The Bulb Maven

The Morning Walkabout

I have posted previously on the California Fritillarias, and a few are already blooming.  The lovely little Fritillaria purdyi (seen here) is in bloom, with waxy flowers like Tiffany lamp shades.  This is a small plant, only about three inches tall, but the flowers are a good one inch in diameter.  They are the kind of flower that needs close inspection to appreciate their intricacy.  F. striata has been in bloom for about a month.  This is one of the truly outstanding western Fritillarias.  Not only are the flowers beautiful, but they are very strongly scented.   I have a bulb with pink flowers (very unusual), but the other one in bloom at this time is the more usual white, striped with purple inside.  Here it is to the right.  F. striata is from the Greenhorn mountains of southern California.

More of the South African Gladioli are in bloom now.  Seen here to the left is G. maculatus.  I keep meaning to go out at night to check to see if it is night-scented like others that are brown or brownish.  It has a faint rather peculiar scent in daytime.  G. carinatus is in bloom, with green and purple flowers that have a sweet scent.  Here it is to the right. 

The yellow Veltheimia breacteata  always bloom before the more common pink ones.  They are in full bloom now, and the large brush-like flowers of Scadoxus puniceus 'magnificus' are also starting to show.

Now is the time for my favorite Oxalis species -- Oxalis obtusa.  The color range of this species is incredible, with the added beauty of delicate veining, often in a contrasting color, and an intense eye ring.  I have so many different color forms of O. obtusa that I do get occasional seedlings.  Now, I really don't want Oxalis seeding itself around my greenhouse, but with O. obtusa I have found three beautiful seedlings quite different from the colors I already have, so I don't mind finding a few plants here and there.  Below are three, from left to right; O. obtusa 'Blush';   O. obtusa 'Peaches & Cream' and O. obtusa 'Elizabeth'.  

  

I should explain a little about the South African oxalis and seed.  It is unusual to get seed from these species, since the same species of Oxalis exhibit a condition known as heterostyly, where the stamens and stigma have varying lengths, producing incompatibilty between plants that have differing structure.  So you can have several genetically different Oxalis obtusa, but they won't cross pollinate to produce seed unless the stigma/stamen ratio is compatible.  This prevents self-pollination and encourages outcrossing. I have a lot of O. obtusa clones, so I clearly have some that are compatible.  And that's all right with me, since I don't get massive amounts of seeding, and I get some lovely surprises like the ones above.

This is just the beginning of the O. obtusa season.  They will peak in February, and be over by the end of March.  Let's hope for some new surprises.

www.telosrarebulbs.com

Crocus

Most of California has such mild winters that Crocus are not that successful here, since many species come from the mountainous regions of the Mediterranean countries where they experience freezing temperatures in winter.  Bulbs that come from cold winter regions generally need that winter chill, and don't do well where there is little frost, as in coastal California.  You can buy the beautiful large-flowered hybrids from your garden center, and they may survive for a winter or two, but often die out after blooming once. 

The exceptions to this very broad generalization are the autumn blooming species, but these are not often seen in garden centers.  They are very well suited to California gardens.  I have only a few in my collection, not because I am not interested, but I have neither the space nor the time to grow all the bulbs I would like.  One of my favorites, seen here to the left, is C. pulchellus, from Turkey and Bulgaria, where it grows in damp forests.  Crocus goulimyi, seen below and to the right, from Greece, is a lovely Crocus that is often available from specialists.  Another beautiful autumn blooming species is C. kotschyanus, below and to the left.    It is also from Turkey, Syria and Lebanon.   Although all these species are from dry summer regions, they can tolerate some summer water if drainage is good.  There are many other species, and writing this post reminds me that I should try to squeeze a few more in.  I haven't tried them in the garden, since I am plagued with gophers, but just recently I am experimenting with planters scattered in the perennial beds where I can grow bulbs safe from predation.  Fortunately, with few trees in this windswept valley, we don't have squirrels, the bane of crocus lovers.

