The Bulb Maven

Hippeastrum psittacinum

I have often been asked what the 'secret' is to growing bulbs,especially ones that can be reluctant to bloom. While potting mix is very important, and providing an environment as close to the climate it grows in is critical, I would say patience is the most important ingredient.  Sometimes I have waited many, many years for a bulb to bloom, but eventually it does happen.

I have had a bulb labeled Hippeastrum glaucescens for some years, and it finally has rewarded me with a flower.  I was a bit puzzled since the flower did not resemble pictures on the internet and scholarly articles on Hippeastrum are few and far between, so identifying a bulb can be problematic.  I posted on the blog under H. glaucescens and a kind reader corrected me and says it is Hippeastrum psittacinum, also a very welcome species!

The name means parrot like, referring to the brilliant coloring.  It is from Brazil and grows in full sun to partial shade.  I have kept mine on my heated benches, and that was a lucky guess!

 

 

www.telosrarebulbs.com

Hippeastrum yungacense

The weather is hideous, constant rain and very violent winds, but when I walk into the greenhouses it is calm and there is always something to cheer me.  Some of my Hippeastrums are blooming now, and Hippeastrum yungacense is especially beautiful. I have three accessions of this species and they are all slightly different.  The one pictured above is my favorite with especially bright colors.

Hippeastrum yungacense is native to Bolivia, as are many wonderful bulbs. It derives its name from a stretch of forest along the eastern slope of the Andes, running from Peru and Bolivia to northern Argentina.  The Bolivian Yungas ranges from 400 to 3500 meters (1,300 to 11,500 ft.), and is largely a very warm moist forest, so I would guess that this species prefers some shade and extra moisture and humidity.  Even so, I am still growing it in a mixture of horticultural pumice and peat (about 50/50) and it seems happy. This is a very cool climate here, so I was right in placing it on my heating mats.  This is also a foggy climate, so our humidity should suit it fine.

 

www.telosrarebulbs.com

Phaedranassa schizantha ssp. ignea

A few years ago I was offered this amazing species in trade for a bulb I had, and I accepted eagerly.  It looked like a mature bulb, and Phaedranassas are usually easy to bloom, but this one grew and produced one or two offsets, but no flower.  Two months ago I put it on a heated mat, just to see if it would stimulate it to bloom.  It worked!!  I was so thrilled to see a bud emerging.  this isn't the best photograph, since my camera has given up the ghost.  A new one is on its way, so I took the picture with my iPad.  A tiny snail got to it first also, but most of the buds are still intact.  Most of my Phaedranassas are self-compatible and will produce seeds with their own pollen, so I will be even more ecstatic if this proves to be the case with this one.

Phaedranassa schizantha ssp. ignea is extremely rare and listed as threatened. It comes from a very restricted area in Ecuador where it is threatened by habitat destruction.  It grows in subtropical conditions in dry valleys, and from my experience seems to enjoy a bit more warmth than the other species.  Hopefully, I will have some bulbs to share one day (not now, unfortunately).

www.telosrarebulbs.com