Sprekelia formosissima

[Heinie]

Here is my first of 8 mature Sprekelia formosissima bulbs flowering. The photo is from this morning with a fully open flower.

[Hans J]

Hi Heinie ,

Great pics of a great grower from South Africa 

I'm really envy for your growing conditions 

Best wishes
Hans

[Heinie]

Thank you Hans. There is something about this flower that I like it so much. It may be that bright red colour.

[art600]

What a great plant   

[Paul T]

They're in flower here at the moment as well.  Such a striking colour to them, and almost velvety as it is so rich.  Thrives on total neglect too!!

[BULBISSIME]

It really an amazing flower !
I love it 
Fred

[Alberto]

Really amazing!

Alberto

[Heinie]

A second flower has opened fully yesterday. I cross pollinated this flower with one of my very strong red Hippeastrum in flower at the moment. Here is a photo of the Hippie. Lets hold all thumbs for a possible Hippestrelia breeding of my own. This is my first ever attempt.

[Maggi Young]

Heinie, it will be good to hear if you have succeed with this hybridisation. The parents are both so handsome..... something magical about the reds in the Amaryllidaceae ..... rich, velvety colours.... and those elegant shapes! 

[Regelian]

I have a pot of these from a bag of cheap bulbs, end of season sale.  Fortunately, they had been stored properly by the seller.  I have a few Hippeastrum coming into bloom, but think they are all tetraploids, which means cross pollinating may not work.  Selfing doesn't seem to work on Sprekelia.  Probably all are the same clone.

[Eric Locke]

Jamie - Well done. Have given up after several attemps trying to flower these.

Eric

[Paul T]

They flower best for me when left as alone as possible.  Hot and dry serves them well in my climate.

[Regelian]

They flower best for me when left as alone as possible.  Hot and dry serves them well in my climate.

Paul,

I think you have it right, there.  I ignore them and let them dry in the late Summer, after having fed them during the growth cycle. My biggest problem is forgetting them outside when the frosts come!

Eric,

give 'em another go, if you can get some on sale, as they are very cheap in this part of Europe.  I pick up lots of strange bulbs in Holland, often mislabeled and I have to guess at their growing conditions.  Keeps one on their toes.

[Paul T]

They have no problems with our frosts (to -8'C) here, so at least some frost isn't a problem.

[Eric Locke]

They have no problems with our frosts (to -8'C) here, so at least some frost isn't a problem.