South African bulbose plants 2009

[Miriam]

Bonjour Fred,
I grow this species in the ground (sandy loam with a bit of compost) in full sun without any special care...just watering it when there is no rain. No water during summer dormancy.

[Lesley Cox]

Thanks for that note Alberto. I had the heterodonta name as seed from NZ AGS. Seems I'll have to move it to a warmer place, perhaps frost free.

[BULBISSIME]

Thank's Miriam,

Mine is in a deep pot, very well drained compost, dry dormant period, but no flower.
May be too warm when the bud comes ? it's in the greenhouse.

[Ezeiza]

Hristo:

          Images in The Lachenalia Handbook granted the more primitive printing system at that time, do not even exist as compared to your super photos.

          Admittedly they are botanical images but yours are surely the best I ever seen (and I have seen many!)

Edit by Maggi : Alberto, I think you mean Fred's pix of the lachenalia....

[Miriam]

I don't think it is the problem...
Here, although it's winter now, there are a lot of warm days (20C and even more), but the nights are cold (not under 1C-2C).
Maybe your problem is that you don't have enough sunny days...

[Ezeiza]

Hi Miriam:

              You name it. One often hear that people grow South Africans in greenhouse with a contant temperature day and night. The drop in temperature at night is essential for most plants to complete their physiological processes.

[Hristo]

Yes Ezeiza, Fred's pics are fab! you may know this site already but it has some very nice pics of lachenalia and some not so good pics!
Regards
Hristo

http://www.picsearch.com/search.cgi?q=Lachenalia&start=41&t=jbEJO9Ee79MXIH1%2FDF11roKmUz46psILpYX0TW4zJsU%3D&nav3

[Ezeiza]

Thanks!
     
They are stunning. Lachenalias cross easily and these close up images are very useful to identify species in one's collections. It is incredible that more species are discovered in this genus every year.

Regards

[BULBISSIME]

Miriam,
all my south african bulbs and Pelargonium are under artificial lights so I don't think it's a lack of light, and the Temp is falling every night from 20-25°C to 10-13°.
I really don't understand what's happen;
I also heat the greenhouse with heating cables under the sand and pots....

[Hristo]

Cyanella hyacinthoides, first flower opened today!
Fred, how do you achieve that rich featureless black background?
Would love to know if you don't mind sharing.
Cheers
Hristo

[BULBISSIME]

Hristo,
I use different flashes or annular flashes as well as black backgrounds, that's all, no secret ! 

[Hristo]

Fred, maybe no secret but thanks, I've never really tried to take flower portraits before,
using built in flash has improved effect I think?
Cheers
Hristo

[BULBISSIME]

Yes, you're right !
The second stage to increase quality is the camera : those with built in flash are not perfect for macro with flash.

[Hristo]

Hi Fred, that one will have to wait I fear until this camera stops working!
Still always nice to look forward to an upgarde! 
Thanks again for advice, now is certainly a good time to practice!

[Miriam]

Moraea aristata, very cute flower.