May 2019 in the Southern Hemisphere

[Anthony Darby]

Yes, Cyclamen mirabile. I tried Feijoas once. Won't try them again, but then I don't like green kiwi fruit (aka Chinese gooseberry). Gold kiwis are nice though, and the ones with the red centre are even sweeter.

[t00lie]

Thanks t00lie!

 

Hi Maggi, Dave is right of course, being a Kiwi. Feijoa are apparently worship and revered in NZ, and I share their enthusiasm!

I tried Feijoas once. Won't try them again, but then I don't like green kiwi fruit (aka Chinese gooseberry). Gold kiwis are nice though, and the ones with the red centre are even sweeter.

Unfortunately I have a reaction to eating Feijoas ... swelling of the lips and throat so they are off my menu.

Still very mild here in the deep south with Brugmansia sanguinea still in flower and more to come. It's flowered in this pot for a number of years without any feeding but needs planted out.



 

[Parsla]

Gosh you did well with the fruit Jamus.
Ever so colourful 

..another crocus ... this time melantherus

[fermi de Sousa]

Although our King of the Crocus has been unimpressed by my crocus pics, I'll persist
1) We got this Crocus vitellinus from Hillview last year and it has produced its first flower this week.
2) Colchicum decaisnei - another purchase from the Last ever Hillview catalogue,
3) Crocus niveus which we got from a commercial source over 15 years ago and it still flowers most years!
4) Galanthus peshmenii - couldn't resist putting on another pic of these
5) Narcissus 'First Stanza'
cheers
fermi

[Jupiter]

Fermi I'm super impressed by your peshmenii from seed! Mine was pathetic this year, I didn't even bother to take a photo. It had one ugly, misshapen flower, but the leaves are coming now so all is not lost. I have flower buds on seed grown elwesii this year, for the first time ever! I hope they are different from their parent.

Speaking of growing from seed, did any of you place orders with Oron yet? I did.  

[Parsla]

Love the orange crocus Fermi.

Now the weather is turning blooms are few and far between.
I have forgotten the name of this tubular-flowered bulb.

Also, i need advice on these tiny seedlings of iris paradox atrata in their second year's growth. I can scarcely believe they survived their first year and would like to know whether to leave in  the10 cm seed pot for another year or pot into something grittier.

Many thanks, Jacqui.

[Jupiter]

Jacqui well done with the paradoxa! I would definitely repot them into sand and grit (no compost). Make a mix of half and half sand and grit, fill the pot 2/3 with this and plant the seedlings with the roots in the mix and pure grit around the rhizomes. Give them a good water to settle them in and then pop them in a bright, airy spot; as much sun as possible.

[Gail]

I have forgotten the name of this tubular-flowered bulb.

The cream form of Cyrtanthus mackenii, I think.
https://www.farmergracy.co.uk/products/cyrtanthus-mackenii-cream-white-bulbs-uk

Is it scented?

[Parsla]

Hi Gail,

Yes that’s it. I shall make a new label. Thank you.
I was impressed with your loropetalum identification. I would never have guessed it. So different to the chinensis.

Jamus thank you for your advice. I will put them on the north-facing wall near the two gorgeous oncos Otto gave me, which are flourishing but not yet flowering. I do hope this year.

I also thank leucogenes for his comments on my recent autumn foliage photos. I was ever so chuffed over the compliment.   

Well, rain has finally arrived. A week of showers predicted. It has been bone dry most of the year. The garden loves it.

[Parsla]

Gail,  oh goodness, you said lonicera.
Which I would not have guessed either.
I blame Monday morning idiocy.

[Anthony Darby]

One of my Paramongaia weberbaueri is flowering now. Alas, my other clone(?) seems to be much later this year.

[t00lie]

One of my Paramongaia weberbaueri is flowering now. Alas, my other clone(?) seems to be much later this year.

Wow !  what a flower Anthony. Stunning.

[David Lyttle]

Still very mild here in the deep south with Brugmansia sanguinea still in flower and more to come. It's flowered in this pot for a number of years without any feeding but needs planted out.

Raising triffids, Mr Toole. Once planted out they are impossible to contain or kill!