South African Bulbs/Geophytes 2017

[Maggi Young]

Not all bulbs - but the nice folk from  Attadale Gardens (www.attadalegardens.com  )      - visiting Hermanus  in ZA  - ask if we can help them with some IDs -

No suggestions?

[GordonT]

I can't be sure, but I think photo 2 and photo 4 are Gazanias. The fourth photo looks to me like Gazania rigens var leucolaena. I think the third one might be Carpobrotus edulis (Hottentot Fig).All largely guesses on my part.

[Maggi Young]

Thanks Gordon!

[ArnoldT]

Two smaller Lachenalias.

Lachenalia juncifolia
Lachenalia mutablis

[Cfred72]

I have a little question. My Rhodohypoxis have spent the whole winter dry in the garage. (Cold without frost). From what time can I take them out to the garden or the greenhouse and water?
Ps, do you have a good mixing recipe for them? I do not find that they multiply as well as in some. I had put peat in the mixture (advised for acidity). For the rest, the usual mixture for well-drained bulbs (2 parts of grains, 1 part of clay garden soil, 1 part of leaf mold, I add bone powder to the mixture.

[fermi de Sousa]

Posted already on the Southern Hemisphere Thread:
Crossyne flava is now in bloom again - only 2 this year, but more than one means there will be plenty of seed. Does anyone who got seed from me at the last Czech Conference still have their plants? Let me know if you'd like me to bring some more seeds!
cheers
fermi

[Darren]

Another kind forumist got some of your seeds for me at the conference and the little ones are still doing well. Fascinating bristly leaves!

[Maggi Young]

For those in reach of Exbury Gardens in the  New Forest, near Beaulieu and only 20 minutes from junction 2 of the M27.

The Gardens postcode is SO45 1AZ.   

"Our  Lachenalia Exhibition is only on display for two weeks this year, so make sure to see them while you can!

http://buff.ly/2m9XcQH

[Cfred72]

I have a little question. My Rhodohypoxis have spent the whole winter dry in the garage. (Cold without frost). From what time can I take them out to the garden or the greenhouse and water?
Ps, do you have a good mixing recipe for them? I do not find that they multiply as well as in some. I had put peat in the mixture (advised for acidity). For the rest, the usual mixture for well-drained bulbs (2 parts of grains, 1 part of clay garden soil, 1 part of leaf mold, I add bone powder to the mixture.

No one to help me?

Maybe I did not post it in the right place?

[Paul Cumbleton]

Hi Frédéric,
I watered my Rhodohypoxis for the first time last week. They are currently in a glasshouse under the bench but as soon as any growth appears I will move them outside. I would only put them back in the glasshouse for overnight if a severe frost came. My mixing recipe is 2 parts soil, 1 part peat (or fine composted bark is also good instead) and 1 part grit. I do not add any fertiliser in the mix, but I do feed with liquid fertiliser regularly through the growing season, as well of course as ensuring they are always well watered - they like lots of water while growing.

In England is a nursery called Tale Valley Nursery who supply a lot of Rhodohypoxis. This is what they say about potting and watering: "Repotting is generally carried out in January or February with the first watering given in February, or more usually March, providing temperatures are not too low. Although much of the literature on Rhodohypoxis recommends acidic composts we have not found this to be absolutely essential, although pH of 6 to 6.5 is ideal. The compost should be relatively free draining which we achieve by adding from 25 - 40% coarse grit to the growing media." You can read the rest of their cultivation information here:www.talevalleynursery.co.uk/CultivationNote.shtml.

Some of my Rhodohypoxis are pictured below.

Paul

[Maggi Young]

No one to help me?

Maybe I did not post it in the right place?

 I felt I could not comment as we always leave it  so late to water ours that everyone else's Rhodohypoxis are  flowering  well while ours are still asleep!

[Cfred72]

Thank you Paul, I will try to get close to these tips.

[YT]

Ixia sp., from Silverhill Seeds #1381
Hesperantha vaginata, SS #1310 There were 2 flowers on a stalk but the lower flower got attacked by a bird (brown-eared bulbul, Hypsipetes amaurotis)

[Maggi Young]

Back on the subject of Lachenalia - Bill Squire in Dorset holds a National Plant Heritage of Lachenalia and these can be  seen by arrangement  in the next couple of weeks - details in first pic.

" It is said it is the biggest collection in Europe of these species. Viewing is open for around 2 more weeks before the flower season is over."

[ArnoldT]

Rimer:

Note lights on during the day!