South African Bulbs 2011

[daveyp1970]

Hesperantha baurii, seed grown, sown March 2008 SRGC 07/08-1935. Apologies for the quality of the pictures.

A frustrating little specimen, it's been in bud since last Thursday but by the time I got to photograph it (late afternoon) it had closed up again. Given our low light levels, and temperature levels over the past few days it simply wouldn't open so yesterday I left it on the dining room window sill (special dispensation!!) and this morning it opened with the help of some warmth from the central heating (I said it was cold here!) but now at 1335 it's all closed up again. Lovely little plant, pity that the pics don't do it justice.

very pretty David,i am getting into hesperantha,i have got a few pots of different sp that i bought as seed in the spring awaiting there atumn wetting,good easy S.A bulbs and pretty bomb proof.

[David Nicholson]

Dave, I've extracted a list on a Word doc. of Hesperantha species South African flowering dates from The Colour Encyclopedia of Cape Bulbs -Manning Goldblatt and Snijman. It's too big a size for me to post here but I will send you a copy to your private email address. If anyone else would like a copy send me an email to my home email address.

[Ezeiza]

Instead, your super growing skills, Davey. Winter growing Hesperanthas are not among the easiest of Cape bulbs, proof is that so few species are in cultivation. Summer growing Hesperanthas (Schizostylis excluded) are even more hard to please.

[David Nicholson]

.................... Summer growing Hesperanthas (Schizostylis excluded) are even more hard to please.

.....apart from baurii perhaps Alberto. If I can do it anyone can

[Lesley Cox]

Davey, your Glad. floribundus seed arrived this morning. It looks good and will be sown this afternoon. Thanks very much. Also some Ramonda seed from Belgium. Only nice things come in the mail nowadays.   Nasty things like the power bill come Online.  

[arillady]

Lachenalias originally from a local Barossa Valley cemetery where they have colonised well.
Species?

[daveyp1970]

Lachenalias originally from a local Barossa Valley cemetery where they have colonised well.
Species?

Pat they remind me of ice lollies we used to get when i was a kid,a fantastic blast of colour.
I hope they grow well for you Lesley,if you can keep the corms dry during your summer they will be fine,they are not forgiving when introduced to water in there rest period,i have found out the hard way .

[Ezeiza]

aloides, Pat.

[fermi de Sousa]

Lachenalias originally from a local Barossa Valley cemetery where they have colonised well.
Species?

Hi Pat,
As Alberto has indicated they are Lachenalia aloides - the type sold as "Quadricolor" for the 4 distinct colours in the flower. Still one of my favourites.
cheers
fermi

[arillady]

I should take a diversion coming home tomorrow and go to the cemetery as the lachenalias should all be out there too.
Fermi I think you told me the species last year but I forgot to write it down so thanks Alberto for the species name. The tag is written - just needs to get to the clump now.

[Ezeiza]

Pat, if those Lachenalias are all the same type, such "wild" seeds would be very interesting for distribution.

[arillady]

I will definitely take my camera with me today.
Jack Frost has covered all the hillsides really thickly this morning. Fingertips are losing feeling as I type. Coldest morning for three years!
I will have to keep an eye on my clump to watch out for seeds and then visit the cemetery.

[Ezeiza]

Damn. Lachenalias are not hardy.

[Maggi Young]

They can't be too frost tender surely, Alberto,  for them to have made these naturalised clumps ?

[Ezeiza]

They are cooked, Maggi, with slight frosts in my humid climate if not protected.