South African Bulbs 2014

[SJW]

Freesia elimensis, originally from Kirstenbosch seed (before the overseas distribution stopped). However, I see in the Plant List that it is classed as a synonym of Freesia caryophyllacea. The photos I've seen of Freesia caryophyllacea show flowers with much more yellow colouration than the plants I have, although perhaps it is a variable species in the wild. I have two clones from the original sowing (Darren to note!).

[ArnoldT]

Steve:

This is what I have as Freesia elimensis

[pehe]

I bought "flowering sized" bulbs of the red form on Ebay almost 5 months ago (from a South African nursery) but they have produced no root or top growth as yet.

Cheers,
Steve

My bulb was dormant for one and a half year after I bought it, so don't give up hope.

Poul

[Steve Garvie]

My bulb was dormant for one and a half year after I bought it, so don't give up hope.
Poul

Cheers Poul!

[SJW]

Steve:

This is what I have as Freesia elimensis

Thanks, Arnold. Yours look like the whiter of the two form I have, with pale purple markings on the back of the petals.

[Maggi Young]

Steve:

This is what I have as Freesia elimensis

Quite a different flower shape to those of Steve, eh?

[SJW]

Quite a different flower shape to those of Steve, eh?

Here's a photo from another angle.

[SJW]

Lachenalia haarlemensis - flower scape just emerging. I like the leaf markings on these.

[Maggi Young]

Here's a photo from another angle.

Thanks Steve

Lachenalia haarlemensis - flower scape just emerging. I like the leaf markings on these.

I think that's a new one on me - great shapes and markings

[Maggi Young]

I think that's a new one on me - great shapes and markings

Aha .... you did show the markings on the leaves last year - http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=9933.msg286462#msg286462 - my memory is getting worse.

[SJW]

Aha .... you did show the markings on the leaves last year - http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=9933.msg286462#msg286462 - my memory is getting worse.

So's mine, I'd forgotten I'd posted that! Interesting to see how the plants have developed since October.

[SJW]

Thanks Steve
I think that's a new one on me - great shapes and markings

While photographing the pot I noticed a flower bud emerging a short distance away from one of the bulbs, which seems odd - I've never seen that in Lachenalias. Some species are stoloniferous, but producing a flowering stalk? It'll be interesting to see what's been happening under the surface when I repot this summer.

[lettuce begin]

A few pictures from Wisley Alpine House.
Lachenalia zeyheri and Lanchenalia aloides var vanzyliae.
Hope the spelling is correct can't read my own writing lol.

[lettuce begin]

Opps Lachenalia zeyheri

[fermi de Sousa]

A few pictures from Wisley Alpine House.
...Lanchenalia aloides var vanzyliae.

That's a lovely thing, Cheryl; thanks for posting the pic.

The annual appearance of Crossyne flava has snuck up on me this year and I first saw them a few days ago already in full bloom.
Chris B. asked for seed and there'll be a few hundred available I'd say! Let me know if you still want them.
The white Belladonna Lilies (Amaryllis belladonna cultivars) are now flowering nicely,
cheers
fermi