,

Thanks for the heads up. So far our Acis nicaeensis have been behaving themselves. The climate is a bit different here in hot interior Northern California.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: YT on January 31, 2014, 01:55:35 PM
Romulea tortuosa, from Silvehill seeds, today.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on February 01, 2014, 07:32:46 PM
Lachenalia reflexa
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: YT on February 02, 2014, 06:36:43 AM
Nice one, Arnold!

Lachenalia viridiflora, spotted leaf, from Shilverhill Seeds. Today.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Mark Griffiths on February 02, 2014, 12:01:48 PM
that's nice, lovely colour
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Michael J Campbell on February 02, 2014, 03:24:28 PM
Romulea tetragona
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Mark Griffiths on February 02, 2014, 03:44:35 PM
that's a lovely colour too!
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on February 02, 2014, 06:06:05 PM
Tatsuo:

I have to wonder how your plants grow so compact. Do you use supplemental light?

If not your weather and latitude must be much better than mine.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: YT on February 04, 2014, 01:57:30 PM
that's nice, lovely colour

Thank you, Mark :) I'm bewitched by that living jade.

Tatsuo:
I have to wonder how your plants grow so compact. Do you use supplemental light?
If not your weather and latitude must be much better than mine.

Arnold, I don't use any supplemental light and I have sunny and reratively dry winter at here, as you mentioned. Fortunately, I grow that L. viridiflora pot outside without any protection except its flowering time.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on February 04, 2014, 02:06:42 PM
Tatsuo:

Thanks,

Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fixpix on February 05, 2014, 09:09:20 AM
Wow, Tatsuo.
Love that blue!
I remember I tried some Lachenalia before, but I never got past the tiny seedlings stage.
I think I was too inexperienced :(
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: K-D Keller on February 07, 2014, 01:47:27 PM
The first Romuleas open their flowers. Romulea exima, Romulea cruciata and Romulea diversiformis.
Two Lachenalias: Lachenalia mutabilis and Lachenalia viridiflora (not so fine this year).

Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Paul Cumbleton on February 09, 2014, 01:07:38 PM
Massonia depressa is quite variable and this form from Uniondale stands out for its maroon coloured flowers. I shared seed of this form with both the SRGC and AGS seed exchanges this year, so if you ordered it, this is what to expect once up to flowering size - though the intensity of the maroon colour varies somewhat from seedling to seedling.

Paul....with the floods now just a few centimetres below our floorboards....!!

Image: Massonia depressa from Uniondale with maroon flowers
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: angie on February 09, 2014, 05:34:00 PM
Paul, I have just gone green with envy. Really lovely.

Hope the water keeps under the floorboards, such a worrying time. I feel for everyone that has been dealing with these floods.

Angie  :)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Darren on February 09, 2014, 06:33:41 PM
Massonia depressa is quite variable and this form from Uniondale stands out for its maroon coloured flowers. I shared seed of this form with both the SRGC and AGS seed exchanges this year, so if you ordered it, this is what to expect once up to flowering size - though the intensity of the maroon colour varies somewhat from seedling to seedling.

Paul....with the floods now just a few centimetres below our floorboards....!!

Image: Massonia depressa from Uniondale with maroon flowers

Having seen the picture I'm overjoyed at being one of the seed recipients ;D  What a stunning plant.

I share Angie's sentiments about the flood waters Paul and really hope things improve very soon.

Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnralphcarpenter on February 09, 2014, 07:38:41 PM
Massonia depressa is quite variable and this form from Uniondale stands out for its maroon coloured flowers. I shared seed of this form with both the SRGC and AGS seed exchanges this year, so if you ordered it, this is what to expect once up to flowering size - though the intensity of the maroon colour varies somewhat from seedling to seedling.

Paul....with the floods now just a few centimetres below our floorboards....!!

Image: Massonia depressa from Uniondale with maroon flowers
I have some seed from the AGS as well. Good luck with the water - we are dry so far!
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: meanie on February 15, 2014, 10:38:06 AM
All my Lachenalias are just babes from seed at the moment, so I'm rather jealous of you all!

In this company I'm almost embarrassed to show off one of my favourites - Ledebouria socialis....................
(http://gardenerscorner.co.uk/forum/attachments/dsc_1904-jpg.28991/)

(http://gardenerscorner.co.uk/forum/attachments/dsc_1905-jpg.28992/)

I think that it's a gem of a plant that will bloom all year round. It sits outdoors all summer as a table ornament where it continues to bloom strongly and multiply rapidly.
I know it ain't posh, but I love it!
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Rimmer de Vries on February 15, 2014, 09:58:16 PM
these Lachenalia are beginning to flower now in the basement in SE Michigan while it is still very cold outside.

1. orange- came a L quadricolor (or Lachenalia aloides var. quadricolor)
2. purple with prostrate leaves came as L. unicolor but Arnold questioned this name, the newer Duncan book on Lachenalia says L. unicolor is synonymous with L. pallida. (page 200)
see http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/LachenaliaSpeciesSeven (http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/LachenaliaSpeciesSeven)
3. purple with upright leaves came as Lachenalia mutabilis

any help on the naming please.

these were potted last October in a sand grit mix with low humus in 4 inch pots on a sand bed under a bank of 8  T-5 lights with a fan, all on a timer for 12 hrs with increasing light as the season progressed, temps down to 54F nights up to 73F days, just now they are sending up stems. i occasionally put fresh snow on them to water and keep them damp, is this method ok?

How much water should i give these while in growth? what sort of potting media do others use for lachenalia?
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: YT on February 16, 2014, 02:17:47 PM
We also had winter storms this and the last weekends. Fortunately, both were rain at my place but public traffic and distribution systems were paralysed by these record-breaking heavy snow in Tokyo.

Sunshine came back and Romulea tetragona opened its flowers again today :)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on February 16, 2014, 05:27:23 PM
these Lachenalia are beginning to flower now in the basement in SE Michigan while it is still very cold outside.

1. orange- came a L quadricolor (or Lachenalia aloides var. quadricolor)
2. purple with prostrate leaves came as L. unicolor but Arnold questioned this name, the newer Duncan book on Lachenalia says L. unicolor is synonymous with L. pallida. (page 200)
see http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/LachenaliaSpeciesSeven (http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/LachenaliaSpeciesSeven)
3. purple with upright leaves came as Lachenalia mutabilis

any help on the naming please.

these were potted last October in a sand grit mix with low humus in 4 inch pots on a sand bed under a bank of 8  T-5 lights with a fan, all on a timer for 12 hrs with increasing light as the season progressed, temps down to 54F nights up to 73F days, just now they are sending up stems. i occasionally put fresh snow on them to water and keep them damp, is this method ok?

How much water should i give these while in growth? what sort of potting media do others use for lachenalia?

I wonder if Darren has any views on these questions ?
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on February 16, 2014, 05:42:16 PM
I pot all my Lachenalia in a mix of gravel and standard commercial potting mix.
Water when surface is dry. Pot size and composition should have a bearing as well.  I water the clay pots more frequently than plastic ones.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Richard Green on February 16, 2014, 07:01:22 PM
Good to see your picture of the maroon Massonia Paul.  I also have received some of this seed from the AGS, and I wondered what the rest of the wording "ex coll" on the AGS list meant - it is obviously missing the word "Uniondale".
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Darren on February 17, 2014, 07:58:20 AM
I wonder if Darren has any views on these questions ?

Well, obviously the temperature and light are OK - the pictures show nice healthy plants with reasonably short flower stems. Also if the light was poor I would expect the leaves on unicolor to be drawn up whereas those pictured are nice and flat.

My watering regime is pretty much as Arnold describes. Watering needs to be careful in winter. Some species are quite forgiving (aloides etc) but others, especially those from more arid areas, will rot if kept too wet.  Incidentally -  I never top dress bulb pots with gravel as, like Arnold, I use the dryness of the soil surface as a watering clue. I know lots of people do top-dress pots but I'm guessing they are more methodical about watering than myself!

Potting mix is 50:50 loam-based commercial compost (JI2 for those in the UK) and grit (pH about 6.5). The South African literature insists that compost should be sandy and more acidic but I've never found a Lachenalia that seems to object to my mix. I've previously found to my cost that definition of 'sand' varies widely... as does it's properties depending on exact grain size and shape.


Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Steve Garvie on February 17, 2014, 11:34:19 AM
I pot all my Lachenalia in a mix of gravel and standard commercial potting mix.
Water when surface is dry. Pot size and composition should have a bearing as well.  I water the clay pots more frequently than plastic ones.

Arnold do you plunge your clay pots in a sand bed, stand them on moist sand or leave them free-standing on a well-drained base?
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on February 18, 2014, 02:46:52 AM
Steve:

I have a mixture of plunged and free standing clay and plastic posts.

The plastic ones and some clay posts with most of the Lachenalia sit on a wire mesh bench and get water around once per week.

I have a HD light that give some extra light to the smaller Lachenalia plants at around 6 hours extra per day.  It's a 400 watt at around 18" from the plants.


Most of the plunged  clay pots are miniature Narcissus.

Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Steve Garvie on February 18, 2014, 08:11:01 AM
Thanks Arnold!

I bought a couple of mature Gethyllis bulbs from a South African source last Autumn. I potted them up into a mix of dry pumice/coarse sand in clay pots and then plunged them in a sand bed containing other winter growing S.A. bulbs. I had hoped the Gethyllis would start to root but instead they have started to rot as the clay pots have absorbed some moisture from the barely damp plunge.

Is there anyone who could advise on how to turn Gethyllis from a Southern Hemisphere to a northern hemisphere growth cycle without encouraging rot (or desiccation)?
Or should I just forget trying to turn them (Scottish winter light levels are really poor), keep the bulbs cool but bone dry until they show top growth then start gentle watering?
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Darren on February 18, 2014, 08:26:42 AM
Steve,

If sent from SA in our autumn the bulbs will have only just entered dormancy and would therefore not start to grow until after they have had a warm dry period for a few months - they need this physiological trigger. If it were me I would keep them bone dry until our autumn to let our summer do the job (keeping them dormant for a full year will not harm them - bulbs often do this in nature anyway in drought years). This has worked for me with imported Daubenya - but I lost a few to rot before I got it right. There is always a temptation to give them a bit of moisture and this must be resisted until the bulbs are ready for it.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Steve Garvie on February 18, 2014, 09:53:38 AM
Hi Darren,

Many thanks for this advice.

I grow a few Haemanthus, Brunsvigia and Boophone that I got many years ago -plants that survived years of neglect when I lost interest. I can't remember the provenance of these plants but I think they were on a northern hemisphere growth cycle when I bought them so I have no real experience of trying to convert S.A bulbs to a northern growing cycle. My fear is that a whole year in dry pumice without water might cause fatal dessication but I suppose these bulbs are designed to cope with much hotter drier summers than a year under glass in Scotland can throw at them. As you say the temptation to give water is strong! 

I will try hard to resist!  ;)

Thanks again!
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: YT on February 21, 2014, 11:15:35 AM
Romulea luteoflora from Silverhill Seeds :)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Mark Griffiths on February 21, 2014, 05:35:05 PM
very nice YT
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on February 22, 2014, 08:07:08 PM
Chasmanthe floribunda Duckittii
Veltheimia bracteata
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on February 23, 2014, 07:25:14 PM
Cyrtanthus Mackenii Var. cooperi.
Named after Mark McKen 1823-1872 horticulturalist and collector, first curator Durban Bot. Gardens.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Darren on February 27, 2014, 08:59:54 PM
Consistently the last Massonia to flower here is this one sent by a kind forumist a couple of years ago. Apparently collected by Silverhill seeds (as M. jasminiflora) in a summer rain area but is predominantly winter growing here though it is almost evergreen and increases well vegetatively - both of which make it an oddity. The scent is superb (far better than any jasminiflora I grow) and the late flowering is also odd. A lovely plant.






Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: angie on February 27, 2014, 10:13:19 PM
Really nice Darren. Hurry up and bulk those plants up  ;D ;D Mine are all finished now. I was a bit disappointed again this year. Lots of lovely leaves but my flowers were poor. Bulbs are getting bigger so hopefully next year they will flower better,  hope so anyway.

Angie  :)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: YT on March 01, 2014, 02:59:50 PM
Gladiolus arcuatus, from Silverhill Seeds :)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: FrazerHenderson on March 01, 2014, 04:15:10 PM
The Veltheimia first came into flower in early November and then when the temperature cooled I just left it - with no watering - and then this week when temperatures increased to 8c it came back to life. It was grown form SRGC seed.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on March 01, 2014, 05:01:26 PM
Very nice Tatsuo.

Is it scented?

Should have scent of apples.

Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on March 02, 2014, 10:06:11 PM
Here's tow I have as Lachenalia namaquensis and I'm not sure that that is the correct ID.  Should have included stamen and style.

Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on March 03, 2014, 12:43:25 AM
Nice to see all the spring flowers over that side of the equator ;D
Here the autumn ones are starting; first one for us, the cerise form (?hybrid) of Amaryllis belladonna
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: YT on March 03, 2014, 03:09:02 AM
Is it scented?
Should have scent of apples.

Thank you, Arnold. I sniffed the flowers just now.
The scent likes a mixture with some orchids with citruses rather than apples. I cannnot remember similer scent...

Nice to see all the spring flowers over that side of the equator ;D
Here the autumn ones are starting; first one for us, the cerise form (?hybrid) of Amaryllis belladonna

Nice autumn colour, Fermi ;D I feel some crinum influence from your naked ladies.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Menai on March 04, 2014, 06:47:16 PM
Veltheimia bracteata 'Lemon Flame'. If only all South African bulbs were so accommodating! I can't detect any scent in this.
To be fair Lachenalia aloides v. aurea also did me proud this year but I failed to photograph it at its best.
My winter growing gladioli have all been badly infested with green- and white-fly and look a mess.

Erle
Anglesey. 2 successive dry, sunny days the first I can remember for weeks.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on March 05, 2014, 12:29:33 AM
Lachenalia reflexa.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: YT on March 06, 2014, 12:41:02 PM
Hesperantha vaginata, from Silverhill Seeds.
Gladiolus arcuatus, an odd flower. Yellow blotches on all tepals (normaly lower three).
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on March 09, 2014, 02:10:12 PM
Nice autumn colour, Fermi ;D I feel some crinum influence from your naked ladies.

