South African Bulbs 2014

[johnw]

Cyrtanthus brachyscyphus is a flowering machine.  While it really never stops flowering at this time of year the new stalks come up with great rapidity.  And when it sets seed it sets them seriously.  It likes to be very wet except in the dead of winter.

johnw
21c

[Maggi Young]

It looks as good in fruit as it did in flower. What (who?) is pollinating it John? 

[johnw]

Immaculate conception.

[johnw]

I've checked the usual SA seed suppliers for more spp. of Cyrtanthus but I only see 3 listed.  Any other sources about?

johnw

[johnstephen29]

The clematis has romped away Maggi, i cut it down in the spring to give the other plants a bit more breathing space. It came back with avengence, your right though it does make a good combination.

[SJW]

I've checked the usual SA seed suppliers for more spp. of Cyrtanthus but I only see 3 listed.  Any other sources about?

John - there were three species listed in last year's SRGC seed exchange so perhaps there'll be others this year? 

[johnw]

Thanks Steve  - I think I donated one and ordered the other two, Cyrtanthus elatus and Cyrtanthus mackenii.

Looking for seed of flanaganii, obliqua, epiphyticus and falcatus.  Telos is out as well.

johnw

[Peter Maguire]

I've checked the usual SA seed suppliers for more spp. of Cyrtanthus but I only see 3 listed.  Any other sources about?

I see that this firm: www.africaseeds.com list five species: breviflorus, contractus, epiphyticus, flanaganii and mackenii. I've not bought from them yet.
www.exotic-plants.de list the last three species and are very prompt in sending orders out.

Thanks for pointing out that brachyscyphus likes to be kept wet. I think I've kept mine too dry as it flowers (and seeds), but doesn't bulk up.

[SJW]

I've checked the usual SA seed suppliers for more spp. of Cyrtanthus but I only see 3 listed.  Any other sources about?
johnw

John - while Gordon Summerfield doesn't list any Cyrtanthus on his seedlist, I've found him very helpful and he may be able to help source what you want, or at least point you in the right direction? Just a thought.

[johnw]

Thanks to everyone for the recommendations.

johnw

[johnw]

Peter  -  I often fill the saucer with water if the next day promises to be dry and windy.  Thinking back I guess I am not so liberal with the water if the plant shows signs of losing leaves in abundance.  Having said that a bout of heavy watering seems to spark a fresh round of growth which I try to avoid from mid December till early February when light is poor and flower stalks could stretch and flop.  Nevertheless once the clump reaches beyond the 5" pot stage it is very forgiving. For years I would let it dry between waterings and it grew very slowly and I thought it was difficult, when they went from a 5" to a 10" pot they exploded.  Now it needs a much bigger pot or a radical division. 

Three or four years ago Rogan sent me seed of C. contractus and it has been very slow or I have been very cautious with the water.  Still in a 3" deep, I'm taking not chances!

johnw

[Peter Maguire]

Hmm.....

Mine are definitely grown in the wrong conditions - in a clay pot, plunged in sand alongside 'Mediterranean'-style bulbs. They seem to be thriving in spite of my best efforts. 

[SJW]

Prepare to be underwhelmed...Rhadamanthus platyphyllus (Drimia platyphylla) in all its flowering glory! The bulb is relatively large given the small size of the flowers and stalk (3"/8cm), the leaf has already died back for the summer.

And here's the developing seed pods. There's just one plant so it must be self-fertile and pollinates easily because I didn't do so by hand. I'll send the seed to the seedex.

[ArnoldT]

Two summer blooming Eucomis.

Eucomis Van der Merwei

Eucomis Comosa

[fermi de Sousa]

Romulea flava, grown from NZAGS I think,
cheers
fermi