March 2010 in the Southern Hemisphere

[Gail]

H. coccineus is currently in a 18cm terracotta pot on my sitting room windowsill (gets light from east and south).  Compost is a mix of John Innes and grit.  I've just checked the label - I got it in 2000 and it has not flowered yet (embarrassing admission!).  The leaves are just starting to die back at tips so I was going to give it a high potash feed then let it dry out for summer.....

[Lesley Cox]

I'm wondering if there's a lot of point in giving the high potash feed as it is about to be dried out? Wouldn't it be best to give it when in strong root growth at least?

[Tecophilaea King]

Lesley is right, strong  root growth is important, with additionally NPK ( 1-2-3 ) plus trace elements at the right time is also beneficial.
Container/pot grown plants of course can be successful if done correctly, but in many instances plants get rootbound or restricted in a small pot, especially bigger bulbs like Haemanthus.
I still think your Haemanthus being a South African plant that need plenty of sunlight, warm conditions and often baking in summer, does not get enough sunlight and/or other important aspects on your windowsill for successful flowering.
If all efforts have failed, I would still try to grow it in a nicely sheltered, sunny, south facing position outside, or glasshouse.
Anyone else with more additional advice or recommendations on this all to common problem?

[Gail]

If all efforts have failed, I would still try to grow it in a nicely sheltered, sunny, south facing position outside, or glasshouse.

The only glasshouse I have is a rather manky lean-to with inadequate ventilation, things in there freeze in winter and cook in summer....
I may just have to move!

[fermi de Sousa]

If all efforts have failed, I would still try to grow it in a nicely sheltered, sunny, south facing position outside, or glasshouse.

The only glasshouse I have is a rather manky lean-to with inadequate ventilation, things in there freeze in winter and cook in summer....
I may just have to move!

http://australia.gov.au/topics/immigration
cheers
fermi

[Tecophilaea King]

The only glasshouse I have is a rather manky lean-to with inadequate ventilation, things in there freeze in winter and cook in summer....
I may just have to move!
http://australia.gov.au/topics/immigration
cheers  fermi

You beat me to it Fermi, but New Zealand would/should be a better option, wouldn't agree?

[Tecophilaea King]

Another interesting plant growing in the The Puna Quarry is the Yucca filamentosa, commonly known as Adam's needle.
Yucca filamentosa is readily identified from other Yucca by white threads (filaments) on the leaf margins.
Flower stems up to 2m. tall and bear masses of pendulous cream flowers, in late summer.

[Gail]

The only glasshouse I have is a rather manky lean-to with inadequate ventilation, things in there freeze in winter and cook in summer....
I may just have to move!
http://australia.gov.au/topics/immigration
cheers  fermi

You beat me to it Fermi, but New Zealand would/should be a better option, wouldn't agree?

   Bill and Fermi, I can't decide where I would rather be, land of the duck-billed platypus or land of the kiwi.  I'm going to have to see both before I decide!

[Tecophilaea King]

In late summer Rhodophiala bifida produces small lustrous pinkish red trumpets with maroon lines in the throat and prominent golden anthers.
It is easily grown in a sunny position and the bulbs can pull themselves deep into the soil, unlike Hippeastrums.

[Tecophilaea King]

Not 100% sure of this Lycoris species, but think its Lycoris rosea

[kiwi]

Not to the previous standards but my Haemanthus coccineus seems to be happy this year.
Arum pictum - a favourite of mine, only one flower so far this year unfortunately.
Paris Quadrifolia not sure if its coming or going with this crazy season we're having.
A late blooming Pachystegia rufa in the alpine garden.
Last of the seasons Arum seed - helped by my daughter.

[Tecophilaea King]

Arum pictum - a favourite of mine, only one flower so far this year unfortunately.

Very nice Arum pictum Doug, does it set seed?

[angie]

Love your Pachystegia rufa , looked it up as I had never seen this before, wish I could grow this one. I love anything with white daisy flowers.
Angie

[Tecophilaea King]

Two more cheerful autumn flowering species are Empoduim plicatum  and Empoduim namaquensis
The E.plicatum has dwarf golden yellow star-like flowers which open in the afternoon in autumn and early winter.
With the E.namaquensis the flowers appear before the leaves, and while open, both have a very strong perfume, noticeable all over the nursery.

[TheOnionMan]

Two more cheerful autumn flowering species are Empoduim plicatum  and Empoduim namaquensis
The E.plicatum has dwarf golden yellow star-like flowers which open in the afternoon in autumn and early winter.
With the E.namaquensis the flowers appear before the leaves, and while open, both have a very strong perfume, noticeable all over the nursery.

Bill, those Empodium species are very attractive. The first one, Empodium plicatum, caught my eye as it looks very much some of the South American Hypoxis species I once grew.  Looked it up, and indeed the genus Empodium is a member of the Hypoxidaceae.  Interesting that the flowers are so strongly scented, as none of the Hypoxis species I grew had scented flowers.  Thanks for showing this distinctive genus.

Glad to meet up with Pachystegia rufa, never saw that species in bloom before.  Years ago, the dwarf form of Pachystegia insignis (var. minor, or 'Minor') was popular and I grew it for a few years, although it never flowered, but at least the foliage is most attractive.  It was not a hardy plant here, but one that people grew in greenhouses or bright windowsill.