Tatsuo-san,
These "Amaryllis belladonna" cultivars are quite likely to have influence from other amaryllids, particularly because of their radial symmetry - for many years it had been presumed that they are the result of hybridizing with Brunsvigia and a few years ago it was suggested that Cybistetes longifolia (now Ammocharis longifolia) is the more likely parent. They are also known to cross with Crinum but tend to have different foliage with that crossing,
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Steve Garvie on March 09, 2014, 09:32:58 PM
Hesperantha vaginata is also in flower here.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7387/13041385645_ed927c3947_o_d.jpg)

(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3730/13041521873_44a38d57b1_o_d.jpg)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: YT on March 10, 2014, 06:53:38 AM
Thank you, Fermi. So many inter-generic hybrids are created using with crinum and its relatives.

Nice pictures as usual, Steve. I love this vivid contrast.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: pehe on March 11, 2014, 08:30:23 AM
Daubenya aurea is flowering now

Poul
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Steve Garvie on March 11, 2014, 03:24:20 PM
Very nice Poul!!!

Mine is also in flower. The flower gets even better with time.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7322/13041381035_475dd3a917_o.jpg)

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7348/13041738964_5e4cc0eaf3_o.jpg)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on March 12, 2014, 04:55:32 AM
Very nice Poul!!!

Mine is also in flower. The flower gets even better with time.
Amazing thing - reminds me of a sea anemone or something out of Sci-Fi!
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on March 12, 2014, 08:26:12 AM
A very light and a mid-pink Amaryllis belladonna lily,
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: K-D Keller on March 12, 2014, 09:05:51 PM
After many sunny days Romulea leipoldtii, Romulea spec.
Gladiolus tristis and Gladiolus liliaceus are in flower now.

Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: pehe on March 13, 2014, 11:12:39 AM
Very nice Poul!!!

Mine is also in flower. The flower gets even better

Thank you Steve, but yours are more beautiful. How old are your plant?

Poul
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Steve Garvie on March 13, 2014, 11:31:42 AM
Thanks Poul!
I've had the bulb for two years -I bought it from a South African source when it was sold as "flowering sized". There was no flower last year though the leaves persisted from November until June. Last summer was very hot (for us) here and perhaps this is why it has flowered so well.

I bought "flowering sized" bulbs of the red form on Ebay almost 5 months ago (from a South African nursery) but they have produced no root or top growth as yet.

Cheers,
Steve
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Tony Willis on March 13, 2014, 11:57:16 AM


I bought "flowering sized" bulbs of the red form on Ebay almost 5 months ago (from a South African nursery) but they have produced no root or top growth as yet.

Cheers,
Steve

Steve

a wonderful plant. I  can only say my experience of trying to grow them has been quite dismal-no root or top growth-death!
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on March 14, 2014, 09:12:56 PM
Lachenalia namaquensis
Lachenalia pallida
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on March 15, 2014, 12:21:39 AM
Lachenalia namaquensis
Lachenalia pallida

Much earlier than mine, Arnold. Scapes on mine only just starting to come up...
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on March 15, 2014, 03:16:40 AM
Steve:

Not entirely sure of the ID on L. namaquensis.  Had a look at Duncan's book but the images are weak. 

Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on March 16, 2014, 12:12:01 AM
Not entirely sure of the ID on L. namaquensis.  Had a look at Duncan's book but the images are weak.

Arnold - here's a shot of mine flowering last year. How wide are the leaves on your plant? Mine are quite narrow and look quite distinctive.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on March 16, 2014, 03:33:24 AM
Steve:

On first look yours looks good. Stamen are included.

Send along a image when it reaching full flowering.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on March 16, 2014, 01:53:00 PM
On first look yours looks good. Stamen are included.
Send along a image when it reaching full flowering.

Arnold - I'm pretty sure mine are L. namaquensis, they flower from April onwards for me. Here's what the leaves look like (please excuse the classy background!).
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on March 16, 2014, 02:17:04 PM
Freesia viridis...not one that appears in anyone's top ten favourites, but I have learnt a new word (phalaenophily).
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Yann on March 20, 2014, 01:03:47 PM
Gladiolus watermeyeri just starting to bloom, sown in 2008
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Michael J Campbell on March 20, 2014, 01:27:16 PM
Hesperantha vaginata
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on March 20, 2014, 03:59:12 PM
Freesia elimensis, originally from Kirstenbosch seed (before the overseas distribution stopped). However, I see in the Plant List that it is classed as a synonym of Freesia caryophyllacea. The photos I've seen of Freesia caryophyllacea show flowers with much more yellow colouration than the plants I have, although perhaps it is a variable species in the wild. I have two clones from the original sowing (Darren to note!).
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on March 21, 2014, 02:27:04 AM
Steve:

This is what I have as Freesia elimensis
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: pehe on March 21, 2014, 06:08:08 AM

I bought "flowering sized" bulbs of the red form on Ebay almost 5 months ago (from a South African nursery) but they have produced no root or top growth as yet.

Cheers,
Steve

My bulb was dormant for one and a half year after I bought it, so don't give up hope.

Poul
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Steve Garvie on March 21, 2014, 07:55:00 AM
My bulb was dormant for one and a half year after I bought it, so don't give up hope.
Poul

Cheers Poul! 8)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on March 21, 2014, 12:05:39 PM
Steve:

This is what I have as Freesia elimensis

Thanks, Arnold. Yours look like the whiter of the two form I have, with pale purple markings on the back of the petals.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on March 21, 2014, 12:41:58 PM
Steve:

This is what I have as Freesia elimensis
Quite a different flower shape to those of Steve, eh?
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on March 21, 2014, 05:09:42 PM
Quite a different flower shape to those of Steve, eh?

Here's a photo from another angle.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on March 21, 2014, 05:12:07 PM
Lachenalia haarlemensis - flower scape just emerging. I like the leaf markings on these.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on March 21, 2014, 05:14:50 PM
Here's a photo from another angle.
Thanks Steve

Lachenalia haarlemensis - flower scape just emerging. I like the leaf markings on these.
I think that's a new one on me - great shapes and markings
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on March 21, 2014, 05:17:38 PM

I think that's a new one on me - great shapes and markings
Aha .... you did show the markings on the leaves last year - http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=9933.msg286462#msg286462 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=9933.msg286462#msg286462) - my memory is getting worse.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on March 22, 2014, 01:03:47 AM
Aha .... you did show the markings on the leaves last year - http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=9933.msg286462#msg286462 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=9933.msg286462#msg286462) - my memory is getting worse.

So's mine, I'd forgotten I'd posted that! Interesting to see how the plants have developed since October.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on March 22, 2014, 01:16:43 AM
Thanks Steve
I think that's a new one on me - great shapes and markings

While photographing the pot I noticed a flower bud emerging a short distance away from one of the bulbs, which seems odd - I've never seen that in Lachenalias. Some species are stoloniferous, but producing a flowering stalk? It'll be interesting to see what's been happening under the surface when I repot this summer.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: lettuce begin on March 22, 2014, 08:28:25 PM
A few pictures from Wisley Alpine House.
Lachenalia zeyheri and Lanchenalia aloides var vanzyliae.
Hope the spelling is correct can't read my own writing lol.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: lettuce begin on March 22, 2014, 08:32:08 PM
Opps Lachenalia zeyheri
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on March 23, 2014, 04:29:53 AM
A few pictures from Wisley Alpine House.
...Lanchenalia aloides var vanzyliae.

That's a lovely thing, Cheryl; thanks for posting the pic.

The annual appearance of Crossyne flava has snuck up on me this year and I first saw them a few days ago already in full bloom.
Chris B. asked for seed and there'll be a few hundred available I'd say! Let me know if you still want them.
The white Belladonna Lilies (Amaryllis belladonna cultivars) are now flowering nicely,
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Steve Garvie on March 23, 2014, 07:34:48 PM
Spiloxene canaliculata
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7149/13361228143_17eb430725_o.jpg)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on March 25, 2014, 06:04:37 PM
Gladiolus longicollis

A search says it is a warm season flower producer. Goldblatt says in his Gladiolus of South Africa that it blooms in October to mid-February.

Haven't detected the strong, sweet  clove rich smell attributed to it.

Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Michael J Campbell on March 26, 2014, 03:46:05 PM
Moraea villosa, the first to flower this year.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Steve Garvie on March 26, 2014, 04:14:44 PM
Moraea villosa, the first to flower this year.
A bonny bulb (or is it a cracking corm?) Michael!
I have a couple that I got from a South African nursery but they're still on Southern Hemisphere time.

Clocks change this weekend ......I hope they get the message!  ::)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Mark Griffiths on March 26, 2014, 05:11:25 PM
lovely Morea!
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: angie on March 26, 2014, 08:39:59 PM
Really nice Michael  8)

Angie  :)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on April 01, 2014, 05:16:57 PM
Lachenalia mathewsii

Named after Joseph William Mathews (1871-1949) First curator Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden.

Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on April 01, 2014, 11:05:45 PM
Gladiolus longicollis.

This one popped up in a pot of Narcissus.  Much more vigorous plant and does have the spicy clove scent in the evening.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Robert on April 02, 2014, 01:00:05 AM
Arnold,

Thanks for the note on the Gladioli - spicy clove scent in the evening seems divine. I have a hunch that many of the South African bulb will do well in our part of California with little or no protection from our winter cold, if one wants to call our winters cold. This is a project that I have just started to pursue, but I can learn a few things on the way. Thanks for all your photographs and comments.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on April 02, 2014, 02:16:24 AM
Robert:

This pot full was sitting in a spot in the greenhouse  that gets more sun.  Flowers with more substance and leaves stronger  The other plant was flopping.

Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Robert on April 02, 2014, 03:43:48 PM
Robert:

This pot full was sitting in a spot in the greenhouse  that gets more sun.  Flowers with more substance and leaves stronger  The other plant was flopping.

Arnold,

If I understand correctly the flopping plant was in too much shade?

Given East Coast weather, they are all greenhouse grown, I'm sure. Under greenhouse conditions do you get seed set on your Gladioli? Out here, I get along without a greenhouse and of coarse there are plenty of outdoor pollinators. I will not see flowers on any species Gladiolus for several months.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: K-D Keller on April 02, 2014, 06:00:13 PM
In flower now

Moraea setifolia, Lachenalia orchioides and Veltheimia capensis
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on April 03, 2014, 03:49:21 AM
Robert:

I think that's what happened.  The better flowering plant was in the area that gets sun first thing in the morning.

Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Robert on April 03, 2014, 03:55:44 PM
Arnold,

Thanks!  :)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Roma on April 03, 2014, 11:16:26 PM
Lachenalia pustulata blue form
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on April 04, 2014, 08:22:17 AM
This is what has been sold as Brunsvbigia josephinae in these parts but is likely to be a hybrid,
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: angie on April 04, 2014, 10:22:14 AM
This is what has been sold as Brunsvbigia josephinae in these parts but is likely to be a hybrid,
cheers
fermi

Bit jealous of that beauty  8)

Angie  :)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on April 06, 2014, 11:10:01 PM
Lachenalai glaucina close-up--which is now formally Lachenalia orchioides subsp. glaucina
Lachenalia comptonii leaf detail showing trichomes
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on April 07, 2014, 11:38:30 AM
I think this is Eucomis autumnalis
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on April 09, 2014, 12:19:24 AM
Lachenalia vanzyliae - thanks, Darren.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fixpix on April 09, 2014, 07:55:00 AM
Wow, Steve. That's what I call a W&W (weird & wonderful).
You can tell I've enjoyed watching those Miranda episodes... (her mom was with the "what I call..." expression)
:)

But seriously, should you ever have seeds...
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on April 10, 2014, 03:49:39 PM
A later image of Lachenalia orchioides subsp. glaucina
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on April 11, 2014, 12:43:33 AM
Wow, Steve. That's what I call a W&W (weird & wonderful)...But seriously, should you ever have seeds...

Not sure if it is just one clone, but I've been busy with the paintbrush and I'll see what happens...
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fixpix on April 11, 2014, 07:59:23 AM
... the paintbrush... now that's something I've never done. YET.
BUT... I've seen pics of leaf cuttings with clusters of little bulbils... have you ever tried that?
Not that I want you to chop of those cute leaves, but it seems it's possible.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Darren on April 11, 2014, 08:01:04 AM
Not sure if it is just one clone, but I've been busy with the paintbrush and I'll see what happens...

It is one clone I'm afraid - from a single bulb bought from Terry Smale around 10 years ago. But I've never tried selfing it and it might be worth trying.


Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Miriam on April 11, 2014, 05:13:20 PM
Ornithogalum ceresianum from seed
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on April 11, 2014, 09:38:24 PM
Babiana rubrocyanea
Moraea setifolia
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on April 12, 2014, 12:09:20 AM
It is one clone I'm afraid - from a single bulb bought from Terry Smale around 10 years ago. But I've never tried selfing it and it might be worth trying.

Thanks for the info on the provenance of the vanzyliae, Darren. I'll let you know if I get any seeds!
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on April 13, 2014, 02:48:38 PM
Ornithogalum ceresianum from seed
That's a stunning one, Miriam!
This is the mauve form of Oxalis flava which is sweet and has interesting foliage,
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Michael J Campbell on April 13, 2014, 04:49:40 PM
Moraea tulbagensis. x 3

Moraea villosa

Moraea aristata
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on April 13, 2014, 05:45:32 PM
Great detail to be seen in these photos, Michael.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on April 13, 2014, 06:17:18 PM
Warm weather here is pushing everything into flower.

Lachenalia orchioides subsp. glaucina
Lachenalia vanzyliae
Lachenalia violacea var. glauca-- with an amazing coconut scent, could be my favorite scented bulb surpassing Muscari marcrocarpum
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnralphcarpenter on April 13, 2014, 08:04:26 PM
Moraea tulbagensis. x 3

Moraea villosa

Moraea aristata
Lovely! How do you grow them?
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Michael J Campbell on April 13, 2014, 08:34:45 PM
While some of them grow in a raised bed outside here I  grow most of them in pots in the greenhouse.
They are grown in a gritty compost with the top two inches of coarse sand, the bulbs are planted in the sand, covered with more  sand and topped with grit. They are watered from the beginning of August and kept going steady until the spring,they then  need lots of water when the flower buds appear. when they die back after flowering they must be kept completely dry in full sun until August when they growth cycle starts again. I give them a couple of feeds with tomato fertilizer in the spring.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ashley on April 13, 2014, 09:10:56 PM
Thanks Michael.  I have some seedlings coming along, so appreciate advice on how to manage them.
Yours look magnificent.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Steve Garvie on April 14, 2014, 12:37:22 AM
Moraea gigandra
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7323/13831875694_b1ecc3c696_o_d.jpg)
The largest flowered of the Peacock Moraeas this easy-to-grow species is highly threatened in the wild being restricted to a small number of sites in the northwest Cape.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Brian Ellis on April 14, 2014, 11:23:21 AM
Does anyone know of Lachenalia martinae ?  One of our neighbours is the niece of Bina Martin who found it when working at Kirstenbosch and she would be most interested to see a photograph of it.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: François Lambert on April 14, 2014, 12:07:33 PM
Moraea tulbagensis. x 3

Moraea villosa

Moraea aristata

wonderfull flowers Michael  :)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on April 14, 2014, 05:22:35 PM
Warm weather here is pushing everything into flower.

