South African Bulbs/Geophytes 2017

[ashley]

Thanks Arnold.  What do you think of David's argument that this conflicts with ICN rules?

[ArnoldT]

Ashley:

I was aware that some of his merging of Polyxena into Lachenalia would be controversial.

I've seen this before with other plants.  I can't for the life of me understand how two plants I grow are now in the same genus.  The Chinese quince (Psuedocydonia) and the Japanese quince (Chaenomeles).

Quite different plants but they are both now in Chaenomeles.

This as we say is beyond my pay grade.

[fermi de Sousa]

Moraea is another genus which has had an amalgamation in "recent" years
Here are Moraea cedarmontana and Moraea herrei (syn Barnardiella spiralis)
cheers
fermi

[angie]

Like the Moraea cedarmontana, looks so fresh.

Angie 

[Paul Cumbleton]

Some recently flowered bulbs: Daubenya comata (the most flowers I have yet had on one of these) and two Oxalis, O. massoniana & O. perdicaria 'Citrino' (the former is South African, the latter South American). Also the fruits (berries) of Gethyllis gerardii.

Paul

[Steve Garvie]

Very nice Paul!

[angie]

Really lovely , must be a delight at this time of year in your greenhouse 

Angie

[Graeme]

I am really taken with those oxalis - will they manage in a cold alpine house?

[Paul Cumbleton]

Hi Graeme,
Yes, these two particular Oxalis should be fine in a cold greenhouse. Many alpine growers have these amongst their alpines, with no heat, and they often make appearances at the shows. There are so many other very fine Oxalis species too which should be more widely grown. Some of these may be not quite so hardy but I think many would be fine in a cold glasshouse with a bit if fleece over on cold nights.

Paul

[YT]

Lachenalia corymbosa and L. pygmaea

[arilnut]

I bought this from Telos rare bulbs as daubenya aurea but doesn't look correct.
Paul can you ID it?

[Steve Garvie]

John compare it with Paul’s image of Daubenya comata above -I think your plant is a younger version. But best to get Paul’s opinion.

[Paul Cumbleton]

I bought this from Telos rare bulbs as daubenya aurea but doesn't look correct.
Paul can you ID it?

John, my best guess from your picture is that it is a young plant of Lachenalia pygmaea (formerly Polyxena pygmaea). As the flowers age more the tepals should curve back to become strongly reflexed.

Paul

[ArnoldT]

My guess as well.  Lachenalia pygmaea

I've had an incorrect bulb from Diane and she has always corrected the error.  She's a small one person operation.

[Graeme]

Hi Graeme,
Yes, these two particular Oxalis should be fine in a cold greenhouse. Many alpine growers have these amongst their alpines, with no heat, and they often make appearances at the shows. There are so many other very fine Oxalis species too which should be more widely grown. Some of these may be not quite so hardy but I think many would be fine in a cold glasshouse with a bit if fleece over on cold nights.

Paul

thanks Paul - having looked at the weekend I do have the cream one - but its not flowered - so I need to give it some attention

Does it have a yellow form as well? as it looks like I had two from Potterton and Martin a long time ago

I just need to track down the orange one

I realised I have too may oxalis ..........