Lachenalia carnosa seed advice

[meanie]

I recently got seed for Lachenalia carnosa and was looking for a little advice if possible.

I'm led to believe that germination is straightforward enough, but my question is when should I sow them? Should I wait until the end of summer which is more in line with their natural growing season, or could they be sown now? If we have a proper summer I will struggle to keep them on the cool side, but a summer like last years would pose no problems(?).

I know it sounds like a dumb question, but all advice appreciated.

[ArnoldT]

It's hard to determine where you are.

I would pot up in your fall season.

[Paul Cumbleton]

Yes, it is usual to sow Lachenalia in the fall (autumn) - about September in the northern hemisphere.

Cheers
Paul

[Darren]

Agree with Arnold and Paul.

Here in the northern UK I sow all my Cape bulb seed in very late summer / early autumn. Generally the weekend nearest the 20th of August as its my birthday and easy to remember. Where summers are very hot (mine are not) then I'd wait a couple of weeks longer - a period with warm days and cool nights is what is wanted. Paul at Wisley undoubtedly gets warmer summers than me and it makes sense he waits until September.

Stored seed of Lachenalia should be fine at room temperature for a year at least.  I know lots of people sow seed as soon as they get it, no matter what it is, but I find losses much lower if I keep bulb seed dry until the right time for it to germinate - If it germinates now it may not have time to build a big enough bulb to survive a hot dry summer. Don't store the seed in the fridge either - some bulb seed needs a 'ripening' period after being shed from the capsule. I don't know if this applies to Lachenalia but I would not chance it.

[meanie]

Forgive me for being a plonk - I'm in Oxford.

I'll follow the advice and sow at the end of August. It would be good to sow now before I forget/lose them though!

Thanks to all for your replies.