Same here. Arnold.
Lachenalia namaquensis, one with a paler flower and leaf than the others.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on April 14, 2014, 05:24:11 PM
Lachenalia haarlemensis
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on April 14, 2014, 05:28:24 PM
Two forms of Lachenalia pallida (since the reclassification). I'd previously grown them as L. pustulata and L. unicolor.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Michael J Campbell on April 15, 2014, 06:41:32 PM
Lots of sunshine and lots of flowers today.

Moraea aristata
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Steve Garvie on April 15, 2014, 08:31:43 PM
A very beautiful display of this lovely Moraea Michael!!!
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Michael J Campbell on April 15, 2014, 09:24:07 PM
Moraea atropunctata
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on April 16, 2014, 01:50:39 PM
After seeing your great Moraeas in flower, Michael, I then went to the Pacific Bulb Society's pages and discovered these: http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/PeacockMoraeaHybrids (http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/PeacockMoraeaHybrids) and got completely blown away!
Sigh!
Another field of exploration to take up some time! ;D
cheersw
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Michael J Campbell on April 16, 2014, 07:45:46 PM
Hesperantha cucullata
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on April 17, 2014, 03:34:41 PM
Scilla peruviana close-up
Lachenalia contaminata
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnralphcarpenter on April 17, 2014, 06:55:48 PM
Very nice, but isn't Scilla peruviana a North African bulb?!
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on April 18, 2014, 02:21:49 AM
JRC:

You're correct.  Got a bit carried away after watching G. Bale dismantle Barca.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Anthony Darby on April 18, 2014, 03:07:38 AM
Got a bit carried away after watching G. Bale dismantle Barca.
........and why not.  ;D
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fixpix on April 18, 2014, 06:39:21 AM
Steve, gorgeous Lachenalias...
Michael, hats off! No matter how many hybrids are ever created, I will always fancy that M. aristata. Perfect white petals with those weird blue eyes... mmm!
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on April 19, 2014, 12:17:29 PM
Oxalis palmifrons is producing a few blooms again this year.
And there are a couple more to follow,
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on April 20, 2014, 11:31:37 PM
Two late blooming Lachenalia.

Lachenalia comptonii
Lachenalia orthopetala
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on April 21, 2014, 12:35:12 AM
Lachenalia liliiflora.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnw on April 21, 2014, 02:06:14 PM
Arnold  - You continue to amaze with that definitive Lachenalia species collection.

johnw
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on April 22, 2014, 02:08:49 AM
John:

Thanks you but I have to admit the scented ones are by far my favorite.

Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on April 24, 2014, 01:18:20 PM
The Moraea polystachya cavalcade is just beginning - first flower yesterday!
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Tasmanian Taffy on April 24, 2014, 11:33:13 PM
Hi Fermi,
did you grow your Moraea Polystachya from seed and if so how long from seed does it take to flower. I have just sent for a variety of Morea seed from Silver Hill seeds do you or any other forumists have any tips on raising these from seed.
Cheers John.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on April 24, 2014, 11:39:38 PM
Some info John,  from the Pacific Bulb Society (http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/Moraea)
 
Quote
To grow Moraea from seeds, sow them in a well drained mix and allow the plants to have temperature fluctuations of warm days and cool nights. Plant winter-growing species in fall, and summer-growing species in spring. Most species will tolerate light frost but not extended freezes. Depending on the species, germination can happen within three weeks or take as long as three years (Dell Sherk). Most species take three years to go from seed to flower, but Moraea polystachya and Moraea villosa were reported to flower in 1-2 years (Mary Sue Ittner).
Will Ashburner recorded germination and flowering time of 12 species where the first number is weeks to germination and the second is weeks to flowering.
 Moraea alticola (10, 118), Moraea bellendenii (5, 130), Moraea bubalina (5, 136), Moraea insolens (5, 129), Moraea macronyx (5, 120), Moraea moggii (29, 136), Moraea ramosissima (6, 130), Moraea serpentina (3, 130), Moraea spathulata (6, 135), Moraea thomsonii (6, 128), Moraea tricuspidata (5, 126), Moraea tripetala (3, 121-124).
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Robert on April 25, 2014, 02:24:42 AM
Maggi,

Thank you so much for this information!
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Tasmanian Taffy on April 25, 2014, 04:34:01 AM
Many thanks for the information Maggi,
exactly what I needed to know.
Cheers John.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on April 25, 2014, 10:04:35 AM
My pleasure to help - there is a wealth of information on the PBS site  for  these  - access to the PBS Wiki is free but membership is not very expensive and they have a good newsletter, a terrific bulb exchange - I have never used it myself, but I've seen some super things offered there over the years so I am confident to recommend it.
Folks you'll know from this forum, like Arnold Trachtenberg and David Pilling are very involved in the PBS - it's especially good for South African and South American bulbs, I think.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on April 25, 2014, 10:24:50 AM
John,
Maggi has saved me the trouble ;D
I usually follow that method for germinating moraea species. But I should say that I got this species as corms originally and since then they pop up where ever the seed gets - after heavy rain they appeared 6 or 7 metres away from the parent plants! They were washed down a "dry creek bed" which wasn't dry after 2" (500mm) of rain! I wouldn't be without it but I try to collect as much of the seed as I can!
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Tasmanian Taffy on April 25, 2014, 12:29:58 PM
Thanks again Maggie,
but living here in Tasmania with our plant police its almost impossible to get anything other than seed imported so as good as the PBS might be I am still restricted as to what I can import even with seeds. It has got that hard here now that some of the mail order nurseries in Victoria and New South Wales will not or can not send plants to other States within Australia because of the quarantine restrictions.
Cheers John.

Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Tasmanian Taffy on April 25, 2014, 12:35:44 PM
Thanks for the information Fermi, Moraea Polystachya is one of the varieties of Moraea seed that I have sent for.
Cheers John.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on April 25, 2014, 04:27:30 PM
Lachenalia purpureo-caerulea. Similar to L. pustulata/pallida but not as strong growing (with me, anyway)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on April 26, 2014, 03:22:42 PM
Here's a link to Mike Mace's site with pics of his Moraea hybrids - some real stunners!
http://growingcoolplants.blogspot.com.au/search?updated-min=2014-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&updated-max=2015-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&max-results=21 (http://growingcoolplants.blogspot.com.au/search?updated-min=2014-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&updated-max=2015-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&max-results=21)
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on May 02, 2014, 09:39:30 PM
At the end of Lachenalia season.  the warm weather wrecks havoc with flowers.  Some last only a day or two.

Lachenalia nervosa
Lachenalia liliiflora  Note spelling as per Duncan with two I's
An unknown possibly a more compact Lachenalia  liliiflora
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on May 03, 2014, 01:55:59 PM
My last Lachenalia to flower - young plants of L. peersii, not the showiest species but with a strong scent reminiscent of Dianthus.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Jean-Patrick AGIER on May 03, 2014, 06:18:51 PM
I've come across a flower of Dietes grandiflora in one of the glass houses at Lyon BG.
Here it is
JP
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Anthony Darby on May 07, 2014, 09:45:30 AM
Grows in many of the council flower beds round us, along with iridioides. I have the latter flowering from seed sown in the gravel at the front of the house in 2011. Alas, unlike grandiflora, the flowers only last a day. There are also D. bicolor in a flower bed not far from my house. I'll check it for seeds.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on May 12, 2014, 08:17:23 AM
I bought this Strumaria salteri a few eyars ago and it's now in flower,
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: majallison on May 14, 2014, 08:09:43 PM
I've been very pleased with this Ixia viridiflora 'Owl's Acre strain', a definite (& rather fabulous) turquoise colour, rather than the skimmed milk shades I've had before; also many more flowers in each spike. I think this was 3 years to flowering from seed, the people who selected it are sweetpea specialists in Lincolnshire...

Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: CactusFanDan on May 16, 2014, 01:10:39 AM
Bulbine inamarxiae in flower today. :)
[attach=1]
The leaves... They're a bit messy, but I only just got this plant, so it'll need some work.
[attach=2]

Ammocharis coranica awaking from dormancy.
[attach=3]

Gethyllis gregoriana seedlings.
[attach=4]
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Michael J Campbell on May 16, 2014, 08:52:06 AM
Moraea lurida.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: baby2080 on May 19, 2014, 04:15:52 PM
 :)  Geissorhiza inflexa
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: baby2080 on May 19, 2014, 04:22:33 PM
This spring we didn't have enough sun in weekend, so every weekend with sun would much more precious than ever. :)

 Moraea ochroleuca

(edit by maggi to add plant name to the text so the search engine can find the photo)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Steve Garvie on May 21, 2014, 08:10:15 PM
Gethyllis verticillata
(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2897/14239511185_f7e1163925_o_d.jpg)

Not in flower but looks bizarre in growth -more like a marine Tubeworm on a tropical coral reef than a bulb.
I have a few species of Gethyllis, all have bizarre vegetative growths. Flowers are produced during the dry period of their growth cycle (beautiful large crocus-like flowers which are short-lived) and are followed some weeks or months later by a bizarre fruit which pushes up through the ground. The fruits taste somewhat like sweet figs and in their native South Africa are used to flavour alcoholic drinks (Kukumakranka Brandy) -what more could you ask from a bulb?
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Chris Johnson on May 22, 2014, 06:26:05 AM
Stunning, Steve. Wonderful image.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnralphcarpenter on May 22, 2014, 09:55:06 AM
Amazing!
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on May 26, 2014, 01:40:49 AM
While in the garden yesterday a flash of white caught my eye amongst the mauve blooms of Moraea polystachya. I didn't notice it last year but this looks like a 2 or 3 year old plant and there are more blooms to follow. The first flower appears a bit squinny to me but that could've been caused by the cool and overcast conditions at the time - maybe the bloom will expand a bit more with more warmth?
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Mark Griffiths on May 27, 2014, 01:01:15 PM
hi, wonder if any of you can help me - I posted this in the ID section but so far no luck. Pretty sure this is a South African Oxalis species - came to me as bulbils for the AGS December 2013 as Oxalis obtusa Brick Orange.

However it's about inch, two inches tall with a stem then leaves, bright green leaves and flowers in an umbel.




The other plant that I'm certain of is Rhodohypoxis thodiana.

Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Jean-Patrick AGIER on May 27, 2014, 09:59:36 PM
Hi Mark,
I'm probably the one to blame for the Oxalis you've received. I've purchased bulbils of this plant a few years ago from a UK nursery ( Costwold Garden Flowers ).
The bulbs have been sent and labelled as oxalis obtusa brick orange. I'm not an oxalis specialist and I've trusted the nurserymen.
Anyway, I've been unable to find any reliable reference about this plant. Even on the Telos Rare Bulbs website where they have on offer a huge array of oxalis ( with pictures ). But you probably know them. There's one species they list which seems to have similar flowers ( O. Stenorrhynca ) but the stems probably don't match the " brick orange".
I was no more sure the plant could be part of the Obtusa complex so I've sent bulbils to the seed exchange under the name: oxalis "brick orange". Unfortunately the name on the list changed  for oxalis obtusa "brick orange".
The plant multiplies quickly, is able to flower all summer long and can stand some degrees below 0°C.
I really apologize...
JP
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Darren on May 29, 2014, 08:11:38 PM
Thanks to the dull weather this was still open when I got back from work yesterday. I missed the first flower last week as it was a sunny day and the flower is very fugacious anyway.

Moraea serpentina seems to be unusual in cultivation in the UK at least -  this is the first flowering for me from Gordon Summerfield seed at 4 years old. That said - all the seedlings stayed dormant during the 2012-2013 season (probably as we had a cold summer in 2012) so it is 'really' only 3 years old. The plant is named for its coiled leaves which are not as coiled in our poor light as they are in the wild but still show significant spiralling as shown in the second picture. As you can see - it is well on the way to dormancy. Only one has flowered so no seed this year.



Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on May 30, 2014, 01:03:28 AM
Darren,
I think I got seed from the same batch and they flowered last year ( I think I posted a pic but can't be sure).
We have a small flowered nerine which I've always thought was Nerine filifolia but the foliage isn't as fine as that species - it's narrow but not "filiform". Probably another variant on Nerine undulatus!
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Roma on May 30, 2014, 09:57:52 AM
Anomatheca laxa blue form
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on June 20, 2014, 01:04:42 PM
Three Albuca. Confident that the first is A. nelsonii but the second I grow as A. canadensis (seed originally from Kirstenbosch) but according to the PBS it is actually Albuca flaccida which has yellowish flowers. Can anyone confirm this? The third is an unidentified species, can someone ID this? The collection number is HSH 018. Thanks.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Mark Griffiths on June 20, 2014, 03:26:36 PM
@ JP - really don't worry - I've seen it listed on several UK nursery sites. Pretty sure now it's Oxalis stenorrhyncha, see http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/SouthAfricanOxalisNine (http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/SouthAfricanOxalisNine)

Another form of Freesia laxa - I got it as a stowaway about 10-15 yrs ago. Not sure if it conforms to Joan Evans - they are all seedlings.

 
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: David Nicholson on June 20, 2014, 03:29:40 PM
It looks very much like Joan Evans. I've thrown three pots out today, virused.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Steve Garvie on June 21, 2014, 06:42:31 PM
Two bulbs with turquoise-coloured flowers -both came into flower very late at the end of May and lasted a couple of weeks until the temperature picked up.
Unfortunately both were photographed after work in low evening light at high ISO settings.

Ixia viridiflora
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5481/14473207444_897cf80f78_o.jpg)


Lachenalia viridiflora
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3859/14287764269_cd8b7e8777_o.jpg)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on June 22, 2014, 10:22:08 AM
Steve, that's extraordinary as looks what's in flower right now in our rock garden!
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Steve Garvie on June 22, 2014, 10:53:32 AM
Very nice!!!
Wish I could grow mine in a rockery!
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Paul Cumbleton on June 26, 2014, 12:57:50 PM
I have a very few spare bulbs of Daubenya aurea which I am currently offering on ebay. This is the first time I have ever sold anything on ebay but I plan to offer a few items from time to time – though this will only be occasionally. Mostly it will be South African bulbs, but also perhaps Pleione and anything else I happen to have spare of that hasn’t already gone to friends or been taken to AGS meetings and the like.

