January 2010 in the Southern Hemisphere

[Tecophilaea King]

Bill, your gloriosas in different colour forms are wonderful - I've only seen the "standard" one here! Do they come true from seed?
Strangely enough the only "allowed" species on ICON is listed as "G. lutea"!!

fermi, I am not 100% sure about the various species or other colour forms/hybrids coming true from seed, but with us most of them flowered true, with minor variations, (and visits by the bee population) which is sometimes most welcome.
Anyway, when they all set seed, you're most welcome to try some, but will have to send them as allowed species on your ICON G.lutea which of course is now classified under G.superba.  Confusing!!??  We'll have to organise something later.

[Tecophilaea King]

Hi Bill,the Kew register is saying that G rothschildiana is not a form of G superba,
and that it is G rigidifolia? Hope I have understood it correctly. bye Ray

Ray, I am not sure what the Kew register says about the genus Gloriosa and the species.
There seem to be a certain amount of confusion regarding the classification of this genus.
Some synonyms, arising from the many variations, for Gloriosa superba include G. rothschildiana (or G. superba ‘Rothschildiana’), G. simplex, G. virescens, G. abyssinica, G. carsonii, G. minor, G. lutea, G. baudii.
Blame the botanists, they keep chopping and changing botanical names continuously.

[Lesley Cox]

I don't know Myosotis hortensis as such, but I suspect it may be one of those which seed around hideously and can never be eradicated. I have avoided such forget-me-nots like the plague and will continue to do so. Others will have better information about M. hortensis. I would doubt if it has much similarity to M. capitata though.

[Lesley Cox]

Lesley,
Myosotis capitata is allowed on ICON so I hope you can spare some seeds when you get some!
cheers
fermi

Will do Fermi.

[angie]

Thanks Lesley, will give it a miss.
Angie

[ranunculus]

I think Angie is referring to Myosotidium hortensia, Lesley ... the very beautiful and highly desirable megaherb, the Chatham Island Forget-me-not.   Seed of this gorgeous giant should be cherished and nurtured.  It does, of course, resemble an enormous Myosotis capitata because it is dark blue with large forget-me-not flowers.

[Tecophilaea King]

Another interesting bulb flowering at the moment is the rare Proiphys cunninghamii commonly called the Brisbane Lily or Moreton Bay Lily and is the only species endemic to Australia. It has dark green heart-shaped leaves and produces fragrant, white flowers in umbel-like clusters on long stems. It occurs naturally on the north coast of New South Wales and in south-eastern Queensland in lightly shaded conditions in the rainforest or forest bordering the rainforest.
Paul and fermi do you know this beauiful speces?

[Lesley Cox]

I think Angie is referring to Myosotidium hortensia, Lesley ... the very beautiful and highly desirable megaherb, the Chatham Island Forget-me-not.   Seed of this gorgeous giant should be cherished and nurtured.  It does, of course, resemble an enormous Myosotis capitata because it is dark blue with large forget-me-not flowers.

Of course she is Cliff. So pleased you stepped in there and yes, M. hortensia is a very special and gorgeous thing. It is far too big for a pot or alpine house though Angie. You'd need to try it outside and it may not be hardy with you. It does (did?) grow to perfection at Inverewe though. Have I a picture somewhere? Yes, I have. The leaves alone are stunning.

[Lesley Cox]

Another interesting bulb flowering at the moment is the rare Proiphys cunninghamii commonly called the Brisbane Lily or Moreton Bay Lily

Wasn't there a thread about this lovely plant somewhere on the Forum? I seem to remember everyone getting very excited about it.

[Maggi Young]

Yes, Lesley, here: http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=2141.0  ...where there is also a link to a page of Paul's ANBG thread with another pic....

[Diane Whitehead]

M. hortensia is a very special and gorgeous thing. It is far too big for a pot

The only one I have seen was flowering in Oregon in an oak half barrel.

[angie]

Lesley thanks for the picture, it is lovely, what a shame it grows that big, still I might give it a try. My husband laughs at me he said wouldn't it be easier to move down south than try and grow all these tender plants I told him I would but we are at the age we aren't wanted anymore .
Angie

[Tecophilaea King]

Yes, Lesley, here: http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=2141.0  ...where there is also a link to a page of Paul's ANBG thread with another pic....

Thanks Maggi for that info, always interesting to hear of other people growing this beautiful plant.

[Lesley Cox]

I know the feeling Angie. I sometimes think I'd like to go and live near my Australian friends but I'm too old and too poor for their govt to want me except for a short holiday.

[Diane Whitehead]

Well, when I was there, out in the country towns, nurses on holiday
were being begged to do a shift or two.