South African Bulbs 2014

Submitted by Fermi on Sun, 03/09/2014 - 07:30

I thought I should start a new topic as the previous Sth African Bulbs Thread seems to have 3 identical pages at the end!

The main flowering of South African Bulbs at present are the Amaryllis belladonna cultivars - most likely they are hybrids with other amaryllids,

cheers

fermi

cerise Amaryllis belladonna
Amaryllis belladonna seedlings in flower
Amaryllis belladonna Picottee form
Amaryllis belladonna - stripey

Comments


Submitted by Fermi on Wed, 03/12/2014 - 02:27

Another couple of Amaryllis belladonna seedlings - one nearly white, one a mid-pink,

near white and mid-pink Belladonna Lilies

cheers

fermi

near white and mid-pink Belladonna Lilies

Crossyne flava is another South African amaryllid - a week ago there was no sign of it above ground, today it's in full flower!

Crossyne flava Crossyne flava

cheers

fermi

Crossyne flava
Crossyne flava

I'm a little jealous, Fermi! I have tried Amaryllis belladonna outside here but they dislike my climatefrown

At the moment I have only one South African bulb in flower  (inside) - a quite ordinary Clivia miniata - but I like it!

 


Trond,

that's still a good clivia no matter how varied the hybrids get.

In our garden the hardiest of the nerines are in flower:

Nerine "fothergilla Major" (now considered a form of N. sarniensis

Nerine fothergilla Major Nerine fothergilla Major

The smaller and brightly colored Nerine rosea

Nerine rosea Nerine rosea

cheers

fermi

Nerine fothergilla Major
Nerine fothergilla Major
Nerine rosea
Nerine rosea

Submitted by RickR on Tue, 04/08/2014 - 20:45

Fermi, it looks like those red nerine bulbs are at the soil surface !?


Hi Rick,

yes, this clump started with 3 bulbs planted about 10 years ago and as they multiply and "clump up" they tend to push themselves out of the ground. When replanting, the "neck" of the bulb should be left exposed,

cheers

fermi


Submitted by Fermi on Sun, 04/13/2014 - 08:15

In reply to by Fermi

Oxalis flava (mauve form) does well in our garden without getting out of hand!

cheers

fermi

Oxalis flava mauve form
Oxalis flava mauve form

Submitted by Michael J Campbell on Mon, 04/14/2014 - 14:01

A few Moraeas.

Moraea tulbagensis x 3.

Moraea villosa

Moraea aristata

Moraea tulbagensis
Moraea tulbagensis
Moraea tulbagensis
Moraea villosa
Moraea aristata

Submitted by Michael J Campbell on Mon, 04/14/2014 - 14:05

In reply to by Michael J Campbell

Moraea vegata

Moraea atropunctata

Moraea vegata
Moraea atropunctata

Submitted by RickR on Mon, 04/14/2014 - 15:53

Spectacular, Michael.

I never knew there would or could be color on the petal undersides until I spied it in your M. aristata pic.!


Great to see these, guys! I don't fret at all about the ornamental plants I could grow outdoors if I were a  couple of zones warmer, but if i were warm enough for SA etc plants outside, that would be worthwhile ;)

Those Moraeas are zowie, Michael!


Another Oxalis flowering now is reputedly difficult to get to bloom, but it seems to enjoy our climate - a bit too much actuallysurpriseas it spreads rapidly underground and really needs to be contained. Ideally it should be grown as a single pot specimen so you can appreciate its palm-like foliage, 

cheers

fermi

Oxalis palmifrons in flower
Oxalis palmifrons unfurling foliage and flower-buds

For the first time I've found some variation amongst the Moraea polystachya seeding themselves around the garden!

This white one opened for the first time on the weekend

Moraea polystachya alba Moraea polystachya alba

and this morning (in the rain) I had a look at a couple of its neighbors - a smaller plant also has white buds and another has a pale exterior to 2 of the 3 falls. In all the years (admitted less than a dozen) of growing these from seed these are the first variations and (so far) only in one small cluster of plants

cheers
fermi

 

Moraea polystachya alba
Moraea polystachya alba

The diminutive Lapeirousia montana grown from seed and appearing in a mauve form - 2 years ago a white form with mauve markings flowered but there was no obvious top growth last year and I thought it had died out without setting seed,

Lapeirousia montana

cheers

fermi

Lapeirousia montana

Thanks, Claire, the second plant flowered with very pale, almost white flowers with mauve markings.

