Grrrrrr.......... Dierama Drama!

[Giles]

Fir Tree Pelargoniums specialise in Dierama,(in addition to pelargoniums).
I've had stuff from them before without any problems.
They will be at the Hampton Court Show - so you could ask them to bring plants for you.
Giles

[Paul T]

John,

I can send you some corms if you want to try shifting them over hemisphere.  The clump of my purple one is around a foot across at the base, so there should be plenty in there to spare some.  I'd need to lift out a reasonable clump as they really do not like to be stripped down to just one or two.... they can sulk for quite a while if done that way.  I know the UK isn't too stressed where bulbs are concerned quarantine-wise, but what about something like that, which is going to contact leaf material etc?

I'm at work now so can't post a pic, but I can do so this evening if you're wanting to see it.  Quite happy to send you some of the plant itself, but figure you may want to verify from the picture that it isn't just another pink. 

[KentGardener]

Hi All

thank you so much for all the helpful suggestions.  Can anyone spot an email address on the Fir Trees website?  I have been looking and looking but can't see one.

Paul - if you could post a picture that would be great - I shall give it marks on it degree of pinkness!...       I am used to them sulking for a while as I have always only ever started with single bulbs on the 3 occasions that I have grown them to Pink flowering size.

regards

John

[arisaema]

The email address

[Paul T]

John,

I think this pic shows the fresher flower as pinker than it really is.  The older flower is fairly accurate I think, but don't have them outside to check at the moment or anything (they flower here around December/January).  Given I don't think it is quite right, I'm not sure how much use it is to you for judging colour.  As to others..... I have white, pink, "red" and this purple, as well as a smaller pink type.

[KentGardener]

Me trying to save money still....... (and a bit fed up after growing on yet another seed raised one that is PINK!).  I'm still very much on the look out for a confirmed DARK flower.....

Can anyone spare a bulb?.........      please...       pretty please    please please please please please

Jx

[Tony Willis]

John

is 'Merlin' dark enough because if so I can spare a bulb.It has flowered and is correct

[Graham Catlow]

Hi John,
Is this what you are looking for?
I could collect seed or let you have a corm later in the season.

Merlin

Graham

[TheOnionMan]

Ooh, Merlin really is magical, isn't it?  Dramatic coloring!  What sort of hardiness can one expect with Dierema?

[Graham Catlow]

Ooh, Merlin really is magical, isn't it?  Dramatic coloring!  What sort of hardiness can one expect with Dierema?

Hi Mark,
We had a really harsh winter this year (well harsh for Edinburgh). Temperatures down to -13C for a few weeks. Solid ground.
Mine are in an exposed site in my garden.
There are others in gardens in the area that were not affected either.

Hope this helps.

Graham

[Maggi Young]

I don't think there is much doubt that the Dieramas are pretty tough as regards withstanding the cold but they can be pretty fussy, wanting about a free-draining soil and hating to be too dry in summer - you'd have a problem with that last requirement, I fear, McMark.

[TheOnionMan]

I don't think there is much doubt that the Dieramas are pretty tough as regards withstanding the cold but they can be pretty fussy, wanting about a free-draining soil and hating to be too dry in summer - you'd have a problem with that last requirement, I fear, McMark.

Possibly so Maggi, but then again one sometimes gets lucky.  I just posted about a moisture loving plant, Gentiana clausa alba, that hasn't batted an eye at the heat and drought this year.  http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=5964.msg164868#msg164868
It would be worth giving these a try at least, I love the nodding form on these lovelies (even the pink ones ).

Luit's small red-flowered Dierama igneum is to die for... looks like Allium narcissiflorum hallucinating.

[loes]

I tried a few Dieramas in the past but lost them all.
not for the cold in winter but I think it is too wet in winter in my ,sandy,soil. they are so beautiful

[Maggi Young]

Yes, McMark.... it might well be worth a try.
They do take time to establish but I think it is worth the wait... they look so lovely , especially near water.

Loes, your experience bears out my thoughts on the problem of too much water in the soil, especially in winter.

 I've no space for them here ( the Bulb Despot tells me!   ) 

[Tony Willis]

Ooh, Merlin really is magical, isn't it?  Dramatic coloring!  What sort of hardiness can one expect with Dierema?

Hi Mark,
We had a really harsh winter this year (well harsh for Edinburgh). Temperatures down to -13C for a few weeks. Solid ground.
Mine are in an exposed site in my garden.
There are others in gardens in the area that were not affected either.
Hope this helps.

Graham

We only got to about -7 but my dierama's were decimated,large clumps were left with just a few shoots but are recovering. It is very wet here.