Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
Bulbs => Bulbs General => Topic started by: fermi de Sousa on January 02, 2014, 06:55:03 AM
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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
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very nice Fermi, so delicate flowers ! are they difficult to grow ?
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Melasphaerula ramosa today, a prolific self-seeder in the polytunnel.
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More African than South African
Crytostephanus vansonii fruit
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Cyrtanthus mackenii
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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
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Gladiolus griseus
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Arnold thats really lovely, love the colour.
Angie :)
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very nice, how tall is that Arnold?
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Thanks you Angie.
Mark:
It stands about 29 inches tall.
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Pictures taken at Lyon's BG
I took the snapshots through the protecting glass but it seems quite good.
JP
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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.
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Darren:
# 3 is my favorite. The splashing of color is great.
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Very Sweet! #3 is my favorite too.
Robert
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# 3 is my favorite. The splashing of color is great.
Agreed, although they all look pretty good to me.
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And of course 3, sadly, is the one with the weakest constitution! It doesn't flower every year and has not increased vegetatively.
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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??
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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
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beautiful plants guys, Gladiolus is one of my favourite genus. Here Gladiolus priorii
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I prefer no 2!
lovely colour Rafa
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beautiful plants guys, Gladiolus is one of my favourite genus. Here Gladiolus priorii
- almost as beautiful as a daffodil! ;)
Gerd
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- almost as beautiful as a daffodil! ;)
Gerd
.... or a Crocus! ;)
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.... or a tulip!
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I'm saying nothing ;D
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Romulea tortuosa, from Silvehill seeds, today.
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Lachenalia reflexa
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Nice one, Arnold!
Lachenalia viridiflora, spotted leaf, from Shilverhill Seeds. Today.
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that's nice, lovely colour
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Romulea tetragona
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that's a lovely colour too!
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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.
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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.
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Tatsuo:
Thanks,
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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 :(
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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).
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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
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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 :)
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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.
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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!
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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!
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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?
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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 :)
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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 ?
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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.
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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".
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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!
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Romulea luteoflora from Silverhill Seeds :)
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very nice YT
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Chasmanthe floribunda Duckittii
Veltheimia bracteata
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Cyrtanthus Mackenii Var. cooperi.
Named after Mark McKen 1823-1872 horticulturalist and collector, first curator Durban Bot. Gardens.
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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.
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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 :)
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Gladiolus arcuatus, from Silverhill Seeds :)
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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.
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Very nice Tatsuo.
Is it scented?
Should have scent of apples.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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Lachenalia reflexa.
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Hesperantha vaginata, from Silverhill Seeds.
Gladiolus arcuatus, an odd flower. Yellow blotches on all tepals (normaly lower three).
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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
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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)
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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.
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Daubenya aurea is flowering now
Poul
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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)
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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
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A very light and a mid-pink Amaryllis belladonna lily,
cheers
fermi
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After many sunny days Romulea leipoldtii, Romulea spec.
Gladiolus tristis and Gladiolus liliaceus are in flower now.
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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
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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
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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!
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Lachenalia namaquensis
Lachenalia pallida
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Lachenalia namaquensis
Lachenalia pallida
Much earlier than mine, Arnold. Scapes on mine only just starting to come up...
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Steve:
Not entirely sure of the ID on L. namaquensis. Had a look at Duncan's book but the images are weak.
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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.
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Steve:
On first look yours looks good. Stamen are included.
Send along a image when it reaching full flowering.
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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!).
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Freesia viridis...not one that appears in anyone's top ten favourites, but I have learnt a new word (phalaenophily).
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Gladiolus watermeyeri just starting to bloom, sown in 2008
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Hesperantha vaginata
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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!).
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Steve:
This is what I have as Freesia elimensis
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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
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My bulb was dormant for one and a half year after I bought it, so don't give up hope.
Poul
Cheers Poul! 8)
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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.
