South African bulbose plants 2007

[David Nicholson]

Thanks for clearing that up Diane. Now all I need to know is if anyone UK based is growing Lapeirousia oreogena?

[Lesley Cox]

I'd go for the glasshouse if I were you David, unless you can keep it on a patio or under the eaves somewhere.

[David Nicholson]

I'd go for the glasshouse if I were you David, unless you can keep it on a patio or under the eaves somewhere.

Thanks Lesley, I may buy a couple and keep one in the greenhouse and one on the patio and then compare.

[SueG]

David, have you seen the ones for sale on eBay? http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/exotic-plants-de/
Sue

[Paul Cumbleton]

Thanks for clearing that up Diane. Now all I need to know is if anyone UK based is growing Lapeirousia oreogena?

David,
A few people are growing Lapeirousia oreogena. There was one on display last year at a meeting of the South African Bulb Group, but I can't remember whose it was. I have this year sown seed of it, but only one has germinated - this is pretty much par for the course as many of the Lapeirousias are notoriously erratic about germinating. I would guess that hardiness for outside is untested but it should be OK under cold glass and definitely so under just frost-free conditions. It's a great shame they are so tricky to germinate as they are superb plants - especially oreogena!!

[David Nicholson]

David, have you seen the ones for sale on eBay? http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/exotic-plants-de/
Sue

Shows how old fashioned I am Sue I'm not used to EBay and couldn't find any Lapeirousia on your Link

[David Nicholson]

A few people are growing Lapeirousia oreogena. There was one on display last year at a meeting of the South African Bulb Group, but I can't remember whose it was. I have this year sown seed of it, but only one has germinated - this is pretty much par for the course as many of the Lapeirousias are notoriously erratic about germinating. I would guess that hardiness for outside is untested but it should be OK under cold glass and definitely so under just frost-free conditions. It's a great shame they are so tricky to germinate as they are superb plants - especially oreogena!!

Paul, thanks for that I will give it a try under my cold glass.

[ChrisB]

I don't know anything about germinating S African bulb seeds, but wonder if that smoke stuff the Wisley people showed on one of their logs recently might help?  Just a thought......

[Paul Cumbleton]

Chris, I did actually try the smoke treatment on the lapeirousias but it doesn't seem to have helped in this case. Graham Duncan from Kirstenbosch was visiting last week and he said that they have the same trouble with germination; he did also say that seed pots should be kept for two or three years as they tend to come up in ones and twos over a few years.

[ChrisB]

Wonder why we always seem to want to grow the most difficult plants.  If they came up like mustard and cress I wonder if we'd be as enthralled with them....

[Paul T]

Hmmmm... The Lapeirousia oreogena didn't have any problems germinating for me.  They were held dry until autumn as ( do with the majority of the South African winter growing seed) and they germinated just fine.  Maybe they're a species that isn't so difficult to germinate?  Maybe I was just lucky. 

[fermi de Sousa]

More South Africans in flower! Both ixias!
Ixia monadelpha growing in a sandbed and perhaps dwarfed because of this.


It should have more of a contrasting "eye" but it's still attractive,


The next one, Ixia rouxii, definitely has a contrasting centre! But appears a bit dirty due to the old flowers hanging on after discolouring, I think,




cheers
fermi

[mark smyth]

here it is David http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280065846353

[Cris]

Fermi, what a lovely Ixias. Is the first time I see that ones. I've just seen and cultivated the hibrids that we buy in the market.
Never imagined that exists a such beautiful Ixias.

[David Nicholson]

Thanks for that Mark, I'll get my German/English dictionary out