South American Bulbs 2016

[Chris Johnson]

Ok, found yours Mark. They do seem to have some variability, but I get the overall feeling. I will rename mine as straight Tecophilaea cyanocrocus.

[Roma]

I got this as Tecophilea cyanocrocus 'Leichtlinii'.  Maybe a bit more white in the throat than Chris's one but nearer the species than the variety.  I also bought 3 corms of the species but they have all split and do not look likely to flower this year.

[Chris Johnson]

I got this as Tecophilea cyanocrocus 'Leichtlinii'.  Maybe a bit more white in the throat than Chris's one but nearer the species than the variety.  I also bought 3 corms of the species but they have all split and do not look likely to flower this year.

Hi Roma

Now mine have aged a bit they look rather similar to yours. I think Mark is right - they are the species.

I will send you a PM regarding the nursery supplier. They are well respected and I don't want to draw adverse publicity here.

[YT]

Tristagma leichtlinii, Fern and Watson 5485

[Chris Johnson]

Tristagma leichtlinii, Fern and Watson 5485

That is an attractive plants, Tatsuo. How long do they take to flower from seed? - I have some 2 year old seedlings.

Edit:
I note Ian featured this plant in Bulb Log 16 - if you're looking in Ian, can you tell me how long yours took from seed. Your conditions will be similar to mine.

[YT]

Hello Chris,
I got this cute plants as bulbs from a kind formist several years ago.
They started to flower from next season.
Sorry for I can't help you.

[Ian Y]

First few flowers in year three  most flowered in year four.

[Roma]

Tecophilaea cyanocrocus ? 'Leichtlinii'
I've no experience of growing these so do not know if this is true 'Leichtlinii'  the straight species or an intermediate.

[Mark Griffiths]

Roma, I think it's the "straight species" - have a look on page one.

However when I saw the stuff about it's rediscovery in the wild it looks as if the typical form is more like 'Leichtlinii'

http://www.scielo.cl/scielo.php?pid=S0717-66432002000200004&script=sci_arttext&tlng=es

[Roma]

Thanks, Mark.  Interesting article.  Pity the photographs aren't clearer.

[Mark Griffiths]

Yes, it's pretty awful. Not been able to find anyhting better.

[Ian Y]

That's an interesting link Mark.

I have tried to find a precise definition that defines the difference between cyanocrocus and leichtlinii but as they are only varieties I do not think one exists.

We have a full range from some with almost no white in the throat to others that are almost all white, I will feature them again in a Bulb log when they open.

Roma I think the last one you show would fit into var leichtlinii.

[Maggi Young]

Reminds me of Ian's old article o the main website : http://www.srgc.org.uk/feature/ianyoung/tecoph.html   and there are numerous  pix of Tecos in the Bulb Log over the years - see the Index by Len Rhind 
http://www.srgc.org.uk/bulblog/index.pdf

[Chris Johnson]

First few flowers in year three  most flowered in year four.

Thanks Tatsuo and Ian.

Not too long to wait then.

[Mark Griffiths]

hmm..maybe I should see if I can find the true blue type plant. Seeing as both of my original bulbs came from different suppliers that might be a challenge. Any one care to supply the name of suppliers who have the completely blue form?

I see from Ian's article you grow them from seed. I've never suceeded although I often get a fair amount of seed. Wonder what I'm doing wrong?