South African Bulbs2012

[Diane Whitehead]

Roland,

Is it only Gladiolus orchidiflorus that does not germinate for you?

[bulborum]

Hello Diane

No about 50% from the seedlings germinate bad see picture 3
30% germinates very good the other 20% are very divers in germinating

some gladiolus germinate as weeds within two/three weeks
same for some alstroemeria from Chile

R

[Ezeiza]

To be sown in Spring, Lesley.

[Lesley Cox]

So you think I should hold them for 5-6 months Alberto? It's my natural habit to sow as soon as possible. If I hold them, should I refrigerate them? There are just 3, so not enough to try some now and some later. They are nice and plump though.

There is something bat-like about Glad. orchidiflorus.

[Ezeiza]

They are winter dormant, Lesley, and likes cool conditions, not hot subtropical as other Gladioli do. It is very beatiful and elegant and the scent is powerful. The only possible drawback is that they flower very late in the season and in cold districts the flowers would be frozen.

[Darren]

Hello Diane

No about 50% from the seedlings germinate bad see picture 3
30% germinates very good the other 20% are very divers in germinating

some gladiolus germinate as weeds within two/three weeks
same for some alstroemeria from Chile

R

I've found this too Roland.

I was once told that imported Gladiolus seed can have a fungal contaminant on the seed coat that destroys the newly germinating seed before shoots emerge. I don't know. Home-collected seed does seem better but I still get inexplicable failures (no germination from what looked like good seed of G carmineus or G caeruleus last season).

If fungicidal seed dressings are available where you are then they might be worth trying. As might a short soak in dilute bleach such as you might use for orchid seed, prior to sowing.

Some species have never produced seedlings for me despite numerous attempts from various sources - G. alatus and G. hirsutus for example.

[ArnoldT]

Lachenalia aloides quadricolor

[bulborum]

Good to try for next year Darren

I will treat the seeds next year

Roland

[arillady]

Fred what a stunning Gladiolus - I have not seen this one before. So elegant like a tall willowy lady in a slinky figure hugging dress

[ArnoldT]

A very large Lachenalia flower spike 8"

[Diane Whitehead]

Hey, I like it.  I find most Lachenalias uninspiring, but that one is pretty.

[ArnoldT]

Diane:

Three more.

[Onion]

Arnold,

are you the national collection holder for Lachenalia? Have looked at the last few pages. What a collection, what different colours. So sad not have a frostfree alpinehouse.

[Maggi Young]

PENROCK SEEDS, PENROCK PLANTS AND PENROCK SPECIALIST FLORA- sad announcement:

The death of Charles Craib, well known in the field of South African bulbs has been announced.
He passed away suddenly on the 19th March 2012.

There is more on the Penroc Website:
http://www.penroc.co.za/index.html

[jshields]

PENROCK SEEDS, PENROCK PLANTS AND PENROCK SPECIALIST FLORA- sad announcement:

The death of Charles Craib, well known in the field of South African bulbs has been announced.
He passed away suddenly on the 19th March 2012.

There is more on the Penroc Website:
http://www.penroc.co.za/index.html

This is indeed sad to hear.  Charles made many contributions to the bulb flora of South Africa.  He had many valuable publications in HERBERTIA.

Jim