January 2010 in the Southern Hemisphere

[Lesley Cox]

Now, it is expected that NZ doctors will flock across the Tasman in even greater numbers than before because the Aust govt has lifted a restriction by which NZ doctors weren't eligible for some pension scheme unless they worked in the outback towns. Now they are.

[Diane Whitehead]

Well, Lesley, there's always the citrus-growing areas north of Auckland.

[Paul T]

Bill,

Yes, I grow Proiphys cunninghamii and Proiphys amboinensis (both from here in Aus).  I have never flowered either as yet though, so have not been able to confirm identities for certain.  I have definitely admired them at the Botanic Gardens here in Canberra though, as Maggi mentioned in her link.

[Rogan]

The Tigridias are flowering    what better way to celebrate the summer months?

[Sinchets]

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.

Now I'm not sure if it is  still there, but there used to be a 'alpine house' in one of the parks across from the General Hospital in Aberdeen- if memory serves me well it was also growing in there.

[Paul T]

Rogan,

Yours are well ahead of mine..... I hope that mine are still going to flower for me this year?  I rather like both those yellows you show..... I had a similar yellow with red bowl in the past but the pot turned up empty this year.    I have almost exactly the same tow but in white, not yellow.  I also have a few seedlings coming along from a UK friend from assorted mixed colours, so hopefully something like yours will appear.  I would love to get yellows, pinks, and anything interesting in colour combinations from them, so fingers are well and truly crossed.  They are just the coolest flowers.  

[ranunculus]

If my memory serves me right (which would be quite a memorable first), a fine plant of Myosotidium hortensia was seen growing in the lovely garden of Dr. John Good in North Wales.

[galahad]

The Gladiolus hybrids are starting to make a show

Bluet, Priscilla, Glory B, Hradec Kralove

[Rogan]

"I would love to get yellows, pinks, and anything interesting in colour combinations from them, so fingers are well and truly crossed."

I will have to set some seed on my plants then too...

I also had a plain white Tigridia for a time, but it hated my climate and slowly dwindled to nothing 

Here's a lovely unspotted red form that's not particularly strong in my garden - hope it doesn't fade away too soon:

[Paul T]

Rogan,

The plain white (has a few greenish markings only) is not strong here either, but the white with the red bowl (i.e the same as your yellow with the red bowl, but white) does well here and sets seed if I let it.  I must check they're coming up though, as I don't recall their leaves as yet.

[Stephen Vella]

Hi Paul,

I too have a range of Tigrida here from pure colours to spotted.

I had seperated the pure yellows, whites and pinks and would dig them up  every 3rd year as they would increase, theyre very vigorous here and seem to like fresh ground. The patches that havnt been dug up dwindle with less flowering.

I have a nice dark red spotted...just never enough room for these guys.

If you want any bulbs remind me...must post some picks soon as the buds are swelling.
cheers

[Paul T]

Stephen,

Yes, I am very interested, although with your collection I doubt there is anything I have to trade for them.

[Maggi Young]

We have grown Myosotidium hortensia in ther past but never so successfully as Harold McBride in Lisburn.
 )
simon, you are recalling the lovely alpine house ( as WAS    ) in the Victoria Park.... now a sad ghost of things past. 

[Maggi Young]

Rogan..... loving that colour red. So cheering in our cold snowy world, where the brief sun is fading.... hope it is the brightest of days for your Birthday! Cheers,
 Maggi

[daveyp1970]

Rogan i love tigrida its not a genus i grow but that will soon be remedied,its good to have your posts again there hasn't been any for a while.