The Bulb Maven

Calochortus

There are many Calochortus species in bloom now in the greenhouses.  The Calochortus season starts with Calochortus uniflorus, blooming as early as February, and now in seed.  By May, however, the later blooming species are opening their buds.  These are usually species from higher elevation, and some are not easy to grow.  I was very happy to see buds on Calochortus nuttallii this year, a species that I have struggled to grow.  it comes from the Great Basin, a region with blistering hot summers, bitterly cold winters and very little rainfall.  In our cool, damp climate, these are conditions that are impossible to reproduce, but I have been successful in getting some to maturity.  It is seen here to the right.

Calochortus bruneaunis is similar to C. nuttallii, coming from Idaho, Montana and Nevada.  It, too, grows in desert scrub. Here it is to the left.

Calochortus gunnisoni (ro the right) comes from the Rocky Mountains.  There are pink flowered forms and white flowered forms, both with a beautiful ring of golden hairs in the center.

Calochortus leichtlinii (to the left) is from the Sierra Nevada mountains, where it grows at fairly high elevation.  The pollen, as you can see from the picture, is deep purple.

Calochortus macrocarpus is a very widespread species, from southern British Columbia through Idaho, Nevada, Oregon and even into the far reaches of northeastern California.  It grows mostly is desert conditions. 

Calochortus greenei (to the right) is from the Oregon/California border.  While on my travels last year, I visited a region where it is reputed to grow, but found no trace.  Apparently, like many Calochortus, it can remain dormant for several years, so it may very well be there but taking a break.

www.telosrarebulbs.com

The Morning Walkabout

I usually post on the Walkabout of things that are blooming in the greenhouse or the garden, and sometimes sightings of special things like the time I saw two bald eagles fall out of the sky locked together in play or combat. Two days ago, however, my walkabout was somewhere else in the Sierra foothills, where I had gone on a very quick trip to gather some seed.

I used to live in that area, and I know it well. It is an area very rich in bulbs, so I can estimate the best time to go back to collect some seed, and I usually get it right. Every year is a bit different, but when we were in the area a month ago for our wildflower hiking and camping trip, I checked out several areas and found abundant bloom. This was actually unusual for this year, for it hasn't been a good year for flowers or seed production, but in two of the areas I visited, there had been massive clearing of brush along the roads, apparently for fire prevention, and in those areas the bloom was impressive, often in places where there had been little evidence of any bulbs existing at all. It has been postulated that after wildfires, which are frequent in this area, the blooming of bulbs is stimulated by the smoke produced by the fire, since smoke can stimulate seed germination and, possibly, flower production in bulbs. Other theories attribute the blooming to the release of nutrients through the ash produced. Well, in these areas there was no ash and no smoke, so it seems that it might just be the removal of competing vegetation or the exposure to more sunlight and warmth.

Most of my seed collecting takes place along the roads where the seed will fall in the ditches or on the road itself, so I certainly don't feel guilty about gathering the few pods I need. Our first stop was to collect some seeds of the beautiful pink flowered form of Calochortus tolmiei pcitured here. The seed pods are pendulous, and if the weather warms up suddenly they will open and drop the seeds all at once, so these seeds are not easy to time right. This time it worked well. Our next stop was at higher elevation for seeds of Calochortus monophyllus, where colonies stretch for miles along both sides of the road. The plants are so small that the seed pods can even bury themsleves in the duff, so they are very hard to see.

Our last stop was along a beautiful road that travels along a huge pool where water from the spillway of the Oroville dam falls. Here there are colonies of Calochortus albus growing on steep cliffs. It was very early morning, and the sun was rising, bathing the whole area in a golden glow and reflecting off the pool, with resident flocks of Canada geese flying low across the water. Acorn woodpeckers were chattering, mockingbirds singing, and many other birds in chorus. It felt like heaven.

I had to return home that day, a long seven hour drive, with one quick stop along the way to check out an area where Fritillaria purdyi grows, and was happy to find a couple in bloom, although most are in bud at this time.

We drove down our driveway at 6pm, right when the solar eclipse was at its maximum. I wanted so much to see it, but rushing around, getting the dogs squared away and my things out of the car, I pretty much gave up. Then I came down the stairs of the barn, and there dancing on the floor of the barn were dozens of 'rings of fire', the perfect image of the eclipse projected on the floor of the barn from the sunlight filtering through the leaves of the trees outside. I was thrilled.

www.telosrarebulbs.com

Griffinia

There are about ten to fifteen species in this Brazilian genus.  Most are blue flowered, and since they come from warm moist forests, the ones I have grown seem adapted to low light, making them suitable as house plants.  I have only three species, Griffinia espiritensis, seen here, Griffinia liboniana, having somewhat similar flowers and spotted leaves that are very attractive, and an unidentified species.  All three in my possession are small plants. and have been easy to grow.  My G. espiritensis blooms several times a year and offsets modestly.  the pictures I have taken of all of them simply don't do them justice.  The delicate flower, the shade of blue, and the lovely glossy leaves don't seem to come out well when photographed.  I have taken many pictures and discarded most of them, but this is the best I can do at present.