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Steve:
This is what I have as Freesia elimensis
Quite a different flower shape to those of Steve, eh?
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Quite a different flower shape to those of Steve, eh?
Here's a photo from another angle.
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Lachenalia haarlemensis - flower scape just emerging. I like the leaf markings on these.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Opps Lachenalia zeyheri
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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
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Spiloxene canaliculata
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7149/13361228143_17eb430725_o.jpg)
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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.
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Moraea villosa, the first to flower this year.
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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! ::)
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lovely Morea!
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Really nice Michael 8)
Angie :)
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Lachenalia mathewsii
Named after Joseph William Mathews (1871-1949) First curator Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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In flower now
Moraea setifolia, Lachenalia orchioides and Veltheimia capensis
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Robert:
I think that's what happened. The better flowering plant was in the area that gets sun first thing in the morning.
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Arnold,
Thanks! :)
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Lachenalia pustulata blue form
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This is what has been sold as Brunsvbigia josephinae in these parts but is likely to be a hybrid,
cheers
fermi
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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 :)
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Lachenalai glaucina close-up--which is now formally Lachenalia orchioides subsp. glaucina
Lachenalia comptonii leaf detail showing trichomes
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I think this is Eucomis autumnalis
cheers
fermi
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Lachenalia vanzyliae - thanks, Darren.
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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...
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A later image of Lachenalia orchioides subsp. glaucina
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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...
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... 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.
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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.
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Ornithogalum ceresianum from seed
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Babiana rubrocyanea
Moraea setifolia
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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!
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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
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Moraea tulbagensis. x 3
Moraea villosa
Moraea aristata
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Great detail to be seen in these photos, Michael.
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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
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Moraea tulbagensis. x 3
Moraea villosa
Moraea aristata
Lovely! How do you grow them?
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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.
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Thanks Michael. I have some seedlings coming along, so appreciate advice on how to manage them.
Yours look magnificent.
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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.
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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.
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Moraea tulbagensis. x 3
Moraea villosa
Moraea aristata
wonderfull flowers Michael :)
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Warm weather here is pushing everything into flower.
Same here. Arnold.
Lachenalia namaquensis, one with a paler flower and leaf than the others.
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Lachenalia haarlemensis
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Two forms of Lachenalia pallida (since the reclassification). I'd previously grown them as L. pustulata and L. unicolor.
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Lots of sunshine and lots of flowers today.
Moraea aristata
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A very beautiful display of this lovely Moraea Michael!!!
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Moraea atropunctata
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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
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Hesperantha cucullata
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Scilla peruviana close-up
Lachenalia contaminata
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Very nice, but isn't Scilla peruviana a North African bulb?!
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JRC:
You're correct. Got a bit carried away after watching G. Bale dismantle Barca.
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Got a bit carried away after watching G. Bale dismantle Barca.
........and why not. ;D
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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!
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Oxalis palmifrons is producing a few blooms again this year.
And there are a couple more to follow,
cheers
fermi
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Two late blooming Lachenalia.
Lachenalia comptonii
Lachenalia orthopetala
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Lachenalia liliiflora.
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Arnold - You continue to amaze with that definitive Lachenalia species collection.
johnw
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John:
Thanks you but I have to admit the scented ones are by far my favorite.
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The Moraea polystachya cavalcade is just beginning - first flower yesterday!
cheers
fermi
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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.
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Some info John, from the Pacific Bulb Society (http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/Moraea)
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).
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Maggi,
Thank you so much for this information!
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Many thanks for the information Maggi,
exactly what I needed to know.
Cheers John.
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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.
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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
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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.
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Thanks for the information Fermi, Moraea Polystachya is one of the varieties of Moraea seed that I have sent for.
Cheers John.
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Lachenalia purpureo-caerulea. Similar to L. pustulata/pallida but not as strong growing (with me, anyway)
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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
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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
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My last Lachenalia to flower - young plants of L. peersii, not the showiest species but with a strong scent reminiscent of Dianthus.
