The Bulb Maven

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.

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Phaedranassa

Phaedranassa is a genus in the  family Amaryllidaceae which includes nine species, six of which are found only in Ecuador, the remaining three being from Colombia, Costa Rica and Peru. They are largely montane species, where they grow in disturbed areas, often colonizing road cuts, and usually coming into bloom after the dry summer season in their native lands. These beautiful bulbs are characterized by having leaves that are glossy green, greyish-green, or covered in a dusty bloom. The flowers are produced in an umbel, most species having large tubular pink or red flowers that are variously banded in green, with anywhere from five or six flowers to fourteen or fifteen to an umbel. The one species that is different from the others is P. viridiflora, seen here to the left, with yellow flowers banded green. 

While some other amaryllids can be challenging to grow and bring into bloom, Phaedranassas have proved extremely easy and obliging. After reaching maturity, they will bloom every year. I grow them in a mix high in organic material, and they have grown and increased well in anywhere from a one to a five gallon container. They need regular fertilization, since some species are quite vigorous, and they need to reach a certain critical size before they bloom. These bulbs are not frost-hardy and since they grow rather shallowly with the neck just barely exposed, freezing could potentially damage the bulb, and it is advisable to grow them in a greenhouse in anything but the mildest climates.  P. glauciflora is seen here above to the right.

It is often said in reference books that phaedranassas can be brought into bloom at any time of year by withholding water for two months, then resuming watering. I have tried this, and it works! It doesn't seem to matter at all whether they are kept cool or warm during this forced dormancy, and they generally bloom about eight weeks after watering has been resumed. Using this technique, therefore, one could bring them into bloom for the winter months. With bright light, Phaedranassas can be successfully grown as houseplants.  Here is P. dubia to the left.

Most of this description I originally wrote for the Pacific Bulb Society wiki, which has more photographs and information, and is an excellent resource:  http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/

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Pamianthe peruviana

Pamianthe is a small genus of two species of the most spectacular bulbs from Peru, but also occurring in Ecuador and Bolivia.  I usually post on species when they are blooming, and my bulbs are not blooming this year, having produced so many flowers last year they are a bit exhausted and needing a year off.  I am repotting mine now, and it prompted me to post on them.

Pamianthe peruviana grows as an epiphyte on tree branches in filtered shade.  I grow mine in my office where they seem to enjoy the indirect light and very even temperatures.  I had tried them in the greenhouses, but they were not happy there, probably because the light is too intense and the temperatures swing drastically.  In my conditions, they bloom in late winter. 

The bulbs grow somewhat horizontally, with the arching leaves cascading downward.  I grow them in a loose mix suitable for orchids, since that is what they think they are.  I haven't found them difficult -- the difficulty is obtaining seed or bulbs then providing the conditions they need. 

"Spectacular" is a rather overworked word, but there isn't any other way to describe the flower.  It is huge, the tube is at least 25cm in length and must need a very specialized pollinator.  The flowers measure about 15cm across and are produced in pairs on very short stems and the scent is heavenly.  They are self-compatible, producing large seed pods that take 15 months to mature.  Yes, they do!!  I can vouch for that.  I suppose near the equator, not bound by seasonal variations, plants can take whatever time they need to grow and mature their seed. 

This is a must have for the serious plant collector. 

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Hymenocallis

Hymenocallis is a large genus, with species that come from the southeastern part of the United States, Mexico, Central America, and a few in South America.  They are mostly from regions that get year-round rain, although the Mexican species are from drier habitats.  I have quite a few species, some of which I have not been able to identify.  Their lovely spidery flowers appear for me from June onwards.

To the left is H. eucharidifolia, with broad green leaves and substantial flowers.  It is from Mexico, and grows about 12-18" tall.  It is easy to grow, and can be treated as a houseplant given bright light indoors.  Here, below is a close up of the flower.  I am growing these, and most of the moisture-loving species in plastic wading pools that I fill to about six inches with water, then allow to dry a little between refilling them.