My ebay identity is “unusual-plants”. You can find my things by doing an advanced search (click on the word "advanced" in the top right corner of ebay's home page, select "search by seller" from the options on the left then enter unusual-plants in the search box). There will be a few more things added in the next few weeks.

Please note that as a new seller on ebay I CAN ONLY SELL TO THE UK until I have met their requirements for international selling. It will take at least 3 months to do this and I will let you know as soon as I can supply further afield (and then it will be UK + EU only).

Cheers
Paul
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Gerdk on June 27, 2014, 03:04:22 PM
Here is Gladiolus flanaganii - surprisingly easy in cultivation

(during winter inside)

Gerd
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on June 29, 2014, 11:53:43 PM
Here is Gladiolus flanaganii - surprisingly easy in cultivation

(during winter inside)

Gerd
Hi Gerd,
they look great - do you keep they as dry bulbs inside and plant them in spring? Or are they potted up and you plant them out after the frosts are over?
I have some seedlings but not flowered it yet.

Here's a tiny lapeirousia which I thought I'd lost as I don't even remember seeing foliage last year!
Lapeirousia montana in a mauve form,
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Gerdk on June 30, 2014, 06:43:25 AM
Hi Gerd,
they look great - do you keep they as dry bulbs inside and plant them in spring? Or are they potted up and you plant them out after the frosts are over?
I have some seedlings but not flowered it yet.

Thank you, Fermi,
The bulbs were kept dry and cool in the basement (about + 10 ° C here) over winter and planted outside at the end of April.

Gerd
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Paul Cumbleton on July 05, 2014, 09:21:37 PM
Pictured below is a plant I received simply as "Drimia sp" from the Kamiesberg. You can see that it makes quite a nice show with prettier flowers than most Drimia can boast. When mature each bulb is capable of producing 10 or more flower stems. These appear quite late - usually June, after the leaves have died down. The leaves are like grass (the picture shows leaves on young bulbs - they make a lot more leaves per bulb than this once adult). Sorry about the poor quality of the close up picture. Does anyone know what this plant might be specifically?

By the way, thanks to those of you who have supported my sales on ebay. I have added for sale a small number of seeds of South African bulbs recently. These are on a fixed price "buy now" basis. You can see all my offers at http://ebay.eu/1n3uCgm (http://ebay.eu/1n3uCgm) .
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on July 05, 2014, 09:51:59 PM
A delicate and very attractive plant, Paul - I have NO idea what it might be!
But,  the PBS  says :
Drimia nana, syn. Tenicroa nana, has wiry leaves enclosed in a sheath and mauve flowers with green and white patches. It is found in Namaqualand and flowers in summer. At least one accession described the habitat as shady mossy ledges in the Kamiesberg.

Isotype : http://plants.jstor.org/specimen/pre0665215-0?history=true (http://plants.jstor.org/specimen/pre0665215-0?history=true)

May be worth investigating that possibility?
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: angie on July 05, 2014, 11:13:51 PM
Paul thanks for letting us know that you are selling your spare bulbs on ebay  :)

Angie  :)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Paul Cumbleton on July 06, 2014, 09:36:30 AM
Thanks for that info Maggi, it sounds a possibility. Sadly I cant view the isotype you gave the link to as you need to have some affiliation to a participating institute for that website. There is very little other info on the web about this species, certainly no description or photo, just the distribution and the fact that it has only been collected 7 times by scientific institutions. I'll have to try 'analogue' means of finding out more!

Paul
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on July 06, 2014, 09:43:49 AM
I appreciate the difficulty with accessing the Jstor info, Paul - very frustrating - but I hope someone with access might be able to access it and share it with you.

Please: Is Anyone able to help with this?
http://plants.jstor.org/specimen/pre0665215-0?history=true (http://plants.jstor.org/specimen/pre0665215-0?history=true)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnralphcarpenter on July 06, 2014, 01:38:39 PM
Watsonia angusta has put up multiple flower spikes this year.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: jshields on July 06, 2014, 02:18:43 PM
I appreciate the difficulty with accessing the Jstor info, Paul - very frustrating - but I hope someone with access might be able to access it and share it with you.

Please: Is Anyone able to help with this?
http://plants.jstor.org/specimen/pre0665215-0?history=true (http://plants.jstor.org/specimen/pre0665215-0?history=true)

The only bad thing I've ever found about being retired is the lack of access to technical journals.  I have to bug my friends too much who are not yet retired.  Wish I could help!
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Paul Cumbleton on July 06, 2014, 02:23:19 PM
Maggi, I sent your suggested identification for my mystery Drimia to the person who supplied me the original bulb. He was able to access a botanical description to check - and it fits. So mystery solved - this is Drimia nana. I have a fair number of seedlings coming along so should be able to make this available in the not too distant future (probably next year). Thanks for helping sort this out!!
Paul
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on July 06, 2014, 02:50:45 PM
Result! I am so pleased the ID has been found. Can't  say I have ever seen or really known of this plant before other than the PBS reference but it is a real charmer for sure. Flower colour is a winner too.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on July 09, 2014, 03:56:01 PM
Prepare to be underwhelmed...Rhadamanthus platyphyllus (Drimia platyphylla) in all its flowering glory! The bulb is relatively large given the small size of the flowers and stalk (3"/8cm), the leaf has already died back for the summer.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on July 09, 2014, 03:59:09 PM
Rather pretty little thing close up though, isn't it? (In a modest, understated way!)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on July 09, 2014, 04:04:44 PM
Rather pretty little thing close up though, isn't it? (In a modest, understated way!)

I agree, Maggi. Although it's not often you hear a South African being described as modest and understated! (I'm thinking of rugby, I hurriedly add, before I get abuse from SAF forum members ;D)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ferdinand on July 09, 2014, 07:08:00 PM
Eriospermum paradoxum unusually blooming at the end of spring.
 
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ferdinand on July 09, 2014, 08:57:25 PM
Very satisfying species blooms from May to October, but unfortunately I could not yet get the seeds.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on July 09, 2014, 09:08:47 PM
Dipcadi ciliare is not a plant I have seen.  The "hose-in-hose" flower form is attractive and the flowers have a very interesting colour.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on July 14, 2014, 08:24:16 AM
I have 2 pots of Hesperantha humilis in flower; I love the stippling on the reverse of the petals but I wonder if seedling #1 is suffering from the dreaded v-word :'(
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on July 16, 2014, 04:05:25 PM
See this photo from the University of California Botanical Garden -  Boophone haemanthoides on their S. African hill has grown a "twin" flower spike

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154406233515241 (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154406233515241)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on July 17, 2014, 12:11:12 AM
See this photo from the University of California Botanical Garden -  Boophone haemanthoides on their S. African hill has grown a "twin" flower spike

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154406233515241 (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154406233515241)
Fascinating!
 ;D
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on July 17, 2014, 09:48:48 AM
 ;D Thank you , fermi, very punny.  ::)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnralphcarpenter on July 17, 2014, 11:41:28 AM
Fascinating!
 ;D
cheers
fermi

Very good!
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on July 17, 2014, 12:38:23 PM
Fascinating!
 ;D
cheers
fermi

Excellent! And useful for anyone joining the forum to pick up the more unusual growing tips... :)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnstephen29 on July 21, 2014, 08:13:12 PM
Crocosmia Lucifer flowering at the moment, growing through a clematis.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on July 21, 2014, 08:37:26 PM
 That's a pretty combination I hadn't thought of.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Hans J on July 23, 2014, 01:17:07 PM
here a pic of my Haemanthus ( summerflowering ) from today :

if anybody is interested for more pics please look here :
http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=11605.msg309492#msg309492 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=11605.msg309492#msg309492)

Hans  8)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnw on July 23, 2014, 03:21:47 PM
Cyrtanthus brachyscyphus is a flowering machine.  While it really never stops flowering at this time of year the new stalks come up with great rapidity.  And when it sets seed it sets them seriously.  It likes to be very wet except in the dead of winter.

johnw
21c
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on July 23, 2014, 03:35:15 PM
It looks as good in fruit as it did in flower. What (who?) is pollinating it John? 
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnw on July 23, 2014, 08:11:49 PM
Immaculate conception. ;)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnw on July 23, 2014, 10:09:31 PM
I've checked the usual SA seed suppliers for more spp. of Cyrtanthus but I only see 3 listed.  Any other sources about?

johnw
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnstephen29 on July 23, 2014, 10:28:55 PM
The clematis has romped away Maggi, i cut it down in the spring to give the other plants a bit more breathing space. It came back with avengence, your right though it does make a good combination.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on July 23, 2014, 11:53:53 PM
I've checked the usual SA seed suppliers for more spp. of Cyrtanthus but I only see 3 listed.  Any other sources about?

John - there were three species listed in last year's SRGC seed exchange so perhaps there'll be others this year? 
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnw on July 24, 2014, 12:52:24 PM
Thanks Steve  - I think I donated one and ordered the other two, Cyrtanthus elatus and Cyrtanthus mackenii.

Looking for seed of flanaganii, obliqua, epiphyticus and falcatus.  Telos is out as well.

johnw
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Peter Maguire on July 25, 2014, 06:44:28 AM
Quote
I've checked the usual SA seed suppliers for more spp. of Cyrtanthus but I only see 3 listed.  Any other sources about?

I see that this firm: www.africaseeds.com (http://www.africaseeds.com) list five species: breviflorus, contractus, epiphyticus, flanaganii and mackenii. I've not bought from them yet.
www.exotic-plants.de (http://www.exotic-plants.de) list the last three species and are very prompt in sending orders out.

Thanks for pointing out that brachyscyphus likes to be kept wet. I think I've kept mine too dry as it flowers (and seeds), but doesn't bulk up.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on July 25, 2014, 12:47:44 PM
I've checked the usual SA seed suppliers for more spp. of Cyrtanthus but I only see 3 listed.  Any other sources about?
johnw

John - while Gordon Summerfield doesn't list any Cyrtanthus on his seedlist, I've found him very helpful and he may be able to help source what you want, or at least point you in the right direction? Just a thought.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnw on July 25, 2014, 01:34:58 PM
Thanks to everyone for the recommendations.

johnw
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnw on July 25, 2014, 02:12:48 PM
Peter  -  I often fill the saucer with water if the next day promises to be dry and windy.  Thinking back I guess I am not so liberal with the water if the plant shows signs of losing leaves in abundance.  Having said that a bout of heavy watering seems to spark a fresh round of growth which I try to avoid from mid December till early February when light is poor and flower stalks could stretch and flop.  Nevertheless once the clump reaches beyond the 5" pot stage it is very forgiving. For years I would let it dry between waterings and it grew very slowly and I thought it was difficult, when they went from a 5" to a 10" pot they exploded.  Now it needs a much bigger pot or a radical division. 

Three or four years ago Rogan sent me seed of C. contractus and it has been very slow or I have been very cautious with the water.  Still in a 3" deep, I'm taking not chances!

johnw
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Peter Maguire on July 25, 2014, 11:00:05 PM
Hmm.....

Mine are definitely grown in the wrong conditions - in a clay pot, plunged in sand alongside 'Mediterranean'-style bulbs. They seem to be thriving in spite of my best efforts.  :-\
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on July 28, 2014, 03:44:51 PM
Prepare to be underwhelmed...Rhadamanthus platyphyllus (Drimia platyphylla) in all its flowering glory! The bulb is relatively large given the small size of the flowers and stalk (3"/8cm), the leaf has already died back for the summer.

And here's the developing seed pods. There's just one plant so it must be self-fertile and pollinates easily because I didn't do so by hand. I'll send the seed to the seedex.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on August 02, 2014, 05:15:12 PM
Two summer blooming Eucomis.

Eucomis Van der Merwei

Eucomis Comosa
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on August 03, 2014, 03:21:34 PM
Romulea flava, grown from NZAGS I think,
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on August 06, 2014, 12:36:08 AM
Lachenalia kliprandensis
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Hans J on August 07, 2014, 09:36:25 AM
Thanks to everyone for the recommendations.

johnw

Hello JohnW ,

I have just seen that you are looking for Cyrtanthus ...
In this time I could send you bulbils of :
Cyrt. elatus x montanus
Cyrt. montanus
Sorry no seeds ...
If you are interested so please send me a PM

Hans
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on August 09, 2014, 01:50:50 PM
Romulea sabulosa has started to flower but the weather hasn't been bright enough to get them all to open wide,
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: jshields on August 09, 2014, 04:37:24 PM
Cryptostephanus vansonii is from Zimbabwe and Mozambique, so while Southern African it is not strictly speaking from South Africa. 

[attach=1]

This genus represents the closest cousins to the Clivia, but the two genera have never been successfully crossed, so far as I know.

Jim
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on August 09, 2014, 04:39:32 PM
Lovely Jim - just the merest hint of pink in it, isn't there?
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: jshields on August 09, 2014, 04:57:26 PM
Lovely Jim - just the merest hint of pink in it, isn't there?

Yes, Maggi, they open pure white with a bit of green in the throat, then develop a little pink here and there as the flower ages.  I've heard that some may open pale pink, but I've never seen one of those.

They are somewhat self-fertile, so I occasionally get a couple fertile seeds from a blooming.  This particular plant was collected some years ago in Zimbabwe for me by a South African friend.

Jim
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on August 09, 2014, 08:14:46 PM
Crytostephanus vansonii

Pink is clearly visible and fruit are red.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on August 16, 2014, 03:32:03 PM
More South African bulbs coming into bloom now!
Firstly a romulea I grew from NZAGS seedex as R. cruciata but is probably R. hirta;
Second: a "volunteer" Romulea flava with yellow flowers (the only other one I grow is "white", actually pale lemon),
Third: Moraea macronyx with delicious citrus scent (Ashley, still hoping to get seed of this one for you!)
Fourth, also from NZAGS Seedex, Hesperantha pauciflora (magenta),
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: David Nicholson on August 16, 2014, 03:47:21 PM
All nice Fermi, lovely colour on the Hesperantha.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on August 25, 2014, 11:41:32 AM
All nice Fermi, lovely colour on the Hesperantha.
Hi David,
the colour is repeated by Hesperantha latifolia, which is a smaller plant. Grown from seed from NZAGS Seedex 2008,
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: David Nicholson on August 25, 2014, 11:56:25 AM
A little beauty Fermi. I see latifolia was in last years SRGC Seed Ex I'll have a look for it when this years comes out.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on August 25, 2014, 12:12:47 PM
David,
It should do well for you under glass - it survives -5oC at least here! Ask me in a month if any seed formed ;D

Here's Gladiolus abbreviatus (syn Homoglossum abbreviatum)
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: David Nicholson on August 25, 2014, 12:31:27 PM
David,
It should do well for you under glass - it survives -5oC at least here! Ask me in a month if any seed formed ;D

Cheers Fermi, will do.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: jshields on August 25, 2014, 02:02:23 PM
Gladiolus saundersii (my #1544) raised from seed from Silverhill Seeds in South Africa.  Only one flower is open at a time and only for a day or so.

