The Bulb Maven

The day to day running of my bulb nursery, Telos Rare Bulbs, plus travels and other trivia.

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February 2018

February 20, 2018

Pamianthe peruviana

IMG_1907
The stunning bulb from Peru, Pamianthe peruviana, is in bloom now.  This incredibly beautiful bulb is from Peru, where it grows as an epiphyte on tree branches.  The flowering tube is about 25cm long, and is so strongly scented that I can smell the perfume even before I open the greenhouse door in the morning.  They are pollinated by moths, I believe. 

My bulbs don't bloom every year, and in recent years I have only had one bulb bloom at a time, but this year two are currently in bloom, and (oh joy!), this morning I saw another fat bud emerging from a third bulb.  I think the production of these enormous flowers drains the bulb of so much energy, they just can't do a repeat performance every year, so I am very thrilled that I will have three bulbs blooming and the possibility of seed this year.  I have only once had seed from one of my plants, after which it took a couple of years to recover and start blooming regularly.  The seed takes 15 months to mature.  I didn't believe that, it seemed so strange, but that is exactly what happened with my plant.  I think plants from equatorial regions just make their own rules about blooming and setting seed, not having distinct seasons to tell them what to do.

I will save the pollen from my three plants and freeze it so that if I have one bulb blooming in the future I can pollinate it.  I have read that they will accept their own pollen, but this hasn't been the case with my plants.  Unfortunately, right now I don't have any for sale, although I do have a tray of immature bulbs, but separating them is going to be a big job, and I am not ready to do that yet.

www.telosrarebulbs.com

Posted at 04:08 PM in South American bulbs | Permalink

February 18, 2018

Hippeastrum idimae

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There are so many species blooming in the greenhouses right now that it is difficult to choose what to post on, but this little gem certainly deserves a mention.  Hippeastrum idimae comes from Brazil, in the state of Rio de Janiero.  It is a recently described species, only being discovered or recognized in 2017.  This is a tiny Hippeastrum, the flower is only about 1" on a stem (in my plants) of 6".  I thought when the flower emerged it would be more like a Rhodophiala, but it is definitely looks like a tiny Hippeastrum, although it may be closely related to Griffinia.  This is a tropical plant that needs warmth, and it is safely ensconced on one of my heated benches.  I have little experience with this species, only having acquired it last year, so I don't know how  difficult it will be to propagate, and it might be a while before I have any to share.

The Telos Rare Bulbs web site has been updated for 2018.  A very big job that I have been working on for the last two months.  There are new pages for Babiana, Sparaxis, Geissorhiza, Ixia and Lapeirousia, but they are not complete, I am waiting to get pictures. Many haven't bloomed yet, and I am not sure yet of the quantities I will have, so please be patient and I will add availability and pictures as time goes on.

www.telosrarebulbs.com

 

Posted at 07:51 AM in South American bulbs | Permalink

February 01, 2018

Lapeirousia

Oreogena
Lapeirousia is a genus of about 40 species from sub-Saharan Africa.  They are small dainty plants with bright showy flowers, some are even scented.  I only have a small collection, but I am growing more as space allows, and, as usual, I have become quite captivated by them.  This is a common affliction I suffer from, in the fall I was stricken with Crocus fever when my tiny collection of fall blooming Crocus came into bloom.  I keep extending my greenhouses, or having new ones built, so I currently have a little more room than in the past, so I can indulge myself somewhat.  The one pictured above is Lapeirousia oreogena, a favorite.

Jacquinii

The genus was named after the botanist Philippe-Isidore Picotde Lapeyrouse, explaining the rather cumbersome name.  The plants grow from a small corm and the ones I grow are rarely more than 10cm tall, usually smaller, but they usually bloom prolifically and would be very suitable for a small greenhouse or sun porch.  They could probably be grown in the ground in suitable climates, but I think would be better appreciated as a container plant.  Above is Lapeirousia jacquinii, pictured below is Lapeirousia silenoides. Silendoides5

www.telosrarebulbs.com

Posted at 08:22 AM in South African bulbs | Permalink

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