Bulbs from South America 2011

[Rogan]

Leucocoryne purpurea

They certainly are stunning plants Arnold, but not the easiest to grow in my experience.

Upon repotting one-year old seedlings recently it ocurred to me that they obviously will enjoy deep pots - all the little bulblings were seated firmly against the bottom of the pot! Needless to say, they are in deeper pots now. So, I hope for the best that they will enjoy their new homes and reward me with flowers in the not too distant future.

Does anyone know whether they enjoy acid or alkaline conditions where they grow in habitat?

[Ezeiza]

Slightly alkaline, but the habit of going deeper can be troublesome. In the wild they cover whole slopes of one hill and not the next one. Of course they have all the depth they want. Comparatively, Chilean bulbs are the most difficult of all to grow from seed.

[Hans J]

Here are some pics from my Alstroemeria from today - I have it bought last year in a good nursery .
The label says :

Alstroemeria aurantiaca

can anybody of the specialist confirm the ID ?

This plant grows free in my border without any protection and has survived this last strong winter !

Hans

[santo2010]

First of all I'm not an expert on Alstroemerias, but it could be a dark form of A. Aurantiaca. The most spread one is much lighter, but I have seen in nature some individuals like yours.

[Hans J]

Thank you Santiago for your comment !

Where did you see those Alstromerias in nature ? ( Argentina ? ,Chile ? )

In meantime I have looked the Kew register ....the acceptet name is A.aurea - A.aurantiaca is a synonym...

[santo2010]

In Neuquen Argentina. There were populations with some darker individuals, like a spot in a bigger lighter population. There were hibrids between the two colours, and not always the flowers were just a plain colour with the normal strippes and dots, but in some cases they have three petals lighter and three darker.
Unfourtunatelly it was raining heavy some times, and I wasn't carrying my camera.
In other locations in Neuquen I found entire populations of darker colour, but the darker ones where the ones that I see mixed with the lighter ones.

[Hans J]

Santiago - thank you for your explanations !

[Alessandro.marinello]

In my zone, they are difficult in cultivation, they are happy when I see to bloom Rhodophiala

[bulborum]

Beauty Alessandro

I hope you have seeds

Roland

[Alessandro.marinello]

thanks Roland
I make to know

[santo2010]

Very Beautiful Alessandro!
Hope you get lots of seeds to share!
Good luck.

[johnw]

I've just noticed my pots of Rhodophiala phycelloides, R. andicola and R. rhodolirion as well as Phycella ignea are presently dormant. I can't recall when they last had leaves.  Are they autumn/winter grower and should they be kept dry?

johnw

[Ezeiza]

John, andicola and rhodolirion are alpine and the cycle is the same as for tulips in the wild. Summer dormant but not HOT summer dormant.

Phycelloides and P. ignea are better grown as Cape bulbs, frost free. Dry summer dormant.

[johnw]

John, andicola and rhodolirion are alpine and the cycle is the same as for tulips in the wild. Summer dormant but not HOT summer dormant.

Phycelloides and P. ignea are better grown as Cape bulbs, frost free. Dry summer dormant.

Thanks so much Alberto.  I will follow your advice and await foliage once summer passes.  I don't think hot will be an issue this year, even in the greenhouse.

johnw  -  +12c at midnight

[santo2010]

John,
They are Summer dormant, but don't spect leaves before Spring. I been told that in Autumn and Winter only roots are active. Autumn with some rain, Winter dry under snow, Spring moslty snow melting water, Summer dry. Leaves and flowers in Spring.