Calochortus emerging

[Alex]

A bit of advice if anyone can help...

I have got hold of a few Calochortus this year, and started watering most of them in September (a bit early, I know now). One of them (C. fimbriatus aka C. weedii var. vestus) has sent up a shoot - thin but healthy-looking. This seems highly unseasonal, perhaps if I had held off the watering for longer....nonetheless, now it's started, does anyone have any advice for managing these early starts? My default plan was just to keep watering and hope for an extra long growing season!

Cheers,

Alex

[Lesley Cox]

That's probably best Alex, being careful not to OVER water, but judging from your junos, frits etc, I'd say you have everything under control.

[Darren]

Hi Alex,

I know the usual advice is to withold water until later but I've been starting mine in early september with my other bulbs for years now without any trouble. They do pop up early (my albus, amabilis and obispoensis have been visible since late september, simulans, tolmei and luteus just appearing now) but it doesn't seem to cause any problems. I agree with Lesley - you grow frits and junos far better than I can and I promise that Calochortus are mostly much easier!

[Ezeiza]

Very many bulbs in cultivation once "tamed" decide to sprout far earlier than "normal". Some of them (Cape) having a very long season of growth.

[Alex]

Thank you all for this very helpful advice.

As far as the Junos etc. go, you know I only show the good ones! A lot of the rest is distinctly unimpressive....

[angie]

Hi Alex,
They do pop up early (my albus, amabilis and obispoensis have been visible since late september, simulans, tolmei and luteus just appearing now) but it doesn't seem to cause any problems. I agree with Lesley - you grow frits and junos far better than I can and I promise that Calochortus are mostly much easier!

Darren we will be seeing some lovely flowers from you soon, looking forward to this.

Angie

[Darren]

Not sure I've ever actually posted on a Calochortus thread Angie. I don't grow many (the list above is pretty much it these days). I find some very easy (amabilis) and some, which are supposed to be easy, rather more difficult (luteus).

[angie]

Not sure I've ever actually posted on a Calochortus thread Angie. I don't grow many (the list above is pretty much it these days). I find some very easy (amabilis) and some, which are supposed to be easy, rather more difficult (luteus).

For sure I need to start with the easiest, but that's not always the way with me. The things that I really want are probally the most difficult. This is what I like about this forum I think to myself if the experts struggle what hope do I have so I won't buy the plant.

Angie