Grown old awaiting a flower

[johnw]

John  - So I assume it tooleafs out in the autumn an d  is in full leaf all through the winter.  I don't think that cyclke wiould fly here where the cold stays around for so long despite Z6.  We also lack your blistering heat and humidity.


Jim  - Do you grow L. radiata v. radiata outdoors?




john

[arilnut]

That is correct John.  I could send you a couple bulbs to try.  I think it
would do fine with you.  Back when I was young in Nebraska zone 5 they
grew there for mom.

John B

[jshields]

Jim  - Do you grow L. radiata v. radiata outdoors?

john

I tried to grow radiata v. radiata outdoors here in the woodland garden.  It survived for quite a few years, and during that time it flowered twice.  That was early on.  Eventually, it stopped flowering in the autumn and put up fewer leaves.  Finally, it simply disappeared.

Once burned, twice wise:  I planted radiata v. pumila up against the wall outside the greenhouse.  It never bloomed there, and also eventually disappeared.  So much for wisdom....

I can heartily recommend LL. chinensis, longituba, x-caldwellii, and sprengeri outdoors in the garden in USDA zone 5.  Mine do great here.  Also, several hybrids involving radiata (presumably v. pumila) and the hardy species do well here, surviving and blooming.

Jim

[johnw]

That is correct John.  I could send you a couple bulbs to try.  I think it
would do fine with you.  Back when I was young in Nebraska zone 5 they
grew there for mom. John B

John  - Thanks so much for the offer but that would require a phyto.  If you have a few seeds to spare that would be great but time is running out if they take another 40 years! ; )


johnw - coldest night to date +2c, 5c now.

[johnw]

I can heartily recommend LL. chinensis, longituba, x-caldwellii, and sprengeri outdoors in the garden in USDA zone 5.  Mine do great here.  Also, several hybrids involving radiata (presumably v. pumila) and the hardy species do well here, surviving and blooming.Jim

I have much the same experience with L. squamigera, the bulbs shrink and fade up, even ones in pots come up too early and then die down after a few weeks.  I often wonder if the bulbs come infect with nematodes.


The species you mention would be worth a try but I never see a seed source for  them.


johnw