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Author Topic: Green monster!  (Read 1913 times)

Rogan

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Green monster!
« on: April 23, 2009, 03:36:25 PM »
My green monster, Hippeastrum calyptratum, is filling the greenhouse with the stench of old plastic once again . I grew this plant from seed quite a few years ago and it produces four flowers for me to enjoy annually - weird but certainly wonderful.
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Rogan Roth, near Swellendam, Western Cape, SA
Warm temperate climate - zone 10-ish

mark smyth

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Re: Green monster!
« Reply #1 on: April 23, 2009, 06:08:37 PM »
It looks very interesting. How big is it?
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Antrim, Northern Ireland Z8
www.snowdropinfo.com / www.marksgardenplants.com / www.saveourswifts.co.uk

When the swifts arrive empty the green house

All photos taken with a Canon 900T and 230

Paul T

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Re: Green monster!
« Reply #2 on: April 24, 2009, 04:31:48 AM »
Rogan,

Very cool!  I was given a bulb of this by a friend last year..... had no idea it was quite that shape.  Different (and therefore generally interesting to me.  ;D)

Thanks for sharing.  8)
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Cheers.

Paul T.
Canberra, Australia.
Min winter temp -8 or -9°C. Max summer temp 40°C. Thankfully, maybe once or twice a year only.

Rogan

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Re: Green monster!
« Reply #3 on: April 24, 2009, 08:35:50 AM »
"It looks very interesting. How big is it?"

A very rough guess: 150mm long by 100-125mm wide - I'll measure it accurately for you this weekend.

This species has been used in breeding new cultivars before, I suppose to introduce greenish flowers to its progeny, however I much prefer the species as it is as I think destroying its unique structure and colouration through hybridisation is a crime.

This is a more "frontal" view of the flower:
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Rogan Roth, near Swellendam, Western Cape, SA
Warm temperate climate - zone 10-ish

Maggi Young

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Re: Green monster!
« Reply #4 on: April 24, 2009, 10:55:14 AM »
I have a distinct liking for green flowers and this is a bosker!  8)
I am kind of puzzled, though, by the description ofthe scent as being that of "old plastic" ..... this has caused me to spend two days  wandering around, sniffing all sorts of plastic objects, to see if I can pin down just what this scent might be.... so far I have no firm conclusions..... perhaps none of my plastic is old enough :P ???
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Margaret Young in Aberdeen, North East Scotland Zone 7 -ish!

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Rogan

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Re: Green monster!
« Reply #5 on: April 24, 2009, 03:45:30 PM »
There is a variety of plastic in this country that auto-destructs, i.e. falls to pieces after a number of years. Before it does so it releases quite a strong smell (...and probably nasty chemicals as well!) that is difficult to describe but quite distinctive -  :P H. calyptratum has a similar smell but not quite as strong nor as repulsive - apparently bats are attracted to the flowers in nature where the plants grow on trees in the Atlantic forests.
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Rogan Roth, near Swellendam, Western Cape, SA
Warm temperate climate - zone 10-ish

mark smyth

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Re: Green monster!
« Reply #6 on: April 24, 2009, 07:15:35 PM »
The whole plant I meant to say
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Antrim, Northern Ireland Z8
www.snowdropinfo.com / www.marksgardenplants.com / www.saveourswifts.co.uk

When the swifts arrive empty the green house

All photos taken with a Canon 900T and 230

Renate Brinkers

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Re: Green monster!
« Reply #7 on: July 23, 2009, 11:11:27 PM »
Rogan,

wonderful pictures of H.calyptratum. I am waiting for flowers of mine but I didnīt know that they have such a smell.
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Best wishes,
Renate
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