LEUCOCORYNE

[Jean-Patrick AGIER]

Hello,
I'm beginning to start an interest in LEUCOCORYNE. Last year I've planted some bulbs in a container together with convolvulus sabatius, dwarf irises and narcissus. They flowered in blue tones ( think it was L. coquimbinsis but I'm not sure... ). As they are not hardy maybe they won't reappear next spring. I've sown seeds from the exchange and plan to plant some other bulbs in pots. Does anybody know about their cultivation requierements? Are they easy to grow from seed? Or would it be better to acquire bulbs?
Are there specialized nurseries in the UK? I've tried to contact Choice Landscape Nurseries but they don't answer to letters nor to e-mails...I've seen so many nice photos on the internet: these plants seem to have a great flower colour range.
Many thanks

[Rogan]

I speak with little authority here as I have only been growing this genus for a few years.

I sow mine in a very gritty / sandy mixture with approximately 20 - 30% organic material added (composted fir bark). If the seed is fresh germination is normally very good and the seedlings grow quite rapidly. As many species originate from the dry semi-desert areas of western South America, I sow my seeds in autumn and treat the plants as I would any bulb originating from the Mediterranean countries, i.e. on a winter-growing cycle. I feed and water nominally allowing a slight drying-out of the medium between watering episodes. I suspend watering when the foliage starts to die down in spring. I cannot comment on their hardiness as my winter is very mild in comparison to that experienced in most of Europe and North America.

Thus far I've had good success with several species and am about to try a few more. A good / reliable source of seed is "Chileflora" (Michail Belov) who market their extensive collection of seed on Ebay: http://stores.ebay.com/Chileflora-Chilean-seeds_W0QQsspagenameZADMEQ3aBQ3aEOIBSAQ3aUSQ3a45QQtZkm

I would be interested to hear of your success.

[Giles]

Leucocoryne vittata (Wisley)

[Jean-Patrick AGIER]

Hi Giles,
What an extraordinary photo...I wish I had this species... I'm just beginning with seeds of other leucocoryne but it'll take quite a long time to see the flowers...
Thanks for posting it.

[Giles]

Something that stunning just had to have its photograph taken!

re. Choice Landscapes: they are definitely alive and well, and attend the AGS shows. They have had delays in getting their on-line catalogue up, and
as far as I know do not have a current paper catalogue. I usually telephone them with queries, and have no problems.

The ' (Wisley) ' bit, was to indicate that it was photographed at the Royal Horticultural Society's Garden at Wisley  - it's not mine
I wasn't sure if you had heard of the garden before - it's well worth a visit. Look for the Wisley Diary on the main SRGC website to see what they grow - they have alot of bulbs!

[Paul T]

The colouration of L. vittata is jsut amazing isn't it?  Most years mine flower and each time I am amazed by the intricacy of the markings.  Then something like L. purpurea flowers and that blows me away as well (purple with a red throat).  Totally dormant still here in the southern hemisphere.  I also grow a white and a couple of other "hybrid" types.  They will survive on total neglect, but flower better with occasional repotting and fertilising.  Mine really need more attention to do their thing properly.    Unfortunately that applies to a lot of things in my collection. 

[Jean-Patrick AGIER]

Hello,
Just a few thin leaves by now from the pot where the new bulbs are. I've found pics of the plants which flowered last year. Leucocoryne Ixioides may be...