[attach=1]

[attach=2]

It's blooms usually mean summer is over.

Jim
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnstephen29 on August 25, 2014, 07:14:05 PM
Here is my Agapanthus in bloom, it's making a great display.

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5556/14844023887_d2f89d3c60_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/oBHv9k)image (https://flic.kr/p/oBHv9k) by johnstephen29 (https://www.flickr.com/people/126223196@N05/), on Flickr
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on August 25, 2014, 07:43:31 PM
Does it live outside all year?  Looks very good.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnstephen29 on August 25, 2014, 09:25:41 PM
Hi Maggi yes it does & with no protection, I have heard that it is supposed to be tender, but I have never had a problem with it. It even came through those two bad winters we had not long ago. Do you grow them?
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: David Nicholson on August 26, 2014, 08:23:27 AM
John's Agapanthus looks very similar to mine and if it is it's one of the Headbourne Hybrids Group. Hard as nails, mines been in the garden for around ten years now, and grows like Topsy. It must have at least 40 flowering stems (most of them on the ground after the weather we've had in the last few days) in a clump about 4 feet wide. It's being split as soon as it dies back!
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: monocotman on August 26, 2014, 09:31:58 AM
David - if that big agapanthus was mine I would be inclined to split it in the spring rather than the autumn.
too much time for rot to set in,
Regards,
David
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on August 30, 2014, 01:45:04 PM
Romulea sabulosa is still flowering well!
As is Hesperantha pauciflora;
Lachenalia concordiana
Lachenalia bolusii
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Mark Griffiths on August 30, 2014, 04:35:53 PM
very nice Fermi, how big are the flowers on the Romulea?
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on August 31, 2014, 12:35:18 PM
very nice Fermi, how big are the flowers on the Romulea?
Hi Mark,
They're huge ;D
About 5 or 6 cm across, I'd say,
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Mark Griffiths on August 31, 2014, 06:46:17 PM
yes, that is huge!
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on September 01, 2014, 03:01:22 AM
First flower open today on Gladiolus gracilis grown from seed from Gordon Summerfield, sown 6-6-2010.
I think it had a bud last year but it didn't open,
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Mark Griffiths on September 01, 2014, 12:04:09 PM
very nice!
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on September 04, 2014, 05:02:33 AM
Thanks, Mark.
Here's a better pic of Gladiolus gracilis and the first floret opened on Gladiolus tristis this morning,
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on September 05, 2014, 03:05:47 AM
A couple of Lachenalias:
Lachenalia aloides "Green'
Lachenalia mutabilis
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on September 06, 2014, 01:18:44 PM
A couple of geissorhiza,
Geissorhiza ornithogaloides x 2
Geissorhiza received as inflexa but probably aspera...maybe!
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: David Nicholson on September 06, 2014, 06:16:35 PM
You must have had a really good year this year Fermi, so much lovely stuff.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on September 07, 2014, 11:23:00 AM
Not just me, David!
Here are some pics from FCHS Spring Show today:
Veltheimia bracteata and V.b.'Lemon Blush'
Dipidax (Onixotis)
Bouquet by Hélène
freesias
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on September 07, 2014, 01:02:08 PM
More from FCHS Spring Show:
Gladiolus uysiae
Posy of Lachenalia from Helene
George's Babiana vanzyliae
Gladiolus alatus
Potted Scadoxus
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on September 07, 2014, 02:04:17 PM
Imagine having Lachenalias you are prepared to CUT!!!!  What amazing displays.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Mark Griffiths on September 07, 2014, 02:29:24 PM
yes, an amazing display.

That Gladiolus alatus is very cool looking.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: BULBISSIME on September 07, 2014, 08:07:48 PM
For the first time, I got flower of Haemanthus unifoliatus, tiny flower, but colorful  :)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on September 10, 2014, 12:53:54 AM
Haemanthus coccineus x albiflos
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on September 10, 2014, 02:53:56 AM
Hi Arnold,
what a lovely hybrid - did you do the cross yourself? How long did it take to flower?
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Hans J on September 10, 2014, 08:04:08 AM
I can offer seeds from my Haemanthus - please look here ;
http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=12265.0 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=12265.0)

Hans
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on September 10, 2014, 08:20:59 AM
In flower this morning, two Bulbinellas:
Bulbinella cauda-felis
Bulbinella triquetra
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on September 10, 2014, 10:30:15 AM
Fermides:

No I didn't perform the cross, it was done by another forumist and given to me as a gift.

Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Steve Garvie on September 10, 2014, 10:53:49 PM
Gethyllis villosa
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3854/15202220532_a7fba9363e_o.jpg)

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5580/15016023627_cbee8d61ac_o.jpg)



Gethyllis britteniana
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3911/15015927750_47836657ef_o.jpg)

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5594/15202229912_86d6d0369e_o.jpg)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ashley on September 10, 2014, 10:59:53 PM
Amazing plants Steve.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Mark Griffiths on September 11, 2014, 08:36:09 AM
wow Steve!
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on September 12, 2014, 09:54:43 PM
Haemanthus coccineus x coccineus

Reminds me so much of a sea anemone
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on September 12, 2014, 10:13:09 PM
Haemanthus coccineus x coccineus

Reminds me so much of a sea anemone

 Oh yes, I see what you mean - it's even got that sort of waxy jelly look!
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnw on September 12, 2014, 10:22:16 PM
I don't want to get you going Maggi but to me the H. coccineus flower is more like marzipan.

johnw
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on September 13, 2014, 10:46:35 AM
The spring flowers continue down south ;D
Babiana cedarbergensis
Geissorhiza tulbaghensis
Moraea bipartita from NZAGS 2012
Moraea bipartita from NZAGS 2008 which is twice the size of the one from 2012!
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on September 14, 2014, 12:11:10 AM
I imagine one of those little clown fish snuggling around in the flower.

Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on September 14, 2014, 11:00:56 AM
I imagine one of those little clown fish snuggling around in the flower.

Everyone growing the Haemanthus will have to check their flowers in future - just in  case, eh?  ;)

Just as well Angie has hers in a different place to her koi pond! :o ;D
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on September 14, 2014, 01:17:07 PM
I got these Albuca spiralis as seed from NZAGS 2011 Seedex but didn't sow till 2012.
Just noticed buds already!
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Michael J Campbell on September 14, 2014, 02:34:21 PM
Amaryllis belladonna x Cyrtanthus elatus. This is a cross I made 15 years ago and it is finally producing some  decent flowers.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: David Nicholson on September 14, 2014, 03:53:18 PM
Another triumph from Mr. Amazing ;D Lovely Michael.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnw on September 14, 2014, 04:35:40 PM
Wonderful Michael.  How does it differ from A. belladonna itself? Size?

johnw

25mm of rain last night! We need another 150.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Michael J Campbell on September 14, 2014, 04:41:03 PM
The leaves and stems are much shorter than the Amaryllis, The Amaryllis flowers were pink and the Cyrtanthus elatus were red and as you can see the flowers are white with hint of pink. My amaryllis are not in bloom yet and I would need a live flower side by side to compare any other differences. They are flowering a little bit earlier than the Amaryllis but that could be growing conditions or climatic.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnw on September 14, 2014, 04:50:15 PM
Interesting Michael and I suppose flowering much more dependably than the cranky Amaryllis (in this climate).

johnw
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnw on September 14, 2014, 04:53:12 PM
Everyone growing the Haemanthus will have to check their flowers in future - just in  case, eh?  ;)

Good one Arnold.  And marzipan is no relation to chocolate Maggi.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on September 14, 2014, 05:29:15 PM
Good one Arnold.  And marzipan is no relation to chocolate Maggi.
Hmmm, I've found it relates very well to  a chocolate covering.Those marzipan "fancies" are adorable - Ian would have them ALL scoffed in very short order - that is HIS weakness!

Terrible habit in this forum to connect everything to sweetmeats of some sort - you don't think we're obsessed do you?  ::)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: angie on September 14, 2014, 08:52:16 PM
Hmmm, I've found it relates very well to  a chocolate covering.Those marzipan "fancies" are adorable - Ian would have them ALL scoffed in very short order - that is HIS weakness!

Terrible habit in this forum to connect everything to sweetmeats of some sort - you don't think we're obsessed do you?  ::)


 ::) ::) ::) obsessed not at all.

Angie  :)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on September 16, 2014, 11:20:13 AM
Amaryllis belladonna x Cyrtanthus elatus. This is a cross I made 15 years ago and it is finally producing some  decent flowers.
Michael,
Are you getting any seed set on your hybrid? Is there any variation in those seedlings? I'd love to see a truly red Amaryllis!
Did you try the reverse cross as well?

Here are some more South African spring flowers:
Hesperantha vaginata ssp stanfordiae - plain yellow (I'll recently purchased the type species with the startling black markings - soon to flower!)
Geissorhiza (maybe) inflexa (the first one of the seedlings looked more like G. aspera, but this one is a bit different)
Oxalis obtusa
Sparaxis - maybe S. grandiflora but possibly just a nice white/yellow hybrid - there's a lot of them around!
Moraea villosa or possibly a hybrid with M. aristata
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnw on September 16, 2014, 04:17:43 PM
In late October last year I wrenched a bulb of Amaryllis belladonna (labelled 'Johannesburg' but doubtfully correct) out of the big potted clump here.  I planted it  and a few Lycoris radiata in a 1m high raised bed filled with a nasty nutrient-poor mix.  Last winter was a bad one and that bed surely froze stiff.  In late July 2014 up came the leaves of that solitary Amaryllis bulb. The Lycoris were planted very deeply so I assume they froze out.  One wonders how the Amaryllis got through that winter and what it has in mind to get through the next with leaves intact.

johnw
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on September 18, 2014, 10:59:27 AM
Some more in our garden now:
Lachenalia contaminata
Geissorhiza splendidissima
Babiana villosa - red form
Freesia sparrmanii
comparing F. sparrmanii with a typical freesia (F. refracta type)
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on September 21, 2014, 11:28:36 AM
Hesperantha vaginata type species is now flowering! A recent acquisition I bought from Greg boldiston who sells under the name Longinomus Plants.
The last pic compares it with the ssp stanfordiae
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on September 21, 2014, 12:04:26 PM
Gladiolus virescens flowering today from seed from Gordon Summerfield 2008 - the ones in this pot were the "spawn" left when I planted out what looked like flowering size (or near to it) corms a couple of years ago - just when we got a wet summer from which they never recovered!
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on September 23, 2014, 12:29:39 PM
Lachenalia splendida is flowering again in the rock garden despite its foliage being decimated by slugs.
Moraea spathulata has its first flower open this morning,
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on September 26, 2014, 06:07:29 AM
Another new acquisition from Greg Boldiston, Gladiolus stellatus, which is apparently on the threatened list in RSA.
(added a pic taken today with the flowers open wide)
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on September 28, 2014, 02:11:47 PM
Lots more spring flowers from the Cape open today!
First a little gathering of potted colour ;D
Next, a closer look at a pot of seed raised Geissorhiza monanthos from Gordon Summerfield 2010 showing a bit of variation
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on September 28, 2014, 02:41:23 PM
There are others flowering in the garden:
Babiana and ixias blooming together
purple-mauve babianas
rosy-purple babianas
ixias and moraea in a sand-bed,
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on September 28, 2014, 03:19:46 PM
Another new acquisition from Greg Boldiston, Gladiolus stellatus, which is apparently on the threatened list in RSA.
(added a pic taken today with the flowers open wide)
cheers
fermi
That is a lovely flower- not the usual slightly orchid-like flower we might expect from a gladiolus. Always soemthing new and wonderful to see and learn in the plant world.  8)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Jupiter on September 28, 2014, 03:32:37 PM
Fermi I had somehow missed your new posts on this thread until now.. That gladiolus is fantastic! I'm growing a couple of similar species from seed, they just germinated this year so potentially another year or two to flowering, right? The two I'm growing are G. ceresianus and G. watermeyeri.

Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Rimmer de Vries on September 28, 2014, 04:28:03 PM
Lots more spring flowers from the Cape open today!
First a little gathering of potted colour ;D
Next, a closer look at a pot of seed raised Geissorhiza monanthos from Gordon Summerfield 2010 showing a bit of variation
cheers
fermi
Hi Fermi
what sort of potting soil do you used for the potted Cape Bulbs?
some pots look as if they have a peat/perlite based compost, is this correct? 

Thank you

Rimmer
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnw on September 28, 2014, 08:22:02 PM
The Massonias seem so slow to emerge.  One day is coiol and the next one warm, they must be quite confused.  Here a yearling M. pustulata this afternoon.

johnw
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Robert on September 29, 2014, 03:02:46 AM
Fermi,

It looks as if some of your SA bulbs are in the ground, others in pots. In general Babiana is tender for us up at the farm, border-line in the Sacramento Valley. However, it appears that some Babiana species are bit more cold hardy than others? Same with Moraea - we are trialing a number of species at both locations- no clear indications yet. The Geisserhiza - cold hardy or is the containerized plants protected during cold weather? Though I admit it would be worth trying in our area as we have the two gardens.

Thanks for sharing all the great photos!
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on September 29, 2014, 12:39:02 PM

what sort of potting soil do you used for the potted Cape Bulbs?
some pots look as if they have a peat/perlite based compost, is this correct? 

Hi Rimmer,
no, I don't use perlite or peat with these bulbs in pots.
The pots are topped with coarse sand or gravel which might look like perlite.
I use a standard potting mix (in Australia we no longer use peat) - it's mostly decomposed bark with sand - to which I add 10 to 30 % coarse sand to make it more free draining.

