The plant world of Patagonia

[Leucogenes]

Sisyrinchium humile in the Alpine House:

Hello Rudi

Sisyrinchium humile is now flowering in my garden too. However, it is in my rock garden all year round without any protection. So it seems to be immune to heat and winter wetness (?)... at least the picture doesn't show anything contrary...😉

[Leucogenes]

...the same applies to Sisyrinchium laetum, by the way. No protection...only loving care...😂

[ruweiss]

Thomas, thank you for your pictures and your report. It is good to know about the hardiness of the
2 Sisyrinchium species and I will try it in my garden.

[Leucogenes]

Patience is sometimes rewarded...first flower on Solenomelus segethii ...four years after sowing.

[fermi de Sousa]

Our mate, Dave Toole, is presenting a talk on Central Patagonia by zoom for the Alpine Garden Society Victorian Group (Australia) on Saturday May 28th at 2pm Australian Eastern Standard Time (5am in Scotland!).
This is a free event and can be accessed through https://eventbrite.com.au/e/central-patagonia-land-of-fire-and-ice-tickets-346475516597
cheers
fermi

[ashley]

Dave's talk and photos were excellent.  Look out for the recording if Fermi can make it available.

[Leucogenes]

In February 2019 I sowed Rhodophiala araucana.... Today a flower appeared. If there is anyone who knows the best about the life cycle of this species, I would be very grateful for any information. Especially the watering would be interesting for me.

Cheers
Thomas

[ashley]

Thomas, could this be Habranthus tubispathus.

[Leucogenes]

Thomas, could this be Habranthus tubispathus.

Hi Ashley

Wonderful to hear from you...it's been a very long time...;-)

I think you are absolutely right...after some quick research on the internet, it might actually be Habranthus tubispathus. Although there are also some pictures of Rhodophiala araucana on the net that resemble my flower and I got the seed under that name....

Thank you so much for the correction...great.

[ashley]

Great to hear from you too Thomas

It's hard to be certain from the photos but seems likely.  Unfortunately H. tubispathus is a common imposter (see e.g. here), especially in the seed exchanges.

[Robert]

Hi Thomas,

For whatever it is worth, Habranthus tubispathus is weedy in containers in our Sacramento garden. As Ashley pointed out, I too have had this species turn up as an imposter grown from seed labeled as Rhodophiala from a seed exchange.



I grew this Rhodophiala montana from seed acquired from a seed exchange. It has been extremely easy to grow. It does not seem fussy about water as long as the soil drains well. I know very little about this Genus and I sure would like to learn more. Perhaps some Forumists can share some of their in depth knowledge on this Genus?

[Leucogenes]

Hi Ashley & Robert

A thousand thanks for pointing out that they are often Habranthus tubispathus when using the service of a seed exchange. I got the seeds from a good friend who probably got them that way.

This is one of the reasons why I hardly participate in seed exchanges any more. I prefer personal exchanges with friends...if only for emotional reasons. I think a long time ago we already had the pleasure in this respect.

It is probably a general "problem" with seed exchanges that sometimes something completely different emerges than desired. I don't know how many times I tried Silene hookeri, for example.... each time it was a different seed. I don't want to accuse anyone of malicious intent.

In my case, however, I am not at all disappointed...because I find this Habranthus tubispathus very lovely.

Robert

Your Rhodophiala montana is truly enchanting.... my admiration. But the accompanying plant on the left also makes my heart beat faster. The foliage looks very decorative. What is it?

Thomas

[hamparstum]

 Hello everyone, I tried initially to find your Noid amaryllid, since here in my patch of Patagonia, Rhodophiala elwesii grows wild and sets seed. After looking for the Genus, to my dismay the genus Rhodophiala is no longer so. It has been superseded into Zephyrantes. Following that, my R.elwesii has been superseded into Zephyrantes gilliesiana. So this last name is what grows here. It is different from your picture. Apparently from my original botanical books, my local species is restricted to around the Nahuel Huapi lake. The spathes are pale yellow closer to Robert's R.montana=Z.montana. In bloom they keep a cup shaped form never opening the tips. They resemble a fluted glass.
If interested I can send you, Thomas, seeds of my species. It has a huge underground bulb very difficult to relocate ( why?). It requires deep sandy soil. The bulb grows very deep. About 25 cm deep the apex. It blooms in October and it dries up by Christmas. It first, late September, throws up a few (3/4) flat 5mm wide, but up to 25 cm long, thick leaves and then the bloom stalk appears.

Arturo