South African Bulbs 2013

[Rimmer de Vries]

Polyxena ex silverhill 11157 blooming this week.

i think this one is Polyxena (Lachenalia) ensifolia or could it be P. pygmaea?
a bit over 2" tall

Thank you

[Rimmer de Vries]

I started this pot of Massonia echinata seeds last March 2013 from a very generous NARGS ration and these have grown quite well in the past 8 months.  when should i thin these out and when should i expect to see the first blooms?
how much light do i need to give them to make them flatten out?  These were outside until this week as the winter is started.

Thank you

[Afloden]

Rimmer,

 I found, when I used to grow several Massonia, that they need to be potted individually with a lot of space to flatten out all the way. I currently only have some M. depressa and it took them 3 years to mature and flower. I now grow 4 bulbs in a 12 inch pot, but even this leads to some crowding and leaves held partially erect. Some of the other species are much smaller and require less room.

 Aaron

[Darren]

Worth the wait though, Darren. What a pretty little plant. I've been looking through the Summerfield list and trying to limit myself (not easy). So if you had to choose between D. aurea and D. marginata...? (with D. zeyeri as a definite!)

Probably aurea for looks but marginata seems a bit easier! 

I get really good germination of all species but (with the exception of comata) the seedling bulbs seem to stay dormant in subsequent seasons and dwindle away. Paul Cumbleton tells me this is not an unusual experience. I suspect our summers (esp in northern parts) are usually not warm enough during the bulbs rest period. next year I might try putting a few in a propagator at 25C for a few weeks in late summer.

[Darren]

Polyxena ex silverhill 11157 blooming this week.

i think this one is Polyxena (Lachenalia) ensifolia or could it be P. pygmaea?
a bit over 2" tall

Thank you

The strongly reflexed petals and long tubes suggest pygmaea to me.

[Darren]

Rimmer,

 I found, when I used to grow several Massonia, that they need to be potted individually with a lot of space to flatten out all the way. I currently only have some M. depressa and it took them 3 years to mature and flower. I now grow 4 bulbs in a 12 inch pot, but even this leads to some crowding and leaves held partially erect. Some of the other species are much smaller and require less room.

 Aaron

I agree - they really want potting singly if you can afford the space. I've a few crowded pots of seedlings in a shady place under the bench but they look awful and don't flower properly.

[johnralphcarpenter]

Worth the wait though, Darren. What a pretty little plant. I've been looking through the Summerfield list and trying to limit myself (not easy). So if you had to choose between D. aurea and D. marginata...? (with D. zeyeri as a definite!)

What is the Summerfield list?

[Maggi Young]

What is the Summerfield list?

From the PBS sources page :

Summerfields Indigenous Bulbs and Seed
South Africa (No website)
Email: summerfields@telkomsa.net
Gordon Summerfield sells a large variety of South African bulb seeds, many identified by locality (so you can buy particular colors or forms). He also carries a smaller selection of bulbs. E-mail him for his catalog.

[johnralphcarpenter]

Thanks Maggi!

[Maggi Young]

My pleasure, Ralph - the list sounds most interesting.

[YT]

South African Oxalis luteola 'Splash' MV7689. Probably same as O. luteola 'Maculata'

[David Nicholson]

I have Gordon Summerfield's current List as a Word doc. if anyone wants a copy. Email to the address on my Profile and I'll send it.

[Rimmer de Vries]

Rimmer,

 I found, when I used to grow several Massonia, that they need to be potted individually with a lot of space to flatten out all the way. I currently only have some M. depressa and it took them 3 years to mature and flower. I now grow 4 bulbs in a 12 inch pot, but even this leads to some crowding and leaves held partially erect. Some of the other species are much smaller and require less room.

 Aaron

Thank you Aaron
is there a best time to thin out the seedlings into the individual pots?- while in growth? or?
Thank you Rimmer

[Rimmer de Vries]

South African Oxalis luteola 'Splash' MV7689. Probably same as O. luteola 'Maculata'

This is wonderful!
do you grow this in full sun?

Rimmer

[Afloden]

Rimmer,

 For the ones that go dormant (deciduous) I moved them during that time. For sempervirens and another that always wanted to be in growth I moved them whenever I thought they were inactive, but I always had big losses on those. It may have been the heat, or some other factor though.

 Aaron