Nomocharis 2010

[Michael J Campbell]

1-4  Nomocharis aperta.

[David Nicholson]

I'm impressed Michael! Much of the literature seems to say that Nomocharis only do well in cool damp climates (Scotland) but here you are with some beauties. How do you grow them-I have a few seedlings from Seed Ex. seed in their second growing season.

[bulborum]

Hello Michael

I like the second one
or is it the sun giving it a more rose colour

Roland

[David Pilling]

Amazing photos. I'm with David, please tell us what it is which we do not know.

I set off trying to grow Nomocharis in 2006. This would have been the year of success, but something managed to find the one Nomocharis in a greenhouse full of plants and snap off the shoot - back to blades of grass.

The sorts of thing which are not obvious, are which species are the easiest, which species produce the most seed (matters if you're getting the seed from seed ex's).

I've an idea that seed is not viable for long, I seem to have done better this year by sowing it as soon as I got it, and putting the pots outside in the cold - abandoning my previous approach of zip lock bags.

From what I have read, they prefer cold and shade, this is what I give them, but I wonder if it is actually why I have little success.

The main problem is the slow rate of growth, which means I have fragile single leaves for years. The fragility means I have resorted to growing them in plastic bags, where they do survive.

I've been following Ian Young's Nomocharis from seed in his bulb log - obvious he is doing better than I am 

[Michael J Campbell]

Roland, it was starting to get dark when I took the pics so the second one was taken with flash,the others with available light.

David & David, re. cultivation.
I sow the seed straight from the pod in 60=40 JI.seed compost and grit. the pots are then left in a north facing frame with no sun at all until they flower. I do not re-pot them or give them any direct sunlight at any time, and they stay outside all year but are covered from the rain from Sept until after flowering(the seedlings from Sept until April).They get fed every few weeks when I remember with tomato feed after the foliage appears in the spring. I choose a pot large enough to accommodate them until flowering, 2ltr or less depending on the amount of seed.
I once planted a potful in a cool shady place in the garden,they flowered the first year then vanished.

They should flower the third year from seed.

[bulborum]

Hello Michael

If you don't water them until after flowering
then the soil must be bone dry
till after flowering

Roland

[Michael J Campbell]

Roland,I keep them damp at all times .  I did not say that I did not water them,I said that I protected  them from the rain.   (We get lots and lots of rain) As with most members of Liliaceae If they dry out they are dead.

[bulborum]

Yes Michael

that's why I was surprised
I keep mine almost dry during the winter
but mines are in a tunnel free of frost but cold

Roland

[Mick McLoughlin]

Nomocharis pardanthina flowering now. These are 3rd or 4th year from seed ex. 3 flowering plants this year.

[bulborum]

Beauty Mick

my seedlings did not germinate
maybe the seed was to old
N. aperta did well flowered for the first time this year
but the cat broke it so no seeds

Roland

[johnw]

A few Nomocharis in flower year here.

johnw

[gote]

The first Nomocharis for the year. My litterature suggests that it is meleagrina (entire tepal margins)
Göte

[Mick McLoughlin]

Thanks Roland.
Do you know if they will set seed themselves, or will they need some help?
Cheers
Mick

[bulborum]

Hello Mick

I pollinate them myself always cross pollination is the best
and plant the seeds direct after the seeds ripen
this is what I do with all my seeds

Roland

[Roma]

Saw this amazing Nomocharis in the Cruickshank Garden on Thursday night.  Did not see a label and did not have time to look for one.