Scilla 2009

[ChrisB]

Thanks for that link, Sue.  Nice to know someone has read the Plain English Guide'.   

[ChrisB]

And all this lead me to a site that tells me they must grow like nerines, half way above ground.  I'm going to repot my bulb today and see if it improves its performance!

[Ezeiza]

Again, Scilla KRAUSSII and Scilla nervosa are now considered forms of the variable ex Scilla natalensis, which is currently widely accepted in a new genus, Merwilla.

[SueG]

Again, Scilla KRAUSSII and Scilla nervosa are now considered forms of the variable ex Scilla natalensis, which is currently widely accepted in a new genus, Merwilla.

Sorry Ezeiza, I wasn't meaning to suggest they wern't Merwilla's, you were clear and helpful about that.
Sue

[Ezeiza]

Chris, it grows with the bulb a third or so above the ground level. It thrives on good drainage and high temperatures. It is a large bulb and demands really big containers. Mature bulbs offset, slowly.

[ChrisB]

Ezieza - thanks for the tip.  Mine has been grown from Silverhills seed.  I've kept it in a pot, repotting each year and the leaves are now about 2 inches across when it starts to grow, but no flower as yet.  I live in hope.  BTW - where abouts are you in the world?  Could you add to your sig please?

[Ezeiza]

Hi:
    I am in south America, near buenos Aires, Argentina.

[ChrisB]

Wow, such a long way away!  You seem to know a lot about growing South African plants!  Please put that on your sig when you get a minute, it really does help us when we are corresponding.  Thanks for all your help

[Ezeiza]

Well, Chris, in the good old days we had 700 species of South African bulbs, now a lot less.

Alberto 

[ChrisB]

Oh my, you have lots of experience with them then.  I checked my bulb and it has begun growing up out of the soil a little, so I shall get it all out, repot it and hope it responds to being above ground more.  I shall keep it in the greenhouse on the sunny side so it has a chance to get any available heat and sunshine this summer, to help it gain the sustenance it requires to flower.  I really want this bulb to flower for me!  Thanks for adding your location1

[Ezeiza]

Well, it is possibly one year to flowering size. It is not anything to faint at, but fascinating as all wild plants.

[ChrisB]

If it flowers it will be my first ever bulb grown from seed, to flower, so will be important to me anyway.  The picture in Elsa Pooley's guide looks nice, so I'm hoping it will flower one day!  a long wait....

[Ezeiza]

Sorry, no meant to be rude. Had no idea!

It is a fine plant only that the flower spike is too open as compared to Urginea maritima or the Eremuruses.

Best of lucks

[ChrisB]

No need to apologise, I am most grateful for your helpful advice!

[Ezeiza]

OK.

     As for Scilla plumbea, mentioned above, it is a plant different than Merwilla natalensis and occurs in the opposite climate pattern.

     It is not wrong to cinlude it as a synonim of Merwilla natalensis.


alberto