Bessera elegans

[johnw]

Several years ago Bessera had bulked up to several hundred bulbs. I lost them all by storing them improperly.  Unfortunately I can't remember what I did wrong.  Was I to store them dry in the trough they grew in or to dig them and store them dry and cold (5-8c) in a paper or plastic bag.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.

johnw  

[maggiepie]

Sorry I can't help.
Just googled  bessera elegans and it took me straight to Wisley Alpine Log
What a gorgeous flower, it reminds me of an aquilegia.
Am starting a new wishlist.

[Rogan]

Festive greetings to all   

I find Bessera very easy to grow - I plant them in spring as I would any bulb, in a well-drained spot in full sun or in a pot with some dappled shade during the hottest part of the day.

When they enter dormancy I store them in a paper bag until the next spring - that's it!

JohnW / Maggiepie, I have some small spare bulbs available - I'll have to check up on their condition first before promising anything as they should have been planted some time ago.

[maggiepie]

Thank you Rogan, I would like to try some if you find some you can spare.

[johnw]

Helen  -  I got my replacement Bessera bulbs at Halifax Seed.  They were from Holland in a plastic bag with tiny holes in it and a flashy picture label.  Twelve bulbs for $11.95.  If you send me a reminder in April I can pick up some for you if they get them again.

Rogan - Thanks for the advice. I think your method is the one I used that worked.  It was probably when I left them in the trough dry that I lost them.

johnw - -6c and rain tomorrow.

[Maggi Young]

Twelve bulbs for $11.95.

That seems a VERY good price.... don't get those sorts of bulbs , or prices, anywhere round here 

[maggiepie]

Thanks John, I wonder if they might be available at MacArthur's nursery in Moncton .

I will keep my eye out for them.
Maybe Costco might even get some.

[Paul T]

John,

I had a similar die-out two summers ago, and I am only just starting to get them back towards mature corms.  I am hoping to have a flower or two this summer, just to verify for sure that what I have coming back from tiny bulbs IS Bessera elegans and not something else that seeded into there.  I think that they had dark base to the tubular foliage? I also have had a small clump of leaves come up in my crocus garden (the one from the topic where I posted about it's construction) that looked like the same thing, so I am hoping that there was a bulb in my recycled potting mix that came up.  It was outside of the planted baskets, so it had to be in the recycled mix.... so fingers are crossed.  I adore the flowers on them, they always remind me of little satellite dishes, although a bit more garishly coloured! 

[Ezeiza]

Hi John:

              Alkaline drained soils, full sun all day long. Corms dry, dark and not necessarily cold while dormant in winter.


              Very long lived, but certainly not weeds!

Best regards
Alberto
 

     

[Eric Locke]

Thanks John, I wonder if they might be available at MacArthur's nursery in Moncton .

I will keep my eye out for them.
Maybe Costco might even get some.

Hi Maggiepie

These were sold by Wyevale garden centres very cheaply last year, but not sure about 2010.

Eric

[johnw]

Eric / Maggiepie

The Bessera locally will be $5.95 for 3 bulbs in the Spring.  I don't know why the number has gone from 12 to 3.

johnw

[Eric Locke]

Eric / Maggiepie

The Bessera locally will be $5.95 for 3 bulbs in the Spring.  I don't know why the number has gone from 12 to 3.

johnw

I think the garden centre price last year in the UK was around £3 for 5

Eric