Hymenocallis maximiliani, seen to the left, is a much larger plant, very suitable for the garden in warm climates, where it will form large clumps.  It is from the Mexican state of Guerrero. The flowers are sweetly fragrant, and are produced freely throughout the summer.

There are much smaller versions of Hymenocallis.  H. palmeri, seen to the left, only grows a few inches tall.  These bulbs are growing in a two gallon pot.  The flowers, however, are very large, the petals (tepals) being green and spreading to about five or six inches.  It is commonly known as the 'Alligator Lily', since it is from Florida and grows where alligators are found!  I wouldn't want to try to collect this one.

Another large clumping Hymenocallis is H. littoralis, with elegant spidery flowers.  It is seen here to the left, and comes from Mexico and Guatemala.  It loves heat and moisture, and does well in my greenhouses.

H. harrisiana also comes from Mexico, where it grows in grasslands at elevations up to 6000' .  While the species from Florida and the southeast like wet conditions, usually growing in swamplands or along slowly moving streams, those from Mexico prefer drier conditions.  This is a medium sized plant, with very delicate fragrant flowers.  It is seen here to the right.

H. sonorensis, comes, as you might imagine, from the Mexican state of Sonora.  It has grey leaves that are only about six inches in height, with a flowering stem that is short.  Again the flowers are large, and this species also prefers somewhat drier conditions.  It is seen here to the left.

And last, but not least, is a tiny Hymenocallis that remains unidentified.  It has grey narrow leaves and a rather unique profile, with the cup held above the tepals which are very narrow.  Here it is to the left.

I have about twenty other species, some of which have not yet bloomed.  These are lovely plants, not difficult to grow, with some suited for the garden, others as container plants, and some even suitable as houseplants.  The leaves are attractive, and they are very trouble free as far as pests and disease are concerned.

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Veltheimia

 In Victorian times, the lovely Veltheimia bracteata, see to the left, was much loved as a parlor plant.  This beautiful bulb comes from the eastern portion of South Africa, from regions that receive rain year-round, where it grows in shade or semi shade.  Most bulbs need a lot of sun, but V. bracteata can do well in shade, and even adapt to conditions indoors, given as much bright light as possible, but no direct sun.  The beautiful wavy emerald green leaves are attractive enough in themselves, but in late spring or early summer the bulbs send up a tightly packed bud which opens into tubular flowers that are usually pink.   There is a much less common yellow form, seen here to the right, and even less common ivory or white ones, sometimes flushed with pink. 

The bulbs become quite large, and will, with time, produce offsets.  They have a short dormancy in mid to late summer, at which time the dying leaves can be removed.  Soon after a new set of shiny green leaves will emerge.  It is important to keep V. bracteata moist (but not wet) throughout the year, and application of a liquid all- purpose fertilizer during its growth cycle in the winter is beneficial.

There is another species, Veltheimia capensis, seen here to the left, which comes from the western region of the Cape Province of South Africa, where the climate is Mediterranean, with cool rainy winters and hot dry summers.  This Veltheimia needs completely different growing conditions, with as much sun as possible during its winter growth, and a fairly long dry dormancy in summer.  The leaves are a glaucous grey, and are ruffled along the edges.  Unfortunately, this one is not suitable as a house plant, since it needs a lot of sun.  Here, to the right, are its attractive inflated seed pods.

Both species can be suitable as garden plants, given the right conditions.  They are not particularly hardy, but can withstand a few degrees of frost, so are best on the California coast, or in southern California gardens.  V. bracteata is more suitable for the irrigated garden, while V. capensis is an excellent plant for the dry garden, and both adapt very well to container culture.  For greenhouses, they are superb, and will reliably flower and multiply.

It's a pity that these lovely bulbs have fallen out of style as houseplants, especially when you see the dismal offerings of most garden centers labeled 'Foliage Plant'.  If you can tolerate about two months of dormancy with V. bracteata, you will have a lovely houseplant that blooms spectacularly every year.  What more could you want?

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