Help needed with Scadoxus (multiflorus)

[meanie]

As I'm new here I'm unsure as to whether this is the correct place to post this, so bear with me if I've got it wrong.

Does anyone have any experience growing this. I've bought three loose bulbs and have read a lot of conflicting advice so far. So, how deep should I plant them, how far apart, size of pot etc.

Thanks in advance!

[Ezeiza]

It is a subtropical bulb, dormant in winter without leaves, can be grown with very little light. Bulbs must be planted deep. Takes years to flower from seed. Very attractive tropical looking foliage. Flowers are produced in a separate stem. Spectacular plant under warm conditions.

You say nothing about your location and conditions.

[meanie]

Thank you Ezeiza.
I guess that my hardiness zone would average out at 8, but it's my intention to grow it in the conservatory even in the summer. I decided on that as the first time that I saw one it was indoors at the botanic gardens in Oxford. How deep would you say - 70 to 80mm?

[Ezeiza]

Yes and 150 mm, even better. When well grown it makes a vigorous clump. It will need a very large container to acommodate the massive perennial roots.

I have seen it growing in the ground in subtropical areas and it is far better than in the normal pots people grow it in. Evidently, a large container is important.

The mix must be well drained, red acid subtropical soils are very open and crumby.

Hope this helps.

Besides this there are other species in cultivation not really expensive when available as seed but very expensive as mature bulbs (it takes a good number of years to reach flowering size).

[PeterT]

likes a fair bit of water when in growth but if it is soggy when going dormant you will loose it very quickly. Mine are just coming up now.

[meanie]

Thanks again Azeiza and PeterT!
I see that you're in Derbyshire Peter - am I wrong to grow mine in the conservatory/

[PeterT]

mine are in the house! it likes being planted out for the summer but if it gets frozen it will be dead!

[meanie]

So outdoors on warm days then....

[Arykana]

I need help for this matter
What can this be, fungus or virus? Will survive the bulbs?

[Arykana]

nobody here? my poor flower is suffering!

[Maggi Young]

I don't grow Scadoxus, Erika, so I'm no help to you.... where are the African Bulb meisters? 

[Ezeiza]

Do you know it is a tropical/subtropical bulb? It likes hot growing conditions during a long season.

Is it possible that it received a sudden cold spell?

The lesions resemble a lot the presence of nematodes.

[Arykana]

Usually we have a long, hot and dry summer - but, yes, this year had a cold spell
Nematodes pfujjjjjjj, but it can be I will spray them
Thank you!

[Ezeiza]

Make a simple test: with care dig one of the big roots. If clean it should look totally normal, without any deformation or swelling. After the examination, put it back in place and cover.

If the roots are normal, it was a cold spell and this has no remedy. Be careful with the water and that's all.

[Arykana]

Ok, thank you - maybe I over water