It looks as if some of your SA bulbs are in the ground, others in pots. In general Babiana is tender for us up at the farm, border-line in the Sacramento Valley. However, it appears that some Babiana species are bit more cold hardy than others? Same with Moraea - we are trialing a number of species at both locations- no clear indications yet. The Geisserhiza - cold hardy or is the containerized plants protected during cold weather?
Robert,
all the Babiana odorata flowers got frosted off this year but B. pygmaea, which flower at the same time, came through unfazed. The later ones as pictured didn't have flowers buds at the time of those frosts so they were able to flower now.
The geissorhiza are all grown outdoors (in pots mostly) so experience the full brunt of our winters - as low as -5oC this year ;D They are kept dry over summer while they are dormant.
..That gladiolus is fantastic! I'm growing a couple of similar species from seed, they just germinated this year so potentially another year or two to flowering, right? The two I'm growing are G. ceresianus and G. watermeyeri.
Jamus,
I'm presuming you mean the G. virescens which I discovered has a beautiful violet scent  (like brown Boronia) :D . I find this "orchid-type" more difficult than others as they seem more sensitive to summer rainfall,
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Robert on September 29, 2014, 02:44:25 PM
Fermi,

Our Babiana always get frosted up at the farm. To the point that they die out - they get by in the valley. A Babiana that might be hardy for us up the mountain seems interesting. Thanks for sharing the information.

A Gladiolus that is fragrant like Boronia? Around here Boronia will fill a whole garden with its scent, however one can put ones nose up to the flowers and get no scent at all. Difficult for us to keep going too.  :(
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on September 29, 2014, 04:08:15 PM
which I discovered has a beautiful violet scent  (like brown Boronia) :D

Boronia megastigma is difficult to get hold of in the UK (plants and seed), I think, so I've never had the pleasure of appreciating what I hear is one of the best flower scents. Does anyone know of a seed/plant source in Europe?
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Jupiter on September 29, 2014, 04:30:30 PM
My Dad grew up in the bush in Margaret river, Western Australia, boronias natural habitat. He tells the story of how as kids they would catch a whiff of Boronia while walking in the bush, then turn and walk up wind, using their noses to find the plant. It truly is one of the loveliest scented plants of all. Sandy soil, neutral to acid, perfect drainage but never completely dry, does not tolerate frost, dappled light under trees.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on September 29, 2014, 11:11:10 PM
It truly is one of the loveliest scented plants of all. Sandy soil, neutral to acid, perfect drainage but never completely dry, does not tolerate frost, dappled light under trees.

So in pots under glass in the UK...now to try and track down a seed source!
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Anthony Darby on September 30, 2014, 07:36:10 AM
Must check out the garden centres for Boronia.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on September 30, 2014, 11:08:08 AM

A Gladiolus that is fragrant like Boronia? Around here Boronia will fill a whole garden with its scent, however one can put ones nose up to the flowers and get no scent at all. Difficult for us to keep going too.  :(
Not easy for us either, Robert :( Mostly grown as an "annual" - bought as a potted plant in flower and tossed after it finishes. Or as I do planted out and watched as it dwindles away :'(
This Sparaxis (?S.elegans) used to be known as Strepthanthera when I first grew it,
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnw on September 30, 2014, 11:08:50 PM
The first Nerine bowdenii 'Pink Distinction' flower bud emerged here yesterday, it may be a few weeks before opening.   This is very early for it, no doubt the supplemental watering during the drought has made a difference.

johnw - +16c at 8pm
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: jshields on September 30, 2014, 11:33:25 PM
Some of my Nerine bowdenii "Koen's Hardy" and bowdenii wellsii are sending up buds.  They are all in pots -- they don't handle our Midwestern winters well in the ground -- and they tend to bloom erratically from one year to the next.  In any given year, only about one of them in three seems to bloom.  "Koen's Hardy" is my name for a cultivar that Aad Koen gave me ca. 15 years ago.  For him, it  was hardy over winter in his fields in the Netherlands; for me, it has only about a 15% survival rate when grown outdoors in the ground over winter here in central Indiana.

Jim
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnw on October 01, 2014, 12:58:40 AM
Mine are erratic too Jim.  I was told to plant them in good soil in the sun, moist not dry during the growing season, and away from the foundation.  However they won't survive much beyond the foundation where it is both dry and shady..... Can't win.  No flowers on the welsiis yet and hoping it's hardier, well hardier in our previous milder winters, now that the old fashioned winters have returned who know what will happen.

johnw
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on October 01, 2014, 07:38:03 AM
Lachenalia orchioides var glaucina is just coming into flower,
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Paul Cumbleton on October 04, 2014, 09:27:48 AM
For all those interested in South African Bulbs, the South African Bulb Group hold our next meeting next Sunday October 12th at Winchester, Hampshire, UK. Full details can be found on the group's website at http://www.sabg.tk/ (http://www.sabg.tk/). Everyone welcome.

Paul
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Paul Cumbleton on October 04, 2014, 09:33:29 AM
Maggi,
Sorry - do you think my last post would be better in the Events section? please move if so. Thanks

Paul


edit by maggi : I've repeated it there, Paul - see if we can reach as big an audience as possible!
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on October 04, 2014, 11:56:32 AM
This Geissorhiza radians is one of the wildflowers known as wine-cups, I believe.
Grown from seed from Gordon Summerfield, 2010,
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Jupiter on October 04, 2014, 12:08:13 PM

What a wonderful thing fermi. I have some seed of other Geissorhiza species in but not that one. Did you sow the seed in 2010 or was it just collected 2010?

Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on October 04, 2014, 12:18:11 PM
Hi Jamus,
I sowed the seeds in 2010 and got the first flower in 2012. I'm hoping this year I'll get some seed set.

Here's a patch of mixed ixias, including Ixia maculata
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Robert on October 04, 2014, 06:28:27 PM
Fermi,

To date I haven't explored the idea of growing Geissorhiza species. Clearly it looks like it is worth my time!
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on October 05, 2014, 12:31:11 PM
Geissorhiza radians ... from seed from Gordon Summerfield, 2010,
Forgot to show the exterior yesterday!
Robert,
as I said, I'm hoping for some seed to set ;)
It's a little cutie, but I've only grown it in a pot so far - I think it would get lost in the garden - maybe a raised bed would be suitable so you can get down to enjoy it,
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Robert on October 06, 2014, 02:03:50 AM
Forgot to show the exterior yesterday!
Robert,
as I said, I'm hoping for some seed to set ;)
It's a little cutie, but I've only grown it in a pot so far - I think it would get lost in the garden - maybe a raised bed would be suitable so you can get down to enjoy it,
cheers
fermi

Excellent! That is what I had in mind.

Cheers
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on October 07, 2014, 04:55:31 AM
Moraea setifolia and Lachenalia orchioides var glaucina
Moraea setifolia close-up
Pelargonium triste & close-up
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on October 08, 2014, 12:15:48 PM
Another geissorhiza - this time in a lemony yellow with a dark centre:
Geissorhiza darlingensis from NZAGS 2011 Seedex;
first two pics taken in the morning and the third later in the day when the sunshine got it to open more,
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnw on October 08, 2014, 05:17:21 PM
The 14 month old Massonia pustulata babies have  finally shot up and appear to have bulked up a bit despite my "care".

johnw
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on October 09, 2014, 02:21:43 AM
John:

My experience with these Massonias is that they are pretty tough little bulbs.

Mine sit all summer in a cool basement and show up on schedule.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: David Nicholson on October 09, 2014, 08:30:53 AM
Another geissorhiza - this time in a lemony yellow with a dark centre:
Geissorhiza darlingensis from NZAGS 2011 Seedex;


That's a beauty Fermi.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on October 09, 2014, 10:13:01 AM
Thanks, David,
it's certainly eye-catching.
Here are some mixed ixias,
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnw on October 09, 2014, 12:15:09 PM
John: My experience with these Massonias is that they are pretty tough little bulbs.  Mine sit all summer in a cool basement and show up on schedule.

Arnold  - These actually sat in the greenhouse all summer long without a single drink, I meant to put them in the cool basement so they have to be tough.

johnw - +16c
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Robert on October 09, 2014, 03:37:43 PM
Fermi,

I like the yellow Geissorhiza too. Very sweet. Are the Ixias weedy - seedy for you? Sparxis is certainly seedy both in Sacramento as well as at the farm. We keep some around in the Sacramento garden - they look good in the spring. At the farm I think that they would naturalize, however they rodents keep them in check.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on October 09, 2014, 10:35:45 PM
Robert,
ixias can be very weedy here! I try to collect the seed or "contain" them within certain beds and remove them from where I don't want them.
The mass of them shown above is the result of a few years od crossing and seeding without any control :-\
The seedlings of the "blue ixia" are just starting - the parent is what I think is a Ixia viridiflora hybrid - a paler version of the true species and unfortunately often sold as the (much rarer) true Ixia viridiflora >:(
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Robert on October 10, 2014, 12:20:24 AM
Fermi,

My wife likes some of the color forms of Sparaxis that seed out in our Sacramento garden. We tend to keep them and weed out many of the others.

The Ixia viridiflora hybrid is quite sweet.

Cheers
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Steve Garvie on October 19, 2014, 01:44:38 PM
A couple of small Brunsvigia in growth -the first is still on southern hemisphere time and is starting to die back now, the second has just sprung into growth.
The first is probably Brunsvigia gariepensis (despite the label). The second is I think the true Brunsvigia namaquana though I would be grateful for confirmation on both.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5605/15386567557_decec56081_o.jpg)

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3948/15385960469_ce7efb4d0d_o.jpg)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on October 24, 2014, 11:21:45 AM
A couple of ixias grown from SRGC Seedex2011:

Ixia trifolia - not sure why it's lying down!
Ixia scillaris - looking a bit atypical as the pic was taken in the late afternoon and the flowers were starting to fold up,

cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Helen Johnstone on October 24, 2014, 06:07:47 PM
I have just acquired some bulbs of lachenalia rubida from PBS but struggling to get my head around when they will flower in the UK and what conditions they need.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on October 24, 2014, 10:57:23 PM
I have just acquired some bulbs of lachenalia rubida from PBS but struggling to get my head around when they will flower in the UK and what conditions they need.

Helen - it's one of the earlier flowering Lachenalia species, ie late autumn/early winter. It needs a really gritty soil and keep dry over summer. They can tolerate low-ish temperatures for short periods but much prefer frost-free conditions. And give as much light as possible in growth. Here's a more scientific view from Japan: http://wwwlib.teiep.gr/images/stories/acta/Acta%20673/673_47.pdf (http://wwwlib.teiep.gr/images/stories/acta/Acta%20673/673_47.pdf)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on October 25, 2014, 01:36:21 AM
Helen:

Mine are pushing flower buds at this moment.  Very early for me.  Last year flowered at the end of November.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Darren on October 25, 2014, 03:55:20 PM
I've had this in flower in september some years. Late october is more typical. This year looks like being into November - the warm early autumn has kept some things dormant for longer - this being one of them.

According to Graham Duncan's monograph we should now be calling it L. punctata.

Culture for me is exactly as Steve says. The maximum light thing is important if you want to keep it 'in character'. In years when it flowers early the light is better and the better it looks. When it flowers in November it reaches for the light and gets leggy and has a pronounced lean to the south!

Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: YT on October 26, 2014, 05:59:16 AM
Hello, Oxalis luteola 'Splash' MV7689 opened its first flowers this morning :)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on October 28, 2014, 11:59:42 AM

The Ixia viridiflora hybrid is quite sweet.
Robert,
more are flowering now,
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on October 28, 2014, 12:03:49 PM
more ixia hybrids
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Robert on October 28, 2014, 01:33:28 PM
more ixia hybrids
cheers
fermi

Fermi,

It appears that you get an extended bloom cycle from the Ixia hybrids. They are all very nice and good to see.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnw on October 31, 2014, 02:54:39 PM
Nerine ['David Lionel' x 'Hotspur'] selection #1 just coming in to flower. The colour is a shade or two darker than the photo shows.  Hopefully it will hold its colour.

No frost in sight but a wild nor'easter is threatening us.

johnw
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Mark Griffiths on October 31, 2014, 03:00:11 PM
wow, never seen a Nerine that colour - the Ixia hybrids are stunning too.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnw on October 31, 2014, 03:15:57 PM
Mark - The darkest one was a more complex cross - Nerine PS-09   ['David Lionel'  x  ('Bagdad' x 'Pantaloon')-25519a].

johnw
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnralphcarpenter on October 31, 2014, 03:50:09 PM
That really is superb!
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnw on October 31, 2014, 04:10:54 PM
Ralph  - The colour is good but the truss is too loose.

johnw
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnw on October 31, 2014, 04:12:43 PM
Those 1 year old Massonia pustulata seedlings have decided to do some serious growing.

johnw
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnw on October 31, 2014, 07:58:22 PM
Unbelievably lovely Ixia hybrids there Fermi.  :o

johnw
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on October 31, 2014, 09:44:51 PM
Thanks, John,
I love the look of your new nerines, too - appear to be a good clear purple without the muddiness of some of the earlier hybrids, congratulations!
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnw on November 01, 2014, 12:53:54 AM
Thanks, John, I love the look of your new nerines, too - appear to be a good clear purple without the muddiness of some of the earlier hybrids, congratulations! cheers fermi

Fermi - Ah, but now comes the difficult part.  It is easier to start with a good truss and then improve the colour rather than the reverse which necessitates going backwards rather than forward and likely to those grey mauves of 15+ years ago.  Purples in rhodos are especially difficult too when you have to add hardiness.

johnw
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on November 01, 2014, 10:29:02 AM
I'm sure you'll keep at it, John ;D
Here's the first flowers of Gladiolus wilsonii
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on November 02, 2014, 05:11:59 PM
Freesia fulcata


 Early this year.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Roma on November 04, 2014, 12:51:09 PM
Massonia pustulata, from AGS seed sown in January 2011.  Most have flower buds.  The leaves grow long and narrow with the poor light levels in the house.  When I repotted them this year I split them up with 1, 2, 3 and 4 in separate pots.  I left the pot with 2 bulbs in the greenhouse and it looks much better.  I will leave it there over winter and hope it survives.  With 10 bulbs I can afford to experiment.   
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: David Nicholson on November 04, 2014, 01:20:38 PM
Polyxena longituba grown from seed and flowering around the same time as last year.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnw on November 04, 2014, 04:05:30 PM
The Nerine SP-8-01 finally opened this morning and it's held its colour.

Of note the formerly red 'Purple Robe' breaks down as it ages to strong purple.  The SP-8-01 has a bright red exterior base.  I wish I could deduce something from that..........

