South African Bulbs 2013

[Ezeiza]

Jim, Lachenalias are abnormally susceptible to viruses. This is why the many outstanding hybrids produced over the years have disappeared without even being known.

[fermi de Sousa]

The Amaryllis belladonna have started in our garden, as have the Crossyne flava - I wonder if they're compatible??
cheers
fermi

[Gail]

I wonder if they're compatible??

One way to find out Fermi....
We await your results with interest.

[Rogan]

Last year, in late October, I chanced upon some Lachenalia aff. comptonii flowering in the 'wild' - on a track near my property in the southern Cape province. I was thrilled as I haven't seen this species in nature before, mine never look as good confined to a pot...

[Maggi Young]

Rogan, it may be just my memory, but I think this is the first time we've seen this lovely plant in the wild.  I've got a fondness for flowers with sch exerted stamens- they  somehow look so festive - as if they are saying to pollinators "come, party"!

[Rogan]

It's a lovely species indeed Maggi, and nicely scented too. Here's another pic, a close up with early morning dew spangling the flowers.

[Maggi Young]

I didn't know about it being scented.....

[ArnoldT]

Rogan:

I have to say there is a sharp difference between your image and the photos in Graham's book.   It is described as "heavily spice scented and proteranthous".

His description looks like yours but not his images.

[arillady]

Would love to see seed offered of this Lachenalia sometime.

[Rogan]

I'll be living in that area semi-permanently from early 2014 so should be able to harvest some seed for distribution - until then...   

[Gerhard Raschun]

just a few picts of my small Lachenalia collection.
The plants would deserve to be more cultured

[Gerhard Raschun]

and a few more

[Maggi Young]

Lachenalia are plants that I find  very interesting.
I am tempted by the new  book by Graham Duncan, The Genus Lachenalia, published by Kew. The price puts me off rather though- £120 for a book on a genus I don't grow seems a bit steep. 

ISBN Number for the book :  ISBN 9781842463826

[Gerhard Raschun]

Lachenalia are plants that I find  very interesting.

Yes of course: They are easy in cultivation, not as expensive as other rarities. First flowering after two or three seasons for usual is an advantage against other genera.

Sadly the tubers are rarely offered !

[ashley]

Beautiful plants & beautifully photographed Gerhard
Do you know whether your L. pustulata is typical of the species?  The form I grow has much bluer flowers.

Yes Maggi prices of the Kew monographs make me gulp too.