South African bulbose plants 2009

[Hans J]

Paul ,

Yes ....I know .....

But anyway I will pollinate this both M.jasminiflora together - they are both pretty pink !

[David Nicholson]

Just received today a copy of "Cape Bulbs" by Richard Doutt. It's quite good and detailed but, as seems to be the case with many books on bulbs,  somwhat short of detail in the "Cultivation" section. Cue the BD!!!!!!!!

In the book he refers to Lachenalia as being pronounced 'lah-shen-ahl-ee-a' whereas I have always pronounced it 'lak-en-ahl-ee-a'. Am I wrong? He does go on to say that the plant was named in 1784 for Werner de la Chenal, a professor of Botony in Basel, Switzerland which would suggest that Doutt's pronunciation is the correct one.

[Lesley Cox]

Lack for me too rather than lash. When has what may be "right" ever stopped us pronouncing in whatever way we please?

Should your note about the book perhaps go in the South AFRICAN bulbous section David?

[Maggi Young]

Lack for me too rather than lash. When has what may be "right" ever stopped us pronouncing in whatever way we please?

Should your note about the book perhaps go in the South AFRICAN bulbous section David?

 I say the Scottish .... lach as in loch!! 
I've moved  the offending posts here to the proper section!!

[mark smyth]

I say lack.

I know someone who says cyclamen as sick-lamen and celandine as keel-andine while most others say sell-andine

I learnt recently that both o in Boophane are said

[David Nicholson]

Lack for me too rather than lash. When has what may be "right" ever stopped us pronouncing in whatever way we please?

Should your note about the book perhaps go in the South AFRICAN bulbous section David?

 I say the Scottish .... lach as in loch!! 
I've moved  the offending posts here to the proper section!!

Where had I put it? Just shows the old mind is going

[Maggi Young]

Lack for me too rather than lash. When has what may be "right" ever stopped us pronouncing in whatever way we please?

Should your note about the book perhaps go in the South AFRICAN bulbous section David?

 I say the Scottish .... lach as in loch!! 
I've moved  the offending posts here to the proper section!!

Where had I put it? Just shows the old mind is going

 In the South AMERICAN thread! 

[Gerdk]

Is there a ' lack ' of concentrativeness or a ' lack ' of geographical knowledge?
 

Gerd

[Darren]

I love the pencil drawings in the Doutt book David, and he does have some useful things to say (Geissorhiza radians longevity for instance, and seed germination times are spot on too), also his quote that Maurice Boussard states that Melasphaerula graminea is 'a weed' is dead right but was too late for me. I'm just glad it isn't hardy or it would be a menace. It comes up everywhere in our greenhouse, even in the wet capillary matting under my seed pots it germinates and reaches flowering in one season!

My issue with the book is really the same as yours David - it is really aimed at people gardening in an already ideal climate for these bulbs and much of his experience relates to growing them planted out in his garden. Though I found his info on Boussard in France growing South African Irids in frames interesting and I'm sure many would stand this in Devon or here in coastal Lancashire. I just don't have the frame space to try it.

I'm not fussy about the pronunciation either though I agree that Doutts version is probably correct.

[David Nicholson]

Is there a ' lack ' of concentrativeness or a ' lack ' of geographical knowledge?
 

Gerd

Just an old chap whose eyes and mind aren't as sharp as they used to be Gerd

[David Nicholson]

I love the pencil drawings in the Doutt book David, and he does have some useful things to say (Geissorhiza radians longevity for instance, and seed germination times are spot on too), also his quote that Maurice Boussard states that Melasphaerula graminea is 'a weed' is dead right but was too late for me. I'm just glad it isn't hardy or it would be a menace. It comes up everywhere in our greenhouse, even in the wet capillary matting under my seed pots it germinates and reaches flowering in one season!

My issue with the book is really the same as yours David - it is really aimed at people gardening in an already ideal climate for these bulbs and much of his experience relates to growing them planted out in his garden. Though I found his info on Boussard in France growing South African Irids in frames interesting and I'm sure many would stand this in Devon or here in coastal Lancashire. I just don't have the frame space to try it.

I'm not fussy about the pronunciation either though I agree that Doutts version is probably correct.

Yes, Darren it is a very interesting and helpful book and I'm glad I bought it and I recommend it to anyone interested in South African (got it right this time Gerd!) bulbs. I thought some of his seed germination times were a bit quick certainly for my climate. I was interested too in Boussard's frames ideas but, like you, space is my problem. Having said that there is a tremendous satisfaction and excitement in raising something in an unhelpful climate and winning some and loosing some is part of the game.

[Darren]

Another really beautiful and useful book is Bulbous Plants of Southern Africa by DuPLessis & Duncan if you can get it. It is both detailed and has lovely paintings by Elise Bodley. I bought mine by mail from South Africa about 6 years ago. It is an awkward size to fit on a bookshelf is my only criticism - so my copy is here on my desk as I write.

I suspect it would be very expensive nowadays as these kinds of books often are once they go out of print. If you see a copy at a good price snap it up!

[Darren]

Just looked on ABE. Prices start at £125....

[David Nicholson]

Me too! I would hang on to that it's better than a pension

[daveyp1970]

Darren i have a few species of Geissorhiza as well as  radians,which i have read is short lived,are all the Geissorhiza the same,my plants are only two year old plants started last year from seed.