Calochortus 2016

[fermi de Sousa]

I was very excited to see flower buds on the Calochortus I'd raised from seed sown in 2011 as C. nuttallii (I'd posted a pic of the bulbs last year http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=13103.0)
However when the first flowers opened they obviously weren't!
These appear to be Calochortus luteus and C. superbus and possibly a hybrid between the two (maybe)
Missed any further flowers as we were away,
cheers
fermi

[Robert]

Fermi,

I remember the posting of the dormant bulbs. I think I was hoping for Calochortus nuttallii too. C. nuttallii is one of several species that I have not had much luck with in the garden (yet). I was hoping you might have the some clues to successful cultivation.

Where the range of Calochortus luteus and C. superbus overlap there is, or can be, introgression and hybridization. This certainly appears to be the case in the plants pictured. They are still very attractive and seem to be worth keeping as long as you have room for them.

[fermi de Sousa]

Hi Robert,
yes, they are attractive and I certainly won't be ditching them
I would've liked to have been growing the real C. nuttallii as a "new" species to increase the range in our garden,
cheers
fermi

[fermi de Sousa]

Another one in flower now: Calochortus argillosus, grown from Seedex seed a number of years ago and planted out in a raised bed
cheers
fermi

[Robert]

Fermi,

Calochortus argillosus is certainly a gem.

Now that we are based in Sacramento, their native habitat is only 1 hour away. My grandfather farmed in the rich farmland that is bordered by the clay hills to the south where this species grows. I am so busy with projects.... but with some good fortune I can check on them this spring. Generally I think of Calochortus argillosus as having a central red spot surrounded by pale yellow. There are other Calochortus species that grow in this vicinity. Hybrids and introgression are, of coarse, possible. I certainly would like to look into this. I'll never get bored! I would very much like to update my personal observations of this species. If there is time for this outing and the timing is right I will certainly share photographs.

Most of our Calochortus have poked the tips of their leaves above ground. I'm out of town for 3 weeks... and the slugs are on the move.     Same with the Themidaceae. I found a pink and white color break on Dichelostemma capitatum a few springs ago. I went back to tag and photograph it. Deer ate the top off and I could not find the plant. Stuff happens.