www.telosrarebulbs.com

Hippeastrum cybister

This lovely Hippeastrum is found in Bolivia and Argentina. I have four different accessions of Hippeastrum cybister in my collection, and they are all pure species, grown from seed by me, but are all a little different. This is not too surprising, considering the wide range this species occupies. Unfortunately, I do not have collection data on each accession, the seeds being sent to me by friends. One multiplies readily, while the other three offset to some degree, but not as vigoroursly. Here are two, in bloom now. The color and width of the tepals are distinctly different.

I am often asked if I have the one called 'Chico'. I don't know if this one is a hybrid or not, and have never seen it, but it is commercially available.

Once these have reached blooming size, they are very reliable, blooming in the spring after their winter dormancy.

I have several crosses in my collection between other species and H. cybister, and they are all very nice, but don't come close to the unusual beauty of the pure species. Here is my favorite. It is a cross between H. papilio x psittacinum and H. cybister.

 

www.telosrarebulbs.com

Urceolina microcrater

Returning home from a recent trip, I found my first bloom on Urceolina microcrater, a rare species from the eastern slopes of the Peruvian Andes.

 

www.telosrarebulbs.com

Lapeirousia

I used to grow several species in this wonderful South African genus, but only have one in my collection at the present, albeit one of the best.  It is Lapeirousia oreogena, and a real beauty.

 

www.telosrarebulbs.com

The Morning Walkabout

This winter we have had little rain, and along with clear skies at night, have had frost dusting the landscape each morning. Being so near to the ocean, frost is not a frequent occurrence here, and our temperatures still are mild with no damage to the plants. It has been a pleasure in the morning to walk around the property to see what we can see. There is much to see, even though we have just entered the month of March. I planted Hellebores in the garden about five or six years ago, and they have seeded everywhere, the seedlings now producing flowers of their own. In this damp climate it seems that every seed that hits the ground germinates, both a blessing and a curse, since weeding is a never ending chore. On the other hand, I have a large garden, and can dig up volunteer plants and put them elsewhere, otherwise I would be spending a large fortune at the local plant center.

I haven't planted many bulbs in the garden since gophers are a terrible problem here, plus the property floods in normal winters, and they would either get eaten or rot. My neighbors gave me some daffodil bulbs last year, though, safe to plant here since they are toxic and are not eaten by anything, and this year I have two wonderful swathes of their cheerful yellow flowers.

There is so much to see in the greenhouses it is hard to keep track of it all. The Oxalis are starting to fade a little. Around March, many will start to die off, and now I get impatient for it to be over so that I can remove the ratty foliage. We aren't quite there yet, so I can still enjoy the Oxalis obtusa for a couple more weeks. The South African gladioli are blooming, as are the Lachenalias. I have had some seeding into adjacent pots, giving me pots that are mixed species, so yesterday I had to get ruthless and just throw some pots away. It is hard to do, but things do not get better, and I don't want to be sending someone the wrong bulbs. The last two years I have cut all the flowers off the Lachenalias, but now I realize if I do this I don't know if there is a problem in a pot, so I must let the buds open before I remove the flowering stem.

This time of year I often have a project done on the house. When you own a house that is more than 100 years old, the work is never ending. You have to be the kind of person who actually enjoys the renovations. Recently I had the master bedroom completely remodeled. It was ugly, with two very large closets that took up a great deal of floor space and blocked a window, plus the ceiling was sagging, so it was gutted and redone. The work crew, seen here taking a break, is a pleasure to have around, and the results were fantastic. I rent my house out to vacationers in the summer, so although I never use this bedroom, I hope the guests will enjoy it.

The birds are getting restless. There is a little white crowned sparrow singing outside the window. Spring is here.

www.telosrarebulbs.com

Moraea

Coming into bloom now are the lovely Moraeas with their dainty flowers like little irises all in a rainbow of colors. Most Moraeas come from southern Africa, There are almost 200 species, and I wish I had all of them, but space is limited, and some are not easy to grow. There is some confusion with this genus, since in the horticultural trade plants are often sold as 'Moraea' that are actually Dietes. Dietes also come from southern Africa, but are much larger plants and are rhizomatous. while true Moraeas grow from corms. The flowers of Dietes may look similar, but the plants are evergreen, and make excellent landscape plants in mild climates, while the wispy, dainty Moraeas are better in a pot. Above you can see the lovely Moraea loubseri, and endangered species, with violet blue flowers that have a black furry center.

Moraea atropunctata is a short species with large flowers that are dotted with black and marked with salmon. The outer petals are also salmon, making the buds very beautiful.

To the right is the lovely pale blue Moraea calcicola.

Moraea tricolor is a very small species with brilliant flowers. Here it is to the left.

Moraea villosa must be everyone's favorite. It is beautiful, fairly easy to grow, and comes in a range of colors. I have chosen only a few of the colors to show you here below. There are so many more beautiful Moraeas, and pictures of some can be seen on the web site: www.telosrarebulbs.com. Again, I apologise for the formatting. I arrange things carefully, but when I publish it comes out totally different. Very frustrating.

www.telosrarebulbs.com

 

 

 

The Morning Walkabout

It has been a very mild, and very dry, winter here in northern California, with one sunny day after another.  While this may be a pleasure here in this damp, soggy valley, it may be a problem for the rest of the state.  We were over to an agility trial last weekend near Sacramento, and the hills of the Coast Range are brown from the dry grasses of last year, looking more like the middle of summer than February.  Usually by this time the hills are green and a few early wildflowers are just starting to bloom, so this will be a poor year for flowers.  Agriculture in California mostly depends on irrigation, and with the reservoirs still very full from the previous heavy winter, if this is an abnormally dry winter, we can usually get by.  We have, though, had long spells of drought.  I remember one seven year cycle with the reservoir where I lived (one of the largest in California), reduced to a mere mud puddle.

The mild temperatures and lower humidity have been very beneficial for the bulbs, however.  Fungal disease is the most serious problem for a bulb grower, and in these conditions, it is minimal.  Oxalis have done wonderfully well this season, and it is a delight to enter the greenhouse and see a lush carpet of color from their lovely blooms.  I stroll down the aisles looking carefully in each pot, to see if anything new has popped up.  I get some seeding from my Oxalis obtusa species, and I examine the pots carefully to see if a new color has emerged.  Then I must extract the one bulb from the pot and pot it up.  This is not as easy as it sounds.  When I discovered Oxalis obtusa 'Elizabeth' in a pot of differently colored Oxalis, I had to take a small clump out.  Then I had a pot of mixed colors, and it took four years to make sure I had a pot of pure 'Elizabeth' before I could offer it.  I managed to get one bulb of a lovely new one which I think I will call 'Sundisc'.  Here it is above.

Many other lovely species are blooming now.  I have several color forms of Veltheimia bracteata, one a beautiful cream flushed lightly with pink.  I have seedlings coming along, but I have to be sure they come true from seed before I can offer them. 

I am very fond of Cyrtanthus, and a new one (for me) is in bloom now, Cyrtanthus mackenii v. cooperi.  Here it is to the right.

 

There are very few double flowered Oxalis.  I have only three in my collection, and would love to have more.  Here is Oxalis compressa 'Pom-Pom', with perfectly round yellow pom-poms.

 

 

 

Also in bloom is Canarina canariensis.  This is not a bulb, but grows from a knobby tuber, and has lovely flowers like lampshades.  It has a rather lax habit, and would probably do well in a hanging basket.

While this may be a dreary time of year for many, this is a blessed time of year in the nursery, with shoots emerging everywhere, and many bulbs in full bloom.  Shipping orders has started, but the pressure of the summer shipping season is still far away.  I have time to attend the dog trials and work on projects in the garden, activities that must be put on hold in the summer.  I still look forward to summer, though, for each season has its rewards, and the lovely long evenings when I can take the dogs to the beach, weed the garden, or train my dogs are evenings I treasure.

www.telosrarebulbs.com

Pamianthe peruviana

Pamianthe peruviana, the stunning bulb from Peru, is in bloom.  These incredible bulbs grow as epiphytes on tree branches, and I grow mine like orchids in indirect light.  The flower tube is about 10" (25cm) long, and the flowers are heavily scented.  I used to have many bulbs of Pamainthe peruviana, but suffered a catastrophe that killed most of them and all of my seedlings.  I still have four bulbs, and the most mature is in bloom now.  In the past my mature bulbs have supported a pair of the enormous fragrant flowers, but this year there are four.  Something strange has happened, though.  The anthers have split, but they look dried up and there is no pollen.  This has never happened before, as you can see in the other photograph from a previous year where the pollen is obvious.  The temperatures at night have been colder than usual, and we have recently had rain, so maybe this is because of environmental factors.  Unless I can find someone with a blooming bulb who will send pollen, I doubt there will be seeds from this year.  I have moved it from the greenhouse to my kitchen in the hope that the warmer temperatures will induce the remaining anthers to produce viable pollen, but so far things look grim.  I will post a question on the bulb forum of the Pacific Bulb Society (www.pacificbulbsociety.org) to see if anyone has any ideas about this.  I should mention that PBS is a great resource for information about bulbs.

www.telosrarebulbs.com