March 2008 in the Southern Hemisphere

[fermi de Sousa]

As Paul has mentioned, we've finally had some rain for the beginning of "real" autumn and rainlilies are showing off again.
First, here's the lovely pink Zephyranthes hybrid "Grandjax" (which I originally got from another Aussie Forumist, Ray Mills!



I think it's a cross between "Ajax" and Z. grandiflora.

Then the pinkish form of Habranthus tubispathus


And Habranthus martinezii


cheers
fermi

[David Nicholson]

Lovely stuff Fermi, I do like the rainlilies.

[annew]

The apricot coloured one is especially lovely.

[Lesley Cox]

Yesterday I went on a (very expensive) visit to Hokonui Alpines near Gore and among many other things bought a pot of Zephranthes flavescens. I give this name a little cautiously as I off-loaded most of my plants at Susan More's house and will introduce them to my place when Roger's away from home. Anyway, the Zephranthes could be flavissima or something similar. It's smallish, with fine foliage and stem and a wide-open flower of deep golden yellow, a gorgeous thing. There was only one in flower which I left so Louise could get a photo of it and, silly me, I hadn't taken my own camera.

[Ezeiza]

Hi Fermi and Lesley:

Fermi, the one in your image of H. "martinezi" is not that species, but just another form of tubispathus. Please look at the "ostrich feather" shaped stigma arms, that are typical of tubispathus in all its color forms and not present in any other habranthus and zephyranthes. This can be clearly seen in your image. If you want the real thing send me your adress as fresh seeds are ready.

Lesley, Zephyranthes flavissima is an partly aquatic species, extinct in the wild. Except in summer, the plants gre in the wild in flooded ground in rive banks with some 10-20 cm of water permanently. You need a dish or something shallow with water to place the pot on. The species is a subtropical one and increases freely by offsets.

As for the admittedly short period of flowering of Rainlilies, this is not true in warm climates for plants growing in the ground or really large containers. We have many of them in 20 litre containers and their flowering season lasts from one to three whole months. This is a kind of bulb where the bonsai effect is particularly harmful. When we had our collection in 16 cm pots, they produced a single flush of flowers per year and that was all. But, they changed their behavious completely when moved to big containers.

Best regards 

[Lesley Cox]

Lesley, Zephyranthes flavissima is an partly aquatic species, extinct in the wild. Except in summer, the plants gre in the wild in flooded ground in rive banks with some 10-20 cm of water permanently. You need a dish or something shallow with water to place the pot on. The species is a subtropical one and increases freely by offsets.

Oh heck, and I was about to plant it on my hot, dry bank. Thanks for this information. If subtropical, maybe I should give it some frost protection too?

[Ezeiza]

Dear Lesley:

Although it would probably not freeze outside it will merely linger on, as opposed to thriving if given warm conditions.

I must add that it is evergreen, not losing the foliage even when it is dormant in summer.

Regards

[Paul T]

Lesley,

This species is really pretty when in flower, but I must admit that I do get an occasional flush rather than growing them to perfection.  Mine are in small pots, so I might move them to larger pots, but they get treated just the same as everything else in pots and don't get extra watering or cold protection.  Interesting to hear that they are partially aquatic..... might see about moving mine to somewhere where I can water them more regularly.  Still, they will do reasonably without ideal conditions, but as Alberto says they won't "thrive".

[Lesley Cox]

Thank you both. I'll try for something warmer over the winter. I wonder if inside my kitchen would do, in a shallow bowl of water? I'll also pass along the information to my supplier, thanks.

[Ezeiza]

Dear Lesley:

Are you familiar with USDA zones? If so, the plant comes from a zone 10 region in full sun in shallow river banks.

A greenhouse? A sunny window facing north? It will not die if grown under cooler conditions but you know, there is this difference between a happy plant and a ghost......

Best

[Paul T]

But... sometimes somewhere in between teh two is perfectly acceptable.  If we only grew plants that were in their perfect conditions then we'd never bother to try anything new, and have a fraction of what we try to grow now.  If you only grow stuff that you know is in perfect conditions then to me you aren't really trying the full scope of possibilities!! 

[t00lie]

Lesley i obtained a plant of  Z. flavissima over 12 months ago ,(from the same source as your recent purchase) ,and have kept it in its original pot .

I also treat it the same as Paul --ie no winter protection or additional watering.It survives okay and has increased in size but hasn't flowered this season which i put down to a lack of food/shady conditions.I'll also experiment with repotting and increased moisture levels..


In your slightly warmer climes ,(than mine), i'm pretty sure it will survive outside.

Cheers dave.


 

[Ezeiza]

Hi Toolie:

The no flowering is product of the difference between zones 8 and 10.

Regards

[Lesley Cox]

I'd expect Louise at Gore (from whom I bought it) would be in Zone 8 as well. Not sure. Certainly she has more frost, snow and general cold than I do (in Zone 9) but also more rain so it's likely she could grow it better than I anyway. We'll see. I'm sure it will be hardy here; it's just whether it will flower well. Time will tell and I'll post pics in due course. Thanks for so much advice about one small species.

[Susan]

Don't forget I am still holding it hostage, so it might have to survive above the snow line.

Susan