South African Bulbs2012

[Maggi Young]

What I know about gladiolus can be written 100 times on the head of a small pin 
I can say it is very beautiful and a super photo ( well, it would be, would it not?) - the markings are so delicate and I like the shape of the flower... quite full and almost lily-like.
Is it scented, Fred?

[daveyp1970]

Gladiolus carinatus from the greenhouse.
But I'm not really sure of the name.... if somebody could confirm 

That is super Fred,never seen a gladi like that before.

[Lesley Cox]

That's a very pretty Ferraria Arnold, with those colours it almost has a benign look. Some others look as if they want to kill you.

[BULBISSIME]

Yes Maggi, it's scented... lightly.

[Darren]

It could be carinatus Fred - the species is hugely variable. Great Western Gladiolus nursery in the UK used to sell a number of very different selected forms. Whatever it is it is very lovely!

[ArnoldT]

Gladiolus maculatus

[Darren]

Nice Arnold, and much later flowering than my stock - it flowers in December for me and is now developing seed capsules. It has a terrific scent.

I've had some discussion with Alberto about this species. I hand pollinate it every year and get seed capsules but most years the seed is obviously not viable (no embryo, just papery chaff). My theory was that pollination occurred at a time of year when it is just too cold and dull here, even under glass, for the seed to develop properly. Oddly though - I got viable seed in the very cold winter of 2009/2010 and have seedlings growing on from this. Last year (2010/2011) was a dud because only one corm flowered. This  season was a good year for flowering and I hope the seed will be good too!

[ArnoldT]

Darren:

I is a first year acquisition.  I find newly planted bulb can flower "off" schedule.

I'll get a better image this weekend.

[Angelo Porcelli]

I have just a few South African bulbs 
Moraea polystachya, a plant that ALL should grow if climate is suitable, its blooming season lasts months !
Tulbaghia capensis, a small creature but with a strong scent

[PeterT]

Nice Tulbaghia Angelo, recently I was told that they are quite variable....

[BULBISSIME]

Pity for me Angelo,... climate isn't suitable 

[ArnoldT]

Here's a better shot.

Gladiolus maculatus

[bulborum]

marvellous one Arnold
I seeded this one a month ago
probably four years to go for I can show mine

Roland

[Jean-Patrick AGIER]

I have just a few South African bulbs 
Moraea polystachya, a plant that ALL should grow if climate is suitable, its blooming season lasts months !
Tulbaghia capensis, a small creature but with a strong scent

Really nice moraea Angelo!
I have a few Moraea Aristata which are in growth ( leaves are very thin ). Is it as rewarding as yours?
JP

[ArnoldT]

Pollen sacs located inferior to the style.

 Ferraria densepunctulata