Zephyra elegans

[Paul Cumbleton]

In previous years my Zephyra elegans has only ever produced a modest number of flowers, but this year is doing much better. Sorry for the messy background but I did not want to move the pot for a proper photo. Next to it is Placea arzae - I have put a close up of this in the Amaryllidacae section (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=15356.0)

Paul

[Maggi Young]

My word, that's like a Tecophilaea  leichtlinii on stilts!  Gorgeous.

[Paul Cumbleton]

Maggi, it's in the Tecophilaeaceae family so perhaps not surprising. I love it as it is, but imagine if there were also one that was as blue as the type species! Sadly that's just a dream.

Paul

[Gail]

Did you grow this from seed Paul and if so how long to flower? I'm asking because I've just unearthed a packet of Zephyra compacta seed from my biscuit tin of stuff that should have been sown years ago....

[Paul Cumbleton]

Gail, Yes I grew the Zephyra from seed. It was sown in 2002 and first flowered in 2008, so six years from seed to flower.

Paul

[Gail]

Thanks Paul - my seed duly sown...

[Laurent B]

Hello Paul,
Your photo of Zephyra elegans is beautiful.
As it was said before, it's like a big tecophilaea cyanocrocus leichtlinii and i love their colours so much !!!
I would like to know where I could find seeds or plants of Zephyra elegans  if you know it.
Thanks for the information.

[Paul Cumbleton]

http://www.chileflora.com sometimes sell seed of Zephyra elegans and I have in the past shared seed when I had it. But guess what - the bulbs in my picture have not come back into growth this year, so I am fearful they may be dead; if I am lucky they are just taking a season off. I will need to tip out the pot to see, but won't do that until the summer. Fortunately I do have seedlings from my own seed coming along, but it will be years before they get to flowering size.

Paul

[Laurent B]

Hello Paul,
First, thanks for your answer.
I'm sorry for you that your Zephyra didn't grow this year and I hope for you it just stayed dormant for this year.
I've just bought seeds on the chileflora site and I would be grateful to you if you could share your experience of Zephyra Elegans seedlings and give me advices in order to have the best results with mine.
(Excuse me for the approximative English, but I'm french and I didn't practice from the time I was at school).
Thanks

[Paul Cumbleton]

Hi Laurent,
After I sowed and watered my seed I kept it warm for 2 weeks in our house and then put it in a fridge (it is a cold germinater). The seedlings emerged while still in the fridge and I then moved them into my glasshouse (which is just frost-free). They are now growing well.

Hope this helps a little
Paul

[Laurent B]

Hello Paul,
Thanks for your informations.
I'm going to receive my seeds about the begining of march and I think it's too late for this season if the sowing time is like tecophilaea, in september or october.
Can you tell me when  you usually sow your seeds of Zephyra ?

[Paul Cumbleton]

Hi Laurent,
I agree with you that March is too late - the plants are naturally winter-growing so seed is best sown in the autumn or early winter.

Paul