Ornithogalum

[Armin]

Simon,
this is quite sad. It seems to be a general tribute to high-end stock farming    
Either to use the soft gras for silage purposes or simply too early mowing giving annual flower plants no chance for replication.

The glib consequences - monoculture meadows.
Sadly, almost everywhere the same...

[Sinchets]

Not quite so bad here as in western Europe. The meadows are full of wild flowers all year, but are cut for the winter hay just when the Ornithogalum stalks are up. The grass is then left to grow again and is grazed in late summer- which means it is short enough for the Colchicum to make a fantastic display in September. We enjoy it while we can as I am sure things will change so that everything follows standard EU farming policy 

[Alessandro.marinello]

Ornithogalum convallarioides,Madagascar

[Paul T]

Alessandro,

Different, isn't it.  Such broad leaves and quite different flowers to the usual Ornithogalums.  Thanks for showing us.

[Ezeiza]

Hi Armin:

             When you write "my meadow", is that both Ornithogalums are growing wild or is it an artificial meadow?

[Renate Brinkers]

Hi to all,
nice to see so much different Ornithogalum species.
 I got seed of a  O.dubium, yellow from South Africa 4 years before. Last year the first one flowered and this year all of them are flowering. They are really easy. I grow it in a greenhouse, dry and frostfree in winter. In spring, when the first leaves emerge I start watering and in June the floweres emerge.

[Paul T]

Renate,

Depending how cold you get in winter, they certainly don't need to remain frost free.  Mine here are evergreen, and they take to -8'c or so even in small pots without a problem, flowering profusely every year.  I am only mentioning this in that it might be worthwhile some trying them outside and conserving inside space for those things that really need it. 

[Renate Brinkers]

Paul,

thanks a lot. I will try it outside because you are right: There is never enough space for those which need it really.
Since some years I grow Ornithogalum candicans, formerly Galtonia candicans, outside with big succes. The first buds are developing now, earlier than the years before and now I will try the O.dubium also.

[Paul T]

Renate,

Worth at least experimenting with.  I could harvest some seed for you from mine this year if you don't have success, as mine are at least stock that DO tolerate the cold.

[Renate Brinkers]

Paul,

thanks a lot, good to know. I planted some at a good place - I will see what happens.

[Sinchets]

Well I certainly could believe it wasn't butter, but Galtonia candicans being an Ornithogalum  Is there a reason does for this- does anyone know?

[Lesley Cox]

Even unsalted butter? (See Cooks' Corner). I am horrified to learn that Galtonia candicans is now Ornithogalum candicans. Does this apply too, to the other Galtonia species?

[Alessandro.marinello]

Ornithogalum longibracteatum
today in flower

[Renate Brinkers]

Lesley,
as I know all Galtonia species are now Ornithogalum, unfortunately I do not know why but the botanists don´t decide only looking for the habitus than me.

[Lesley Cox]

Thank you Renate. I think it is sad as while there are fome brilliant Ornithogalums, there are also some that are miserable and weedly whereas all the Galtonias are elegant and well worth growing among larger herbaceous plants. Now (if we don't already know them) we have to distinguish which may be good and which to avoid.