I'll add a shot of 'Purple Robe' as it appears today a bit later.

johnw
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnstephen29 on November 05, 2014, 07:06:00 PM
Lovely massonia's Roma
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Roma on November 05, 2014, 07:18:35 PM
Lovely massonia's Roma
Thanks, John.  I'd like to grow more South African bulbs but they get too drawn on a windowsill and the greenhouse can get a bit cold.  There's also the space problem with all the Cyclamen and other bulbs I grow ;D
I did grow a few at work but even with some heat in the greenhouse the winter light levels are too low when these plants want to be growing.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnw on November 05, 2014, 07:20:41 PM
See how the colour of the red Purple Robe has broken down / deteriorated to purple before departure. And compare that colour to the purple Nerine far to the rear.

johnw
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on November 05, 2014, 09:07:34 PM
Jon Evans  has posted some pictures of some fantastic plants - many of them grown by Paul Cumbleton, which were shown at the October meeting of the South African Bulb Group :
http://www.alpinegardensociety.net/discussion/underglass/Autumn+Flowering+South+African+Bulbs/19794/ (http://www.alpinegardensociety.net/discussion/underglass/Autumn+Flowering+South+African+Bulbs/19794/)

 Enjoy!
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnstephen29 on November 05, 2014, 09:38:33 PM
Hi Roma I know exactly what you mean about having a lot of plants, take a look at these pictures, I emptied my greenhouse so I could clean and bubble wrap it for the winter, then I looked at all the plants to go back in and my heart sank down to my toe capped boots :D

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3938/15535444000_22c656e108_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/pEPdfL)IMG_0195 (https://flic.kr/p/pEPdfL) by johnstephen29 (https://www.flickr.com/people/126223196@N05/), on Flickr

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5603/15100325184_57545aacfb_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/p1n7Ad)IMG_0193 (https://flic.kr/p/p1n7Ad) by johnstephen29 (https://www.flickr.com/people/126223196@N05/), on Flickr
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on November 06, 2014, 04:41:48 PM
Flowers on Massonia echinata just starting to open, pustulata on its way.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on November 06, 2014, 04:48:07 PM
I have just acquired some bulbs of lachenalia rubida from PBS but struggling to get my head around when they will flower in the UK and what conditions they need.

Following on from this conversation, I sowed seed of L. rubida (punctata) in the autumn of 2012 and one of the bulbs is just starting to flower. So, not only is it an early season flowerer, it seems to be quite precocious as well.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: fermi de Sousa on November 07, 2014, 04:04:39 AM
John,
I don't envy you the re-packing job - we have a similar workload preparing the summer dormant bulbs for their rest!
In the garden a few more ixia hybrids are in bloom - these two are especially exciting to me, the first is close to the true Ixia viridiflora and the second is a "colour break" with a pinky-purple centre,
cheers
fermi
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Mike Ireland on November 07, 2014, 11:14:33 AM
Flowers on Massonia echinata just starting to open, pustulata on its way.
The leaves on your pustulata are fantastic, not seen them with such nice markings.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on November 07, 2014, 05:08:48 PM
The leaves on your pustulata are fantastic, not seen them with such nice markings.

Mike - yes, I really like this form too. It is a really dark purple colour when the leaves first emerge, slowly turning green but retaining the purple markings. Similar, I think, to the one shown in Paul Cumbleton's Wisley blog about Massonias (http://www.srgc.org.uk/wisley/2007/071107/log.html (http://www.srgc.org.uk/wisley/2007/071107/log.html)).
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on November 07, 2014, 05:12:58 PM
I think it's a cracker too Steve- shared it on the SRGC Twitter page- where it is also being praised!
https://twitter.com/ScottishRockGC
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnstephen29 on November 07, 2014, 06:52:26 PM
It took me ages fermi, all done now thank goodness.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on November 07, 2014, 06:56:07 PM
It took me ages fermi, all done now thank goodness.

I was wondering if they would all fit back in, or if you'd be left with a few - like the old joke about mending a clock!
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnstephen29 on November 07, 2014, 07:29:40 PM
Hi Maggi, no they all went in, just took me 2 1/2 hours getting them all sorted into there proper place. Just think I'll have it all to do again come spring.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: David Nicholson on November 07, 2014, 07:36:34 PM
To think I cleaned mine every year. Not now though the outside gets a good clean when I take my shade paint off and the inside gets a "lick and a scrat- Yorkshire Expression!!) every seldom.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnstephen29 on November 07, 2014, 10:11:40 PM
Mine gets done inside and out twice a year David, especially this year with all the bugs about. I had white fly in the greenhouse, till I blasted them :)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Paul Cumbleton on November 08, 2014, 09:43:52 AM
Hi Steve,
Lovely plants! I think your Massonia echinata is actually Massonia hirsuta. You can easily tell M. hirsuta from the buds - the scales overlap each other rather like roof tiles. There is a picture below to show a M. echinata bud on the left and a M. hirsuta bud on the right. Also, I have never seen M. echinata with anything other than white flowers, while M. hirsute can be white or, as in your example, mauve.

Cheers
Paul

Buds: Massonia echinata (left) and Massonia hirsute (right)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on November 08, 2014, 03:59:28 PM
Veltheimia capensis

Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on November 08, 2014, 10:02:31 PM
Strumaria truncata
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on November 08, 2014, 11:29:12 PM
Hi Steve,
Lovely plants! I think your Massonia echinata is actually Massonia hirsuta. You can easily tell M. hirsuta from the buds - the scales overlap each other rather like roof tiles. There is a picture below to show a M. echinata bud on the left and a M. hirsuta bud on the right. Also, I have never seen M. echinata with anything other than white flowers, while M. hirsute can be white or, as in your example, mauve.

Cheers
Paul

Buds: Massonia echinata (left) and Massonia hirsute (right)

Thanks, Paul, that's really helpful. I was given the bulbs (but I think the seed was originally from Silverhill) and I did wonder about the pink/mauve flower colour, others I have are white. The PBS has M. hirsuta down as a synonym of M. echinata, presumably this is now out of date? I do know the genus needs some tidying up! By the way, I also have some young plants of the Massonia sp. ex Addo form. Has the species been identified now? Also hirsuta? Cheers.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnralphcarpenter on November 09, 2014, 01:32:49 PM
Chasmanthe floribunda var. duckittii flowering outside. Will it survive the winter here?
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnw on November 10, 2014, 02:54:32 PM
Cyrtanthus contractus during a repot yesterday, ex seed November 2009 from Rogan.  Interesting to see how broken roots can send out new roots at the breakage point.  Hoping for flowers soon and finding seeds of C. tucki & C. breviflorus someday.

johnw
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Robert on November 10, 2014, 11:13:54 PM
Cyrtanthus contractus during a repot yesterday, ex seed November 2009 from Rogan.  Interesting to see how broken roots can send out new roots at the breakage point.  Hoping for flowers soon and finding seeds of C. tucki & C. breviflorus someday.

johnw

John,

I grow Cyranthus breviflorus. I'll check to see if I have any extra seed. If not, I think that Ginny Hunt (seedhunt) lists it this year.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: YT on November 16, 2014, 07:16:53 AM
Polyxena pygmaea
Lachenalia rubida, dark leaf form

Both are 1-2 weeks earlier than the usual here :)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on November 16, 2014, 12:47:44 PM
YT:

Your plants are so much more compact then mine.  Out light levels are a real detriment to growing tight compact plants.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: pehe on November 16, 2014, 06:36:14 PM
Massonia pustulata in flower and Daubenya aurea in bud.

Poul
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnstephen29 on November 16, 2014, 08:30:49 PM
Beautiful Massonia's Poul
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: angie on November 17, 2014, 04:51:44 PM
Beautiful Massonia's Poul
Yep, I second that  8)

Angie  :)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on November 20, 2014, 02:01:33 PM
Two early flowering plants. 

The Lachenalia punctata was  Lachenalia rubida

and

The Lachenalia  pygmaea was  Polyxena pygmaea
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: pehe on November 20, 2014, 07:18:01 PM
Thank you John and Angie!

They are grown from seeds which a kind forumist gave me in 2009.
They are flowering for the 3rd year.
I find them quite easy, they are treated as my mediterranean bulbs. Dry and hot in the summer (which probably is wrong), and watered September the 1st. Kept frost free during the winter.
I have spares if someone is interested in a swap in late spring.

Poul
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnstephen29 on November 21, 2014, 08:43:56 AM
Hi Poul how can it be wrong when you get plants like these? It obviously works. Yeah I'd be interested in swapping, what other plants are you interested in?
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: angie on November 21, 2014, 08:28:55 PM
Thank you John and Angie!

They are grown from seeds which a kind forumist gave me in 2009.
They are flowering for the 3rd year.
I find them quite easy, they are treated as my mediterranean bulbs. Dry and hot in the summer (which probably is wrong), and watered September the 1st. Kept frost free during the winter.
I have spares if someone is interested in a swap in late spring.

Poul

Paul wish I had your success with seeds. I do the same as you have done with the bulbs and fingers crossed I have success this year with my seed  :-\  pm you about swaps.
Angie  :)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnw on November 22, 2014, 02:18:27 AM
I was examining my Massonia pustulata seedlings today - see photo - and all leaves are smooth.  I was really hoping for the wonderfully textured leaves that have been pictured in this thread.  Is there a chance they'll develop the bumps in time or shall I start again? Just missed out ordering it from the seedex.

M. wittebergensis seedlings at 3 months are already showing bumpy leaves.

johnw

Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: pehe on November 22, 2014, 05:33:48 AM
Hi Poul how can it be wrong when you get plants like these? It obviously works. Yeah I'd be interested in swapping, what other plants are you interested in?

Hi John,

I am no expert at all at South African bulbs, so maybe I am wrong, but I have read somewhere that they should be kept cool in the summer. My main interest is autumn flowering bulbs (Crocus, Sternbergia, Muscari, Colchicum, Galanthus and Narcissus)

Poul
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on November 22, 2014, 02:35:32 PM
I was examining my Massonia pustulata seedlings today - see photo - and all leaves are smooth.  I was really hoping for the wonderfully textured leaves that have been pictured in this thread.  Is there a chance they'll develop the bumps in time or shall I start again? Just missed out ordering it from the seedex.
johnw

John - the bumps may become more pronounced as the bulbs mature. I think there are also smooth-leaved forms in cultivation but much less common than the pustulate forms (Paul C would know better than I though). Here's one of mine now in full flower.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnw on November 22, 2014, 02:53:41 PM
Steve  - I'll keep my fingers crossed.  That is one sensational pustulata you show!

johnw
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Paul Cumbleton on November 22, 2014, 03:24:54 PM
John,
Yes , M. pustulata can be quite varied, from smooth-leaved (despite its name!) right through to extremely pustulate. My most pustulate one is very striking (pic below). I have a couple like this, which I will cross (excluding other pollinators) and hope to get similar offspring though this is not guaranteed. I will share these around if successful.

While young bulbs may not show their final adult form my guess is that yours ought to be showing at least something by now, so I would guess they may end up not as you hoped. The other possibility is that yours could be hybrids - see the discussion on this on the Massonia echinata thread.

Paul
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ashley on November 22, 2014, 03:37:24 PM
Wow, such a beauty.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnw on November 22, 2014, 05:17:04 PM
My the pustulatas just keep getting better!

Thanks for the information Paul.  In time we'll see what comes of the ones here and report back.

johnw
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Rimmer de Vries on November 22, 2014, 06:48:09 PM
a few ZA bulbs blooming in an out side frame on November 5 before any winter covering. (Sunny photos)

and today after a week of subfreezing temps (-9C to -17C) day and night under only a polycarbonate lid



 
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: K-D Keller on November 22, 2014, 06:51:51 PM
A sunny day today, Moraea polystachya and Romulea rosea open their first blossoms. Third picture Massonia depressa.


Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Rimmer de Vries on November 22, 2014, 07:32:07 PM
blooming now inside basement under lights

Haemanthus paucufolius
Lachenalia virdiflora
Othonna sp?
Oxalis cathara
Strumaria tenella tenella
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Rimmer de Vries on November 22, 2014, 07:33:50 PM
Massonia -19 months from seed
do you think these will bloom this year? 
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on November 22, 2014, 07:51:30 PM
Third picture Massonia depressa.

I think it may actually be Massonia pustulata..?
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on November 23, 2014, 09:10:32 PM
I think I mis-identified the previous Freesia fucata as "fulcata".  This one popped up in a pot of Veltheimia.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on November 23, 2014, 11:38:50 PM
I think I mis-identified the previous Freesia fucata as "fulcata".  This one popped up in a pot of Veltheimia.

Hi Arnold, is this freesia scented?
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on November 24, 2014, 12:01:11 AM
I was examining my Massonia pustulata seedlings today - see photo - and all leaves are smooth.
johnw

John - You're not alone! Here's young pustulata plants with fairly smooth leaves (just a few bumps thus far). By comparison, another more mature plant with very pustulate leaves.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on November 24, 2014, 12:08:22 AM
While young bulbs may not show their final adult form...
Paul

Here's an example of that. Massonia depressa just reaching flowering size and, this year, showing markings on the leaves - as young plants they were plain green. (Note to self: hey, slacker, get a grip on the repotting.)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on November 24, 2014, 12:41:16 AM
Pustulata like people they get more bumpy as they age.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnw on November 24, 2014, 12:29:58 PM
Pustulata like people they get more bumpy as they age.

Then there's hope for warts & wens?
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: angie on November 24, 2014, 01:06:42 PM
Pustulata like people they get more bumpy as they age.

So my age is to blame then. So now I can carry on eating the chocolate then  ;D ;D

Angie  :)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: YT on November 27, 2014, 02:41:50 PM
Here's an example of that. Massonia depressa just reaching flowering size and, this year, showing markings on the leaves - as young plants they were plain green. (Note to self: hey, slacker, get a grip on the repotting.)
M. depressa plants also get stains on the leaf skin as they get old...
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: YT on November 27, 2014, 02:43:17 PM
Polyxena paucifolia 2 year-old seedlings :)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Mark Griffiths on November 27, 2014, 02:56:04 PM
very nice YT - are they scented?
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Rimmer de Vries on November 27, 2014, 03:02:49 PM
Lapierousa oreogena (Silverhill seed), blooming now,
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: David Nicholson on November 27, 2014, 03:15:37 PM
Lovely colour Rimmer.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Rimmer de Vries on November 27, 2014, 03:32:14 PM
on my camera and screen the color is a bit too purple, in reality the color is more royal blue.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on November 27, 2014, 04:18:08 PM
Polyxena paucifolia from YT and  Lapeirousia oreogena from Rimmer - aren't these wonderful little plants just a great example of the appeal of these dwarf bulbs ? Just  wonderful little things-
is there any wonder these plants are so popular ?
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: YT on November 29, 2014, 02:24:50 PM
very nice YT - are they scented?
Thanks, Mark. I cannot say yes... They are a bit stinky as the other polyxenas :(

Polyxena paucifolia from YT and  Lapeirousia oreogena from Rimmer - aren't these wonderful little plants just a great example of the appeal of these dwarf bulbs ? Just  wonderful little things-
is there any wonder these plants are so popular ?
And these are extreamly tough in spite of their so tiny bodies, Maggi ;)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: YT on November 30, 2014, 09:48:16 AM
A lachenalia hybrid L. 'November Fantasia' has started to bloom 1 month earlier than the last season.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on December 03, 2014, 02:40:14 PM
Nectar pools gathering at the base of Massonia depressa flowers ready to entice its rodent pollinators.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on December 08, 2014, 12:15:43 PM
M. pustulata now in full flower.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Auricular on December 08, 2014, 12:33:54 PM
Here are my loved Daubenya zeyheri

:-)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on December 08, 2014, 01:38:08 PM
Here are my loved Daubenya zeyheri

:-)
   Like Christmas decorations!
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Chris Johnson on December 08, 2014, 03:24:19 PM
Lovely plants Steve and Haemanthus, I must try growing some.