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I've come across a flower of Dietes grandiflora in one of the glass houses at Lyon BG.
Here it is
JP
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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.
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I bought this Strumaria salteri a few eyars ago and it's now in flower,
cheers
fermi
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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...
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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]
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Moraea lurida.
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:) Geissorhiza inflexa
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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)
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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?
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Stunning, Steve. Wonderful image.
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Amazing!
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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Anomatheca laxa blue form
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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.
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@ 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.
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It looks very much like Joan Evans. I've thrown three pots out today, virused.
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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)
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Steve, that's extraordinary as looks what's in flower right now in our rock garden!
cheers
fermi
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Very nice!!!
Wish I could grow mine in a rockery!
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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
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Here is Gladiolus flanaganii - surprisingly easy in cultivation
(during winter inside)
Gerd
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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
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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
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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) .
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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?
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Paul thanks for letting us know that you are selling your spare bulbs on ebay :)
Angie :)
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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
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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)
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Watsonia angusta has put up multiple flower spikes this year.
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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!
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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
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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.
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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.
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Rather pretty little thing close up though, isn't it? (In a modest, understated way!)
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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)
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Eriospermum paradoxum unusually blooming at the end of spring.
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Very satisfying species blooms from May to October, but unfortunately I could not yet get the seeds.
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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.
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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
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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)
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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
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;D Thank you , fermi, very punny. ::)
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Fascinating!
;D
cheers
fermi
Very good!
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Fascinating!
;D
cheers
fermi
Excellent! And useful for anyone joining the forum to pick up the more unusual growing tips... :)
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Crocosmia Lucifer flowering at the moment, growing through a clematis.
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That's a pretty combination I hadn't thought of.
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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)
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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
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It looks as good in fruit as it did in flower. What (who?) is pollinating it John?
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Immaculate conception. ;)
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I've checked the usual SA seed suppliers for more spp. of Cyrtanthus but I only see 3 listed. Any other sources about?
johnw
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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.
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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?
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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
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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.
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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.
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Thanks to everyone for the recommendations.
johnw
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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
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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. :-\
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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.
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Two summer blooming Eucomis.
Eucomis Van der Merwei
Eucomis Comosa
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Romulea flava, grown from NZAGS I think,
cheers
fermi
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Lachenalia kliprandensis
cheers
fermi
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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
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Romulea sabulosa has started to flower but the weather hasn't been bright enough to get them all to open wide,
cheers
fermi
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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
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Lovely Jim - just the merest hint of pink in it, isn't there?
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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
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Crytostephanus vansonii
Pink is clearly visible and fruit are red.
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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
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All nice Fermi, lovely colour on the Hesperantha.
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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Does it live outside all year? Looks very good.
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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?
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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!
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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
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Romulea sabulosa is still flowering well!
As is Hesperantha pauciflora;
Lachenalia concordiana
Lachenalia bolusii
cheers
fermi
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very nice Fermi, how big are the flowers on the Romulea?
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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
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yes, that is huge!
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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
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very nice!
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Thanks, Mark.
Here's a better pic of Gladiolus gracilis and the first floret opened on Gladiolus tristis this morning,
cheers
fermi
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A couple of Lachenalias:
Lachenalia aloides "Green'
Lachenalia mutabilis
cheers
fermi
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A couple of geissorhiza,
Geissorhiza ornithogaloides x 2
Geissorhiza received as inflexa but probably aspera...maybe!
cheers
fermi
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You must have had a really good year this year Fermi, so much lovely stuff.
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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
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More from FCHS Spring Show:
Gladiolus uysiae
Posy of Lachenalia from Helene
George's Babiana vanzyliae
Gladiolus alatus
Potted Scadoxus
cheers
fermi
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Imagine having Lachenalias you are prepared to CUT!!!! What amazing displays.
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yes, an amazing display.
That Gladiolus alatus is very cool looking.
