South African Bulbs 2016

[johnralphcarpenter]

Very nice, Darren. How can you tell its not a Massonia?

[Darren]

A good question Ralph.

Nothing scientific but the short stamens down inside the flower tube just doesn't look very Massonia to me.

[Paul Cumbleton]

Another couple of distinguishing features that are easily observable are that 1. In Massonia the bracts of the flowers are large and leafy whereas in Polyxena (Lachenalia) they are inconspicuous and 2. The fruits containing the seeds are three-angled or three-winged while in Polyxena the fruit shapes are simple ovoids or oblongs.

Paul

[Darren]

Another couple of distinguishing features that are easily observable are that 1. In Massonia the bracts of the flowers are large and leafy whereas in Polyxena (Lachenalia) they are inconspicuous and 2. The fruits containing the seeds are three-angled or three-winged while in Polyxena the fruit shapes are simple ovoids or oblongs.

Paul

Thank you for that Paul, I was struggling to work out obvious differences. Sometimes you just seem to know what a plant is or isn't but can't say why!

Bracts are certainly inconspicuous. First year of flowering so I have not observed fruits yet. Anyway, according to the Lachenalia monograph, both the locality and the habitat (doleritic clay soils) stated in the seed list are consistent with L. ensifolia ssp maughanii

[Rogan]

Wherever I go I make sure I take a few Sandersonia aurantiaca bulbs with me; they are very rewarding to grow if you give them a cool protected spot out of the wind - last year mine got blown to pieces in their new home... In SA we call them Christmas Bells as they flower at the height of summer - X-mas in the southern hemisphere.

[angie]

This came as seed from the final Penrock seeds list in 2012. It was listed as 'Massonia sp' from a small scattered colony on Hantamsberg. It appears to be actually Polyxena (Lachenalia) maughanii. However - it is by far the best, most compact, form of this I've grown. I usually find that ensifolia/maughanii get very drawn up due to our poor light in November, with flowers squeezed between two upright leaves. This one remains very flat. Second picture has my thumb for scale

Really lovely Darren.

Angie 

[Darren]

Thank you Angie - and nice to hear from you 

[fermi de Sousa]

Before we went on holidays this Gladiolus opened its first flowers:
Gladiolus miniatus, NZAGS seedex sown 29-07-2012,
cheers
fermi

[fermi de Sousa]

I posted pics of this gladdie a couple of years ago; it was grown from seed from NARGS Seedex as G. permeabilis but I think it might be Gladiolus wilsonii (though I stand to be corrected)
cheers
fermi

[fermi de Sousa]

I didn't get a chance to post these pics last month:
1,2 ) Ixia polystachya
3,4,5 ) Ixia rouxii
cheers
fermi

[fermi de Sousa]

Some of the Ixia 'Teal' seedlings from last month:
1) Ixia 'Teal' and hybrid seedlings;
2) pink seedling;
3) pale blue with large purple centre;
4) pale blue with blue centre and yellow centre;
5) almost white, purple centre,
cheers
fermi

[fermi de Sousa]

To me the most exciting seedlings are the ones that look very close to Ixia viridiflora which I presume was a parent of 'Teal'
cheers
fermi

[Robert]

Fermi,

The Teal seedlings are fantastic.

We have a large selection of seedlings coming on that should bloom this spring.    Perhaps they will be just as interesting. I will share photographs when they bloom. I do have some I. viridiflora coming on too. A back cross with I. viridiflora seems in order. As you say, "most exciting".   

A batch of Ixia rouxii bloomed for us last year and the plants are even stronger this year. Too much chaos when they bloomed. 

Anyway, thank you for sharing.

[Maggi Young]

fermi - if you are trying to make be swoon with envy  with those photos, I have to tell you you are succeeding! 

[Matt T]

Isn't that colour the most incredible thing!! Love it.