Chris
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on December 08, 2014, 04:42:04 PM
Here are my loved Daubenya zeyheri
:-)

Fantastic colours!

Chris - Massonia are easy from seed, Daubenya less so (in my limited experience).
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Chris Johnson on December 09, 2014, 07:36:56 AM
Chris - Massonia are easy from seed, Daubenya less so (in my limited experience).

That's encouraging Steve, I'll try Massonias next year if I can locate some seed to buy.

I bought some Daubenya seeds this year which has all germinated and look healthy. Hope I can keep them that way.

Chris
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnstephen29 on December 09, 2014, 08:47:46 AM
Hi Chris there were some massonia seeds being sold on eBay not so long back try there.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Chris Johnson on December 09, 2014, 11:36:12 AM
Hi Chris there were some massonia seeds being sold on eBay not so long back try there.

Thanks for the tip, John. I'm naturally cautious about buying seeds and plants off eBay unless I know the seller. Will check it out this afternoon although it's probably too late in the year now.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on December 09, 2014, 01:07:26 PM
Thanks for the tip, John. I'm naturally cautious about buying seeds and plants off eBay unless I know the seller. Will check it out this afternoon although it's probably too late in the year now.

You could buy seed direct from South Africa through Silverhill or Gordon Summerfield. This year though I'm still waiting for my seeds to arrrive from the latter - delay due to a #*!!~#! SAF postal strike. There's a UK seller based in John's neck of the woods (Scampton Succulents); reasonably priced but only 5 seeds per packet and I'm not sure how reliable as I've had emails that have not been replied to in the past.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Chris Johnson on December 09, 2014, 02:04:31 PM
You could buy seed direct from South Africa through Silverhill or Gordon Summerfield. This year though I'm still waiting for my seeds to arrrive from the latter - delay due to a #*!!~#! SAF postal strike. There's a UK seller based in John's neck of the woods (Scampton Succulents); reasonably priced but only 5 seeds per packet and I'm not sure how reliable as I've had emails that have not been replied to in the past.

Hi Steve

Thanks for that information. I have just replied to you PM.

Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnstephen29 on December 09, 2014, 02:47:05 PM
Hi steve I have bought some seeds off scampton succulents, massonia depressa, six seeds via ebay. Arrived pretty quickly, just got to get them to germinate now.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on December 09, 2014, 02:59:14 PM
Hi steve I have bought some seeds off scampton succulents, massonia depressa, six seeds via ebay. Arrived pretty quickly, just got to get them to germinate now.

Hi John - also has his own website if you want to give ebay a swerve and pay by cheque (I'm so 20th C!). http://scamptonsucculents.mybisi.com/. (http://scamptonsucculents.mybisi.com/.) I've bought Lachenalia seed from him in the past and they arrived ok. Last time I emailed with an enquiry though I didn't get a reply which put me off a bit, although to be fair it may have just been an oversight.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnstephen29 on December 09, 2014, 04:56:06 PM
Hi steve I've taken a look at the website, it's not bad.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Peter Maguire on December 09, 2014, 10:48:06 PM
Hi John,
I've had seed from Scampton succulents in the past twelve months (bought via ebay) and had good germination from what I've received from them this time last year.
However I now know that this isn't the best time to be sowing SA bulb seed here as they go dormant after a very short growing season, which probably doesn't allow a decent sized young bulb to develop, so I'm not sure how much is coming back up for a second season. This previously happened to me with some AGS seedex Massonia seed which I put down to poor cultivation on my part, but may not have been. Following Darren Sleep's advice I kept all my SA bulb seed from the seed exchanges last year at room temperature until August, then sowed it - fantastic germination in September and things have been growing well since.
It might be useful to keep it on one side for now and sow it in the summer.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnstephen29 on December 10, 2014, 01:23:41 AM
Hi peter thanks for the advice, I'll do that.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: YT on December 10, 2014, 06:27:58 AM
Today's Lachenalia viridiflora :)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on December 10, 2014, 10:04:16 AM
Today's Lachenalia viridiflora :)
Oh, WOW!  That is a perfect potfull - I don't think we've seen better.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: YT on December 10, 2014, 10:40:26 AM
Thank you, Maggi :) It's very easy to grow here. Leaving the pot on a sunny bench without any protection and a bit of fertilizer and wartering ;D
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: krisderaeymaeker on December 10, 2014, 05:40:12 PM
Thank you, Maggi :) It's very easy to grow here. Leaving the pot on a sunny bench without any protection and a bit of fertilizer and wartering ;D

Now you are maybe a bit to modest Tatsuo  ;) The hand of the master reflects in this fine example .
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnralphcarpenter on December 10, 2014, 07:49:05 PM
Some initial confusion over the identity of these two, now identified as Massonia hirsuta, somewhat grazed by molluscs, and Massonia tenella,
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on December 10, 2014, 11:22:16 PM
Some initial confusion over the identity of these two, now identified as Massonia hirsuta, somewhat grazed by molluscs, and Massonia tenella,

Hmmm...Massonia tenella is one I've not come across before. Is this an example of the splitters at work? Looks a bit like a form of M. echinata (or jasminiflora?) with slightly pustulate leaves...
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnralphcarpenter on December 11, 2014, 10:47:25 AM
Massonia tenella is an accepted name: Hyacinthaceae Massonia tenella Sol. ex Baker J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 11: 389. 1870 [1871 publ. 1870].

I bought it from Paul Cumbleton who described it  thus:"Massonia jasminiflora is still relatively uncommon in cultivation though widespread in the wild. It's wide distribution in South Africa means it occurs in various forms. The one offered is a quite recent discovery that has small pustules and fine hairs on the leaf and - most unusually - bulb tunics that are a deep beetroot purple in colour. This species makes naturally quite small bulbs - this bulb is 4 years old and has already flowered once".

He subsequently emailed me: "A little while ago you bought from me on eBay the Massonia jasminiflora from Nieuwouldtville. It turns out that when Gordon Summerfield (who I got the original seed from) first discovered this he incorrectly identified it. It turns out that this plant is actually Massonia tenella. So you may wish to re-write the label. Sorry about this – though the good news is that M. tenella has rarely been seen in cultivation before so we have a new species in our collections!"

So that's all good.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on December 11, 2014, 01:31:08 PM
Massonia tenella is an accepted name: Hyacinthaceae Massonia tenella Sol. ex Baker J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 11: 389. 1870 [1871 publ. 1870].

I bought it from Paul Cumbleton who described it  thus:"Massonia jasminiflora is still relatively uncommon in cultivation though widespread in the wild. It's wide distribution in South Africa means it occurs in various forms. The one offered is a quite recent discovery that has small pustules and fine hairs on the leaf and - most unusually - bulb tunics that are a deep beetroot purple in colour. This species makes naturally quite small bulbs - this bulb is 4 years old and has already flowered once".

He subsequently emailed me: "A little while ago you bought from me on eBay the Massonia jasminiflora from Nieuwouldtville. It turns out that when Gordon Summerfield (who I got the original seed from) first discovered this he incorrectly identified it. It turns out that this plant is actually Massonia tenella. So you may wish to re-write the label. Sorry about this – though the good news is that M. tenella has rarely been seen in cultivation before so we have a new species in our collections!"

So that's all good.

Thanks for the additional information, you learn something new everyday on this forum! So that's another species to look out for.  :)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Paul Cumbleton on December 11, 2014, 03:05:42 PM
Thanks Ralph for posting the info I sent you which clears up the identity of this plant. I had actually wondered for a while if this was really a form of jasminiflora as the flowers are quite different in structure. I owe thanks to a German friend for providing the correct identification.

I have a good stock of Massonia tenella as the seed I originally bought germinated extremely well. So for anyone wanting one, I shall offer plants on eBay next summer.

Paul
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: mark smyth on December 15, 2014, 04:29:11 PM
Lapierousa oreogena (Silverhill seed), blooming now,

How easy or difficult is this bulb? Does it need frost free conditions?
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnstephen29 on December 15, 2014, 09:07:46 PM
Hi Paul I'll have to keep my eyes peeled on your shop :)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: ArnoldT on December 17, 2014, 01:41:17 PM
Lachenalia viridiflora

A bit stretched out due to our low light levels.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Maggi Young on December 17, 2014, 02:47:29 PM
A magical colour!
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Paul Cumbleton on December 18, 2014, 01:12:52 PM
Does anyone water their winter-growing South African bulbs with hard (alkaline) tap water and if so does it work OK? I usually use rain water, but I would like to know if that is really necessary (I suspect it isn't).

Thanks
Paul
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: jshields on December 18, 2014, 01:30:02 PM
Watering with hard alkaline well water is my way.  When we got to where I had to decide  whether to spend several thousand dollars setting up a rain water collection system or not, after just paying alot more money for the greenhouse itself, I elected to go with the well water.  It works, at least for most things.  It is a pretty big greenhouse -- 2700 sq ft.  I grow mainly Clivia, Hippeastrum, and rain lilies in it.  They all seem to survive and bloom in spite of the lousy water quality.

Jim
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on December 18, 2014, 02:14:15 PM
Does anyone water their winter-growing South African bulbs with hard (alkaline) tap water and if so does it work OK? I usually use rain water, but I would like to know if that is really necessary (I suspect it isn't).

Thanks
Paul

Can't say I've noticed any difference between using rain or tap water, Paul, although our water isn't particularly hard. I have to say, the local tap water is excellent, in fact, I think water quality was one of the factors in our area becoming a centre for the textiles industry (for washing the raw wool).
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnstephen29 on December 18, 2014, 04:15:40 PM
Hi Paul I used hard tap water for my plants in the house including massonia, Clivia and haemanthus,  I haven't noticed a difference, all seem ok.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Darren on December 19, 2014, 11:44:09 AM
Does anyone water their winter-growing South African bulbs with hard (alkaline) tap water and if so does it work OK? I usually use rain water, but I would like to know if that is really necessary (I suspect it isn't).

Thanks
Paul

Can't speak from experience really Paul, as our tap water is not hard. I do use it (via a hose) for the first big watering in September but then do spot watering with rain water.

I suspect it won't hurt most of the SA bulbs but in my collection I do wonder about Babiana pygmaea and Geissorhiza radians - both of which show a tendency to be chlorotic or grow poorly unless I use some ericaceous compost in their mix. It might simply be that they respond positively to the extra humus and better water retention rather than pH though. The Geissorhiza is native to seasonally wet/marshy areas so this makes sense.

It may also depend on repotting frequency and if calcium salts build up in your substrate. Perhaps a good flush through with rainwater a couple of times a season would be a good idea?
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: YT on December 21, 2014, 02:51:20 PM
Massonia pygmaea, today :)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: WimB on December 21, 2014, 03:10:43 PM
Massonia pygmaea, today :)

A real stunner, Tatsuo!
Title: Re: South African Bulbs - seed source
Post by: Maggi Young on December 23, 2014, 11:48:39 AM
There has been some  comment heard that the McMasters are no longer selling S.A. seed - this is not the case.........

 Cameron McMaster has posted this message to Pacific Bulb Society members :
Source of South African bulb seed
Cameron McMaster

Hi

With reference to the correspondence regarding sources of South African bulb seed, we are still very active in this field.

Our new list will be available in January - please contact us for the new list. In the meantime here is list of fresh seed collected on my walks in the veld so far this spring.

Boophone disticha
Cyrthanthus smithii

Babiana patula
Babiana hirsuta
Gladiolus brevifolius
Gladiolus debilis
Gladiolus maculatus,
Gladiolus abbreviatus
Gladiolus floribundus
Gladiolus gracilis
Gladiolus liliaceus
Gladiolus patersoniae
Gladiolus virescens
Freesia alba
Freesia laxa
Freezia leichlinii
Freesia fucata
Hesperantha falcata
Ixia longituba
Melasphaerula ramosa
Moraea elegans
Moraea tripetala
Geissorhiza inflexa
Lapeirousia pyramidalis
Lapeirousia corymbosa
Romulea dichotoma
Lachenalia orchidioides
Lachenalia punctata
Lachenalia ensifolia
Lachenalia pusilla,
Massonia pygmaea, depressa, echinata, pustulata and
Daubenya zeyheri
Eucomis autumnalis
Eucomis comosa
Tulbaghia capensis, comminsii and dregeana and galpinii
Pauridia (Spiloxene) ovata

Kind regards

Cameron and Rhoda McMaster
African Bulbs
PO Box 26, Napier 7270
Tel: 028 423 3651
Fax: 086 679 33 86
Mobile: 082 774 2075
Email: africanbulbs@haznet.co.za
Website: http://www.africanbulbs.com/ (http://www.africanbulbs.com/)
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Mike Ireland on December 23, 2014, 01:38:57 PM
Help required, I have Massonia pusulata & echinata which have now finished flowering, from this point I am always a little unsure as to how much water
the plants will need & when to stop watering.  They are on a west facing window sill.  Suggestions very welcome.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Paul Cumbleton on December 23, 2014, 03:19:14 PM
Hi Mike,
These plants keep on actively growing right through the winter so will need watering through to the end of Spring or early summer. Then stop watering, when they show the first signs of yellowing leaves. They will then die down for a summer dormancy. Keep completely dry through the summer and start watering again in September.

As to how much to water now, it obviously will depend on your compost, the temperature etc, but as a general guide, they like a good amount of moisture right through the growing season and should not be allowed to completely dry out between waterings.

Paul
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: Mike Ireland on December 23, 2014, 03:28:50 PM
Thanks for that information Paul, I would have started to reduce watering a little too soon.

Mike
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on December 29, 2014, 05:07:27 PM
Lachenalia viridiflora, really wishing there was a bit more light about...
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: SJW on December 29, 2014, 05:08:34 PM
Massonia (Whiteheadia) bifolia.
Title: Re: South African Bulbs 2014
Post by: johnstephen29 on December 29, 2014, 05:11:56 PM
Great looking plant Steve
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