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For the first time, I got flower of Haemanthus unifoliatus, tiny flower, but colorful :)
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Haemanthus coccineus x albiflos
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Hi Arnold,
what a lovely hybrid - did you do the cross yourself? How long did it take to flower?
cheers
fermi
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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
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In flower this morning, two Bulbinellas:
Bulbinella cauda-felis
Bulbinella triquetra
cheers
fermi
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Fermides:
No I didn't perform the cross, it was done by another forumist and given to me as a gift.
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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)
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Amazing plants Steve.
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wow Steve!
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Haemanthus coccineus x coccineus
Reminds me so much of a sea anemone
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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!
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I don't want to get you going Maggi but to me the H. coccineus flower is more like marzipan.
johnw
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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
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I imagine one of those little clown fish snuggling around in the flower.
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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
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I got these Albuca spiralis as seed from NZAGS 2011 Seedex but didn't sow till 2012.
Just noticed buds already!
cheers
fermi
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Amaryllis belladonna x Cyrtanthus elatus. This is a cross I made 15 years ago and it is finally producing some decent flowers.
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Another triumph from Mr. Amazing ;D Lovely Michael.
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Wonderful Michael. How does it differ from A. belladonna itself? Size?
johnw
25mm of rain last night! We need another 150.
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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.
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Interesting Michael and I suppose flowering much more dependably than the cranky Amaryllis (in this climate).
johnw
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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.
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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? ::)
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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 :)
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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)
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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.
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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
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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
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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!
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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
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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. :(
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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?
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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.
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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!
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Must check out the garden centres for Boronia.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Lachenalia orchioides var glaucina is just coming into flower,
cheers
fermi
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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
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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!
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This Geissorhiza radians is one of the wildflowers known as wine-cups, I believe.
Grown from seed from Gordon Summerfield, 2010,
cheers
fermi
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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?
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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
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Fermi,
To date I haven't explored the idea of growing Geissorhiza species. Clearly it looks like it is worth my time!
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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
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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
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Moraea setifolia and Lachenalia orchioides var glaucina
Moraea setifolia close-up
Pelargonium triste & close-up
cheers
fermi
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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
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The 14 month old Massonia pustulata babies have finally shot up and appear to have bulked up a bit despite my "care".
johnw
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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.
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Another geissorhiza - this time in a lemony yellow with a dark centre:
Geissorhiza darlingensis from NZAGS 2011 Seedex;
That's a beauty Fermi.
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Thanks, David,
it's certainly eye-catching.
Here are some mixed ixias,
cheers
fermi
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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)
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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
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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.
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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)
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Helen:
Mine are pushing flower buds at this moment. Very early for me. Last year flowered at the end of November.
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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!
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Hello, Oxalis luteola 'Splash' MV7689 opened its first flowers this morning :)
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The Ixia viridiflora hybrid is quite sweet.
Robert,
more are flowering now,
cheers
fermi
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more ixia hybrids
cheers
fermi
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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.
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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
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wow, never seen a Nerine that colour - the Ixia hybrids are stunning too.
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Mark - The darkest one was a more complex cross - Nerine PS-09 ['David Lionel' x ('Bagdad' x 'Pantaloon')-25519a].
johnw
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That really is superb!
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Ralph - The colour is good but the truss is too loose.
johnw
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Those 1 year old Massonia pustulata seedlings have decided to do some serious growing.
johnw
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Unbelievably lovely Ixia hybrids there Fermi. :o
johnw
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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
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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
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I'm sure you'll keep at it, John ;D
Here's the first flowers of Gladiolus wilsonii
cheers
fermi
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Freesia fulcata
Early this year.
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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.
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Polyxena longituba grown from seed and flowering around the same time as last year.
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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
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Lovely massonia's Roma
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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.
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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
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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!
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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
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Flowers on Massonia echinata just starting to open, pustulata on its way.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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)).