Flowering over the last 2 weeks has been another South African irid, Hesperantha humilis, grown from AGS Seedex

Hesperantha humilis Hesperantha humilis

Sadly one of the plants in the first pot appears to be virused as the center is paler and there are stripes in the petals (it's not seedling variation as the two plants are divisions from one cormfrown)

cheers

fermi

Hesperantha humilis
Hesperantha humilis

Trond,

it may not be a virus which kills the plant but it could infect other plantssad.

I hope to get some seed from it then I'll have to separate it from its companion which is not infected (at this stage!) so it may survive another year till I know which is which! it maybe able to be grown somewhere where it won't harm other plants

cheers

fermi


Submitted by Fermi on Mon, 08/04/2014 - 02:10

In reply to by Fermi

We have a number of romulea which we grow in pots because of the risk of them being dug up by the cockatoos which dig up corms in the ground of the weedy species which infest the area. This is a nice one I grew from seed from NZAGS, Romulea flava

Romulea.flava.exterior Romulea.flava.

cheers

fermi

 

Romulea.flava.exterior
Romulea.flava.

Submitted by Fermi on Tue, 08/05/2014 - 19:27

Another little South African bulb in flower now, Lachenalia kliprandensis,

Lachenalia kliprandensis

cheers

fermi

Lachenalia kliprandensis

This seems a popular thread, i'd better keep posting picswink

Romulea sabulosa has brilliant flowers but they only open in bright sunshine and today's weather wasn't conducive to this, but at least one opened to enough to get a pic,

cheers

fermi


S.A. bulbs are very interesting and I wish I had time and space to grow any. Have tried a few but they need more care than I can give them.

Romulea sabulosa is indeed brilliant!


Hi Trond,

I certainly find them interesting as they do well in our climate!

Here are a few more:

Romulea hirta, Romulea flava (yellow form) - this came up as a volunteer in a crocus pot, Moraea macronyx, Hesperantha pauciflora (magenta) and finally another Romulea sabulosa - this one grown from seed from the NZ AGS Seedex,

cheers

fermi

 

Romulea hirta
Romulea flava
Moraea macronyx
Hesperantha pauciflora (magenta)
Romulea sabulosa

Submitted by Fermi on Mon, 08/25/2014 - 05:59

In reply to by Fermi

Gladiolus abbreviatus growing in a pot.

Previously known as Homoglossum abbreviatum,

cheers

fermi

Gladiolus abbreviatus
Gladiolus abbreviatus

Submitted by RickR on Mon, 08/25/2014 - 19:33

I suppose only a true plant geek could love that glad.

 

Count me in!


[quote=RickR]

I suppose only a true plant geek could love that glad.

 

Count me in!

[/quote]

Me too Rick ....smiley


Submitted by Fermi on Thu, 08/28/2014 - 08:29

In reply to by Toole

I'll let you know if it sets seed, Dave!

The frosts this year have put paid to some of the flowering on some slightly tender things like Pelargonium tristefrown and even Babaina odorata surprise.The initial buds on Babiana pygmaea were also taken but a few have now openedsmiley

Babiana pygmaea

cheers

fermi

Babiana pygmaea

A couple of Lachenalias now in flower:

Lachenalia concordiana

Lachenalia concordiana

Lachenalia bolusii

Lachenalia bolusiiLachenalia bolusii

Both grown from seed from Silver Hills Seeds many years ago,

cheers

fermi

Lachenalia concordiana
Lachenalia bolusii
Lachenalia bolusii

I had this "catalogued" in my mind as Moraea fugax but it's actually Moraea fugacissima, (syn Galaxia fugacissima)! very different in appearance,

Moraea fugacissima

cheers

fermi

Moraea fugacissima

A better pic of Gladiolus gracilis

Gladiolus gracilis

Gladiolus tristis opening its first flower

Gladiolus tristis Gladiolus tristis Gladiolus tristis

And a couple of lachenalias:

Lachenalia aloides "Green"

Lachenalia aloides "Green"

Lachenalia mutabilis

Lachenalia mutabilis

cheers

fermi

Gladiolus gracilis
Gladiolus tristis
Gladiolus tristis
Gladiolus tristis
Lachenalia aloides "Green"
Lachenalia mutabilis

Geissorhiza ornithogaloides grown from NZAGS Seedex 2010, sown 2011, first flowered 2012,

Geissorhiza ornithogaloidesGeissorhiza ornithogaloides

Also from NZAGS Geissorhiza receievd as G. inflexa but probably Geissorhiza aspera