We are, of course, past the time of bloom for the autumn species.  I have been experimenting with other spring-blooming species to see which ones will do well in this mild climate.  The species from the Mediterranean islands, predictably, have done well, since they do not experience a very cold winter in their homeland.  C. minimus is a delightful one from Sardinia and Corsica.  It is seen here to the right.  Another species from Corsica is C. corsicus, and is stunningly beautiful with large deep lavender flowers that are strongly scented.  One wonders if the first Napoleon appreciated these lovely flowers.  Here it is to the left.  Crocus sieberi 'Bowles White' is from Crete, and is also doing very well, with very large pristine white flowers and egg-yolk centers.  Here it is.  

I am also growing some other spring-flowering species that are doing well, in spite of the fact that they come from regions that have snowy winters, although others that I have tried have rapidly disappeared.  One vigorous species from Turkey is C. ancyrensis (also known as C. susianus) with brilliant yellow flowers produced in abundance.  It is seen here below.   

Crocus tommasinianus is very well known, and comes in a range of color forms, all more or less purple, but still distinctly different from each other.  It comes from Croatia, Serbia and Bosnia, where it experiences cold winters, but it does well here.  It is the classic crocus to grow in lawns where it will seed itself and scatter beautiful purple and lavender stars throughout the grass.   Here, below, is the pinkish form called C. t. roseus , and to the left is C. t. pictus.

These are only a very few species, for to talk in depth about Crocus would require a PhD-like thesis, but for those who wish to delve more into this wonderful genus I would recommend the web site: http://www.thealpinehouse.fsnet.co.uk/crocus%20pages/.  You can happily browse through all the species and look at their wonderful photographs.

www.telosrarebulbs.com  

Sowing Seeds

The big seed sowing takes place in autumn and early winter here at Telos.  This is due to the fact that the majority of bulbs grown here are from Mediterranean climates, regions that have cool rainy winters and summers that are dry.  The bulbs from such regions come into growth when the rains commence in autumn, and are dormant in the summer.  In their native regions seeds ripen in early summer, some staying attached to the pod until the rains commence, others being scattered on the dry ground where they lie until there is enough moisture for them to germinate.  For gardeners accustomed to sowing annuals, this seems to be a surprise that many seeds need cold temperatures to germinate.  Indeed, heat would either be fatal to the germinating seed, or would completely inhibit germination of the seeds of Mediterranean climate bulbs.  To the left is a germinated seed of Lewisia rediviva.

For most of the bulbs native to the western USA I place the seeds in slightly dampened vermiculite in a ziplock bag, then put the bag in the refrigerator.  In an evening I can bag up dozens of species this way.  The bags are checked regularly, and the seeds are sown as soon as any sign of germination takes place. This saves me a great deal of time, making seed sowing spread out over the winter.  In addition, if I have bad batches of seed, I am not filling up greenhouse space and wondering whether to throw the pots out. I can tell after two or three months that nothing is happening.  Germination of the species native to the western USA takes anywhere from two weeks to four months, the longer period needed for the alpine species.  Here is a bag of germinated Calochortus kennedyi, ready for sowing. 

Seeds of bulbs from the western Cape Province of South Africa can't be handled in this manner, for they need a diurnal swing of at least ten degrees F. to facilitate germination.  If placed in the unvarying conditions of a refrigerator they would not germinate.  They are sown in situ in the greenhouses.  Tiny seeds, such as those of Lachenalia are left uncovered.  Here is a pot of freshly sown Gladiolus carinatus seed.  The gladiolus seeds will be covered with a thin layer of sand or seed starting mix.

Seeds of South American members of the Family Amaryllidaceae are sown when they ripen.  Most amaryllid seed does not keep for long, so it should not be stored for more than about three months before sowing.  These are also sown in ziplock bags, but they are kept at room temperature, since these species are not from Mediterranean climates, and are usually subtropical.  I keep them in my office at room temperature, which will average about 60F.  Here is a bag of germinated Hippeastrum mandoni seed. 

