South African Bulbs 2013

[Darren]

Grateful if someone could confirm whether this is Polyxena (Lachenalia) ensifolia...

That is pygmaea Steve.

[SJW]

That is pygmaea Steve.

Thanks, Darren. I was given the pot last year, in leaf but after flowering, and it was labelled as P. ensifolia. I hadn't grown Polyxena before so thought I'd check the ID with those who have. How are your Lachenalias coming along this year, the the way? Mine seem later than usual coming back into growth - probably because of this mild weather. I then start to worry about watering: too much? too little?....

[Peter Maguire]

Steve,

My potful of Lachanalia aloides has just started to emerge above the topdressing - just one watering so far at the end of September.
The others aren't showing yet, apart from Polyxena/Lachanalia pygmaea. I'm sticking with Polyxena for now, until the new taxonomy has definitely stabilised....... 

[Ezeiza]

Peter, even if it takes centuries, any Polyxena wull never look lik any Lachenalia.

[Maggi Young]

Peter, even if it takes centuries, any Polyxena wull never look lik any Lachenalia.

So true!

[Darren]

Thanks, Darren. I was given the pot last year, in leaf but after flowering, and it was labelled as P. ensifolia. I hadn't grown Polyxena before so thought I'd check the ID with those who have. How are your Lachenalias coming along this year, the the way? Mine seem later than usual coming back into growth - probably because of this mild weather. I then start to worry about watering: too much? too little?....

I watered first weekend in September as usual and they are all up. But the autumn flowerers are flowering a little late (a week or two). Polyxena are approaching their peak, Lachenalia pusilla is just starting, L. punctata is in advanced bud.

[Darren]

That is pygmaea Steve.

Note I didn't use either Polyxena or Lachenalia in my response...

I'm going to keep them labelled as Polyxena anyway for now, though I've re-labelled my lecture slides to read 'Lachenalia (Polyxena) ensifolia' etc to indicate Duncan's changes.

I do support the (re) separation of ensifolia and pygmaea as they seem distinct to me. Just flowering now is a new raising of pygmaea from Summerfield seed, which has more flowers per inflorescence and they are a paler pink than either my other form or Steve's. I might be able to post a pic at the weekend.

[Peter Maguire]

I watered first weekend in September as usual

A counsel of perfection - I was still furiously repotting at that time. 

[Darren]

Not really perfection Peter - due to the time it takes I'm only repotting every two years now and this year was the off year!

[Peter Maguire]

Every two years! You are doing well.
Some of the crocuses I potted up had the remains of four old corms stacked on top of one another. 

[johnw]

Nerine 'Mother of Pearl' today and 2 x Nerine Smither's hp seedlings.  These Nerines are hell to photograph.

johnw

[Brian Ellis]

These Nerines are hell to photograph.

But well worth the effort, such delicate colouring.

[Pete Clarke]

Lachenalia pusilla, a lovely little plant, with a curious scent.

[SJW]

Lachenalia pusilla, a lovely little plant, with a curious scent.

Pete, now you've got everyone curious! Curious, as in unpleasant? I wonder what the pollinator is?

I like the detail on these L. haarlemensis leaves. (And I was so busy looking, I didn't spot the cobwebs...)

[Pete Clarke]

No, definitely not unpleasant Steve, just difficult to describe and I havn't smelt anything like it before.