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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
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It took me ages fermi, all done now thank goodness.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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 :)
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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)
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Veltheimia capensis
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Strumaria truncata
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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.
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Chasmanthe floribunda var. duckittii flowering outside. Will it survive the winter here?
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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
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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.
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Polyxena pygmaea
Lachenalia rubida, dark leaf form
Both are 1-2 weeks earlier than the usual here :)
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YT:
Your plants are so much more compact then mine. Out light levels are a real detriment to growing tight compact plants.
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Massonia pustulata in flower and Daubenya aurea in bud.
Poul
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Beautiful Massonia's Poul
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Beautiful Massonia's Poul
Yep, I second that 8)
Angie :)
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Two early flowering plants.
The Lachenalia punctata was Lachenalia rubida
and
The Lachenalia pygmaea was Polyxena pygmaea
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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
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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?
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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 :)
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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
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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
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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.
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Steve - I'll keep my fingers crossed. That is one sensational pustulata you show!
johnw
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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
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Wow, such a beauty.
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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
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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
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A sunny day today, Moraea polystachya and Romulea rosea open their first blossoms. Third picture Massonia depressa.
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blooming now inside basement under lights
Haemanthus paucufolius
Lachenalia virdiflora
Othonna sp?
Oxalis cathara
Strumaria tenella tenella
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Massonia -19 months from seed
do you think these will bloom this year?
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Third picture Massonia depressa.
I think it may actually be Massonia pustulata..?
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I think I mis-identified the previous Freesia fucata as "fulcata". This one popped up in a pot of Veltheimia.
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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?
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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.
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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.)
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Pustulata like people they get more bumpy as they age.
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Pustulata like people they get more bumpy as they age.
Then there's hope for warts & wens?
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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 :)
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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...
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Polyxena paucifolia 2 year-old seedlings :)
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very nice YT - are they scented?
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Lapierousa oreogena (Silverhill seed), blooming now,
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Lovely colour Rimmer.
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on my camera and screen the color is a bit too purple, in reality the color is more royal blue.
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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 ?
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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 ;)
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A lachenalia hybrid L. 'November Fantasia' has started to bloom 1 month earlier than the last season.
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Nectar pools gathering at the base of Massonia depressa flowers ready to entice its rodent pollinators.
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M. pustulata now in full flower.
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Here are my loved Daubenya zeyheri
:-)
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Here are my loved Daubenya zeyheri
:-)
Like Christmas decorations!
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Lovely plants Steve and Haemanthus, I must try growing some.
Chris
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Here are my loved Daubenya zeyheri
:-)
Fantastic colours!
Chris - Massonia are easy from seed, Daubenya less so (in my limited experience).
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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
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Hi Chris there were some massonia seeds being sold on eBay not so long back try there.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Hi steve I've taken a look at the website, it's not bad.
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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.
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Hi peter thanks for the advice, I'll do that.
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Today's Lachenalia viridiflora :)
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Today's Lachenalia viridiflora :)
Oh, WOW! That is a perfect potfull - I don't think we've seen better.
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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
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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 .
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Some initial confusion over the identity of these two, now identified as Massonia hirsuta, somewhat grazed by molluscs, and Massonia tenella,
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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...
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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.
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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. :)
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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
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Lapierousa oreogena (Silverhill seed), blooming now,
How easy or difficult is this bulb? Does it need frost free conditions?
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Hi Paul I'll have to keep my eyes peeled on your shop :)
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Lachenalia viridiflora
A bit stretched out due to our low light levels.
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A magical colour!
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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
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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
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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).
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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.
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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?
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Massonia pygmaea, today :)
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Massonia pygmaea, today :)
A real stunner, Tatsuo!
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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/)
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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.
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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
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Thanks for that information Paul, I would have started to reduce watering a little too soon.
Mike
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Lachenalia viridiflora, really wishing there was a bit more light about...
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Massonia (Whiteheadia) bifolia.
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Great looking plant Steve