Growing bulbs from seed is an exciting and satisfying experience, but one that most gardeners have not attempted.  Many bulbous species will mature to flowering in three to four years, and you can grow species this way that are difficult to find in commerce.  The seed lists of plant societies offer a tempting array of unusual bulbous species, and there are small specialty seed companies that offer even more.

www.telosrarebulbs.com 

Season's End

The shipping season is virtually over.  I can still ship some bulbs, but the winter-growing species that are in storage are sprouting and need to be planted.  In addition, most of the bulbs in pots need to be repotted before they are too far along in growth.  I leave my bulbs in their pots for two to three years, then the potting mix needs to be replaced, becoming deficient in nutrients and with salt buildup from fertilizer.  Disease organisms can also build up in old soil, and the soil becomes compacted from watering and breakdown.  The old potting mix I keep, if it doesn't look like it has any major problems, and I apply it to my flowerbeds.

Michelle and I have finished potting my Oxalis collection, a total of 541 pots, shown above.  I am delighted, and looking forward to the incredible display that will unfold over the winter.  This morning we cleaned seed that had been collected over the summer, putting the seed in small coin envelopes labeled with their botanical names.  We also sowed many California natives, by putting the seed in plastic bags in damp vermiculite.  The bags are placed in the refrigerator, and sown in pots as they germinate.  This is absolutely necessary for any species that come from high altitude, since they need a lengthy winter chilling before they will germinate.  I also handle a lot of the low elevation species this way, though, since it saves time.  I can bag up dozens of species in a very short time, place them in the refrigerator, and take out the bags when I see any sign of germination, and this spreads the seed sowing out over the winter.  You have to know what you are up to though, since some species, such as most of the South African ones, need a diurnal swing in temperature to germinate, so putting them in the refrigerator would not work.  It is a surprise to some people to find out that many seeds need cold temperatures to sprout, gardeners being more familiar with sowing the seeds of annuals and tomatoes, but all the winter-growing species, including Narcissus, Crocus, all the California natives and any from similar climates, must be sown in the autumn and exposed to cool temperatures.  I sow the great majority of seed at this time, since Telos grows so many bulbs from Mediterranean climates such as South Africa, California, Chile and the Mediterranean region, climates characterized by cool rainy winters and dry summers.

As one season ends, another begins, and this is the most exciting season of all at Telos Rare Bulbs.  Over the winter there will be a succession of bloom, and while winter rages outside, the greenhouses will be ablaze with color.  Right now there are just a few 'teasers', hinting at what lies ahead.  The Nerines are almost finished, but there are still plenty in bloom.  To the left is a beautiful hybrid I called 'Fiesta'.

The species Gladioli from the Cape Province of South Africa are starting into growth, with shoots visible in most of the pots.  One or two bloom in the fall.  Pretty little Gladiolus carmineus has already made an appearance, with its cheerful pink flowers appearing before the leaves emerge.  Here it is to the right. 

  Gladiolus stefaniae, seen here to the left, is a beauty, and just opened this morning.  In its native South Africa, it grows on steep cliffs in the spray of waterfalls, where it remains constantly moist in winter.  I should mention that the species Gladioli from the Cape Province of South Africa are nothing like the stiff gaudy hybrid Gladioli of commerce.  They are generally small and dainty in appearance, and are often sweetly scented.  There are other Gladioli that grow in summer, coming from other regions of Africa, and these formed the genetic basis of most the commercial Gladioli.  They are much larger, and more suitable for the garden.  I will post on Gladiolus later in the season.

A few Lachenalias are also starting to bloom, as well as Oxalis, mentioned in the previous post.  By Christmas there will be so much to see, Oxalis, Gladiolus, Lachenalias, more Crocus, some Narcissus, Tropaeolum, Romulea, and many more.  The display will peak in late winter when the California natives will be in full swing.  Who says winter is dull?

www.telosrarebulbs.com

Telos Bargains

Inspired by Ferndale's Bargain Lover's Weekend, I have decided to take stock of what I have on hand, and offer some price reductions before winter sets in.  So far, I haven't had the time to go carefully through my stocks of bulbs to make many decisions, but below are a few.  I need room in the greenhouses for the big seed-sowing season which will start in October.  At that time I sow seeds of all the California native bulbs, as well as seed of South African bulbs.

Bomarea caldasii, