South African Bulbs/Geophytes 2018

[fermi de Sousa]

Not quite in flower but already developing their "tip-knots",  Eucomis vandermerwei.
Raised from seed of E. m.'Octopus'
cheers
fermi

[ArnoldT]

Here's some details of an unopened Lachenalia bifolia.

Interesting designs on the flower stem.

[brianw]

I grow various Eucomis including Pole-evansii and Eucomis-vandermerwei and several probable hybrids. The larger varieties are in the garden or pots outside, the vandermerwei under cold glass. I get no seed on the latter and some seed on the others. As most have what I think of as unpleasant scent is it flies that pollinate them? I don't recall seeing anything else on them. Maybe my pole-evansii seed now is a cross with the hybrids too. Are any self fertile? Some of my original garden hybrids were from seed that "fell off" a plant in a garden centre many years ago. ;-) Never collected the "Sparkling Burgundy" seed. It just falls on the garden, but have not noticed any self sown plants.

[ArnoldT]

some sunny days finally.

Lachenalia bifolia

[ArnoldT]

Full color now.

Lachenalia bifolia.

A very big flowering stalk.  At least 8-10 inches high.

Close up

[Chris Johnson]

Full color now.

Lachenalia bifolia.

A very big flowering stalk.  At least 8-10 inches high.

Close up

A nice plant Arnold, with good stem markings.

[fermi de Sousa]

Not quite in flower but already developing their "tip-knots",  Eucomis vandermerwei.
Raised from seed of E. m.'Octopus'

Now in flower, Eucomis vandermerwei ex 'Octopus'
cheers
fermi

[ArnoldT]

Thank you Chris.

I have to give some credit to another forum member, Rimmer,  who suggested I run some supplemental lights during daylight hours.

The plant is taller and more robust than in any previous years.

[Rimmer de Vries]

Massonia (Napier) from McMaster seed started 24 months ago.
Is this M depressa or M pustulata?

[Rimmer de Vries]

Wurmbea stricta has been flowering for a week in a cold garage in Kentucky.
Second photo taken 6Feb2018

[Paul Cumbleton]

Rimmer, Your plant is the true Massonia pustulata  (most plants in cultivation with M. pustulata on the label are now correctly called M. longipes)

Paul

[johnralphcarpenter]

Moraea elegans.

[ArnoldT]

Gladiolus grisues.

Found in the Western Cape almost always within sight of the ocean or not very far from it.   Grows in calcareous sands or limestone.

Flowers in the early part of the season, May through June, in local habitat and pollinated by the honey bee.

[Diane Whitehead]

Gladiolus griseus is threatened - there are an estimated 250 left in the wild.

[Rimmer de Vries]

Othonna cakilifolia in bloom