November 2009 in the Southern Hemisphere

[ajbroome]

Folks,

I thought I'd start this month off with a nice form of Arum dioscoridis that I obtained with the name 'spectabile'.

Andrew.

[galahad]

Very nice.  I have yet to flower the one I have (from you I believe)

[Lesley Cox]

I have some young ones from you Andrew, not flowered yet but years ago when my mother grew it (I think we imported it from Col. Mars in Surrey) the ground colour was light yellow and the spotting black. Seems it varies therefore. What I chiefly remember was the stench, and the fact that neighbours complained about the drains when it was in flower. Like Schultz, my mother and I "knew nothing."

[Tecophilaea King]

Wachendorfia thyrsiflora, is quite easy to grow, smetimes it can be too easy, forming large clumps and producing numerous self-sown seedlings.
It flowers for a long time from spring until summer, producing an abundance of golden yellow flowers on erect stems.
Do you still grow these Wachendorfias en mass along your drive Paul?

[Tecophilaea King]

Just a few more close-ups of those spidery Hippeastrum named  hybrids between H.cybister, H.aulicum and H.papilio.
Quite spectacular when in flower, a very welcome, and beautiful additions for the hippy addict.
Hippeastrum La Paz
Hippeastrum Rio Nigro

[Tecophilaea King]

Another beautiful tree flowering at the moment is our own native Kowhai the exquisite Sophora tetraptera.
Regarded as our national flower, the beautiful golden-yellow flowers can be seen troughout the country.
Tuis and other native birds love the nectar. Kowhai are easy to grow, being tolerant to most conditions.

[Tecophilaea King]

Oooh, Bill.  I have been looking for those for ages.

Ross, depending on their increase, (recently imported) we might be able to organise something, keep reminding me.

[galahad]

Will do

[Tecophilaea King]

Sorry about the last few postings, they are still stuck in the October folder/forum. (senior moments )
Is it possible to put them in the "November 2009 in the Southern Hemisphere" forum Maggi please?  Thanks.


Otherwise go and have a look, will post here from now on, must remember next time.

edit by maggi: you're welcome!

[Tecophilaea King]

A dainty, dwarf, double Rhodohypoxis flowering at the moment, something different from the normal single flowering plant.

[Tecophilaea King]

As I mentioned before, I am really getting interested in the Irises, but hate when people give/swap me bulbs or rhizomes with no names.
Could someone please identify these irises? Thanks,
Bill

[Maggi Young]

Sorry about the last few postings, they are still stuck in the October folder/forum. (senior moments )
Is it possible to put them in the "November 2009 in the Southern Hemisphere" forum Maggi please?  Thanks.
Otherwise go and have a look, will post here from now on, must remember next time.

I thought you southern hemisphere folks were AHEAD of us, Bill, not behind???

I've rounded  up your stragglers! ..... and now, some time later... I've rounded up my own!  :-[Sorry, Bill and John W, for isolating your Wachendorfia pic and comment!

[johnw]

Wachendorfia thyrsiflora, is quite easy to grow, smetimes it can be too easy,

Bill - I have tried to grow this one on countless occassions. It grows well but dies in the cool greenhouse during the winter - every time.

Have tried drier and moister - and intermediate -  in the winter but down they go.  Lovely red roots though before they rot.

Any suggestions?

johnw

[Lesley Cox]

Bill, the iris is I. foetidissima and is actually a prohibited plant, i.e. you aren't allowed to have it on your property (but many of us have!) because the beautiful opened seed pods full of large bright red seeds, are highly toxic. There is a perceived danger to children in particular. Grow it but be discreet about it. Having said that, it is probably the least attractive of all irises.

[galahad]

Trillium erectum