Geissorhiza maybe aspera

cheers

fermi

Geissorhiza ornithogaloides
Geissorhiza ornithogaloides
Geissorhiza maybe aspera

Bulbinella triquetra is a dainty little thing from South Africa

Bulbinella triquetra

Bulbinella cauda-felis has pink buds opening to white flowers

Bulbinella cauda-felis

cheers

fermi

Bulbinella triquetra
Bulbinella cauda-felis

Some more spring flowering South African geophytes:

Babiana cedarbergensis

Babiana cedarbergensisBabiana cedarbergensis

Moraea bipartita

Moraea bipartita

Geissorhiza tulbaghensis

Geissorhiza tulbaghensisGeissorhiza tulbaghensis

cheers

fermi

Babiana cedarbergensis
Babiana cedarbergensis
Moraea bipartita
Geissorhiza tulbaghensis
Geissorhiza tulbaghensis

Hesperantha vaginata ssp stanfordiae

Hesperantha vaginata ssp stanfordiaeHesperantha vaginata ssp stanfordiae

The type species has striking black markings but this subspecies or variety is mostly plain yellow.

Previously I posted a pic of what I received as Geissorhiza inflexa but I thought might be G. aspera; now a second, shorter seedling has flowered and it appears to be different - I wonder if this is the true Geissorhiza inflexa? 

Geissorhiza- 2 types?Geissorhiza,maybe.inflexa?Geissorhiza,maybe.inflexa?

when I grew this years ago it was the red form but I seem to remember that it was upright like this one - any comments?

cheers

fermi

Hesperantha vaginata ssp stanfordiae
Hesperantha vaginata ssp stanfordiae
Geissorhiza- 2 types?
Geissorhiza,maybe.inflexa?
Geissorhiza,maybe.inflexa?

Freesia sparrmanii is a dwarf species which is floriferous but sadly unscented; the second pic shows a comparison with a "normal" sized freesia

Freesia sparrmaniiFreesia sparrmanii with a typical freesia for comparison

cheers

fermi

Freesia sparrmanii
Freesia sparrmanii with a typical freesia for comparison

Well, Claire, I have been called that beforecheeky, but I'll presume you're referring to the Gladdie which is one of the "orchid type".

Flowering in the rock garden, where the foliage has been munched off by molluscsfrown​, is Lachenalia splendida,

Lachenalia splendida

Moraea spathulata

.Moraea.spathulata..Moraea.spathulata.

cheers

fermi

Lachenalia splendida
.Moraea.spathulata.
.Moraea.spathulata.

I remember seeing Lachenalia in flower in South Africa many years ago and dreamed of growing some at home.

I have never dared try due to weather conditions and molluscs. Semms your molluscs are very modest, Fermiyes


Trond,

the molluscs were "dealt with" after they decimated the foliage but before the flowers emerged!      

cheers

fermi


Submitted by Fermi on Fri, 09/26/2014 - 00:36

In reply to by Fermi

This little gladdie was raised by Greg Boldiston, Longinomus Plants, Romsey, and I bought it a month ago and It's just starting to bloom now.

Gladiolus stellatus is on the endangered list in RSA; the pics were taken this morning and I think the flowers expand more in the sun,

Gladiolus stellatus Gladiolus stellatus

cheers

fermi

 

Gladiolus stellatus
Gladiolus stellatus

[quote=Fermi]

Gladiolus stellatus ... the pics were taken this morning and I think the flowers expand more in the sun,

[/quote]

Yes, they do, but they close up in late afternoon!

Gladiolus stellatus

Here's a selection of some of the spring flowering Cape bulbs in pots

mixed S.A. flowersmixed S.A. flowers

The purple is Geissorhiza monanthos which I grew from seed from Gordon Summerfield in 2010 which shows a fair bit of variation,

Geissorhiza monanthos mixGeissorhiza monanthos white centerGeissorhiza monanthos dark centerGeissorhiza monanthos dark ring with pale center

cheers

fermi

Gladiolus stellatus
mixed S.A. flowers
mixed S.A. flowers
Geissorhiza monanthos mix
Geissorhiza monanthos white center
Geissorhiza monanthos dark center
Geissorhiza monanthos dark ring with pale center

Submitted by Hoy on Sun, 09/28/2014 - 12:37

In reply to by Fermi

You do have a colourful collection to show! I am jealouswink 

That Gladiolus stellatus is a little sweetie, doesn't look like a Gladiolus.

 

Do you grow this Gladiolus (forgotten the name) which I pictured in Kenya some years ago?


[quote=Hoy]

Do you grow this Gladiolus (forgotten the name) which I pictured in Kenya some years ago?

 

[/quote]

Hi Trond,

according to John Grimshaw's blog (http://johngrimshawsgardendiary.blogspot.com.au/2010/08/gladiolus-watsonioides.html) it's Gladiolus watsonioides- not one I've grown but now I'm temptedcheeky - and its seed is allowed into Australia!

Here's a sparaxis which used to be known as Strepthanthera  which came up in the garden - possibly from seed tossed out after a clean up in the house!

Strepthanthera syn Sparaxis elegansStrepthanthera syn Sparaxis elegans

cheers

fermi

 

 

Strepthanthera syn Sparaxis elegans
Strepthanthera syn Sparaxis elegans

Submitted by Fermi on Tue, 09/30/2014 - 05:57

In reply to by Fermi

Hesperantha bachmannii is unusual with it's reflexed pure white flowers which open in the late afternoon

Hesperantha bachmannii

but it can appear in other pots from scattered seed, so beware if you don't dead-head it!

cheers

fermi

Hesperantha bachmannii

Submitted by RickR on Sat, 10/04/2014 - 18:43

I had never noticed the satin appearance before, but am always quite taken by the Geissorhiza species anyway.

Radians and monanthos are fabulous!  (As are all the others you all down under grow!)


Rick,

glad you like them. I grow them in pots because they're from seed, they're small and I'm not sure how they'd go in the open garden; probably would be okay in a trough or a raised bed which could be kept dry while the bulbs are dormant during summer.

This is a long, lanky babiana called Babiana spathacea which is from seed from Silverhills Seeds a long time ago and comes in a cream and a white form,

Babiana spathaceaBabiana spathaceaBabiana spathaceaBabiana spathacea

cheers

fermi

Babiana spathacea
Babiana spathacea
Babiana spathacea
Babiana spathacea

Submitted by Fermi on Wed, 10/08/2014 - 06:12

In reply to by Fermi

Yet another Geissorhiza! This was grown from NZAGS Seedex 2011 as Geissorhiza darlingensis,

Geissorhiza.darlingensis.NZAGS.2011.Geissorhiza.darlingensis.NZAGS.2011.Geissorhiza.darlingensis.NZAGS.2011.Geissorhiza.darlingensis.NZAGS.2011.

The first two pics were taken in the morning as it was opening, the other two later in the day,

cheers

fermi

Geissorhiza.darlingensis.NZAGS.2011.
Geissorhiza.darlingensis.NZAGS.2011.
Geissorhiza.darlingensis.NZAGS.2011.
Geissorhiza.darlingensis.NZAGS.2011.

It's ixia time! This mass of mixed ixias is the result of re-seeding and mixing of a number of species grown from seed.

mixed ixiasmixed ixiasmixed ixias

Growing away from these is a clump of the "blue" ixia which I believe is a hybrid from Ixia viridflora; here is one of its seedlings which hasn't got the dark center of the parent,

seedling of ixia viridiflora hybridseedling of ixia viridiflora hybrid

cheers

fermi

mixed ixias
mixed ixias
mixed ixias
seedling of ixia viridiflora hybrid
seedling of ixia viridiflora hybrid

The eagle-eyed amongst you may've noticed a non-ixia in the front of the middle pic.

This is a gladdie which came up and I have no record of planting it. I posted a pic last year and someone suggested that it's a Gladiolus tristis hybrid,

Gladiolus.maybe.tristis.hybrid.Gladiolus.maybe.tristis.hybrid.

cheers

fermi

Gladiolus.maybe.tristis.hybrid.
Gladiolus.maybe.tristis.hybrid.

I grew this gladdie from NARGS 2007 Seedex as G. permeabilis, but I think it's actually Gladiolus wilsonii; it first flowered in 2010. I've found that it needs lots of water while in growth so I grow it in a tray and try to keep it damp till the seeds are ripe,

Gladiolus wilsoniiGladiolus wilsonii

cheers

fermi

 

Gladiolus wilsonii
Gladiolus wilsonii

This Moraea came up as a "volunteer" in a pot of Dichelostemma I got from Garry Reid, a "local" grower of a huge number of geophytes from all over the world.

Moraea maybe gracilenta

I think it is Moraea gracilenta: it has a single basal leaf and a long arching spike of flowers with a few opening at a time in late afternoon and closing before dark; usually I only get seed if two plants are in flower and this year only one - so no seedfrown

cheers

fermi

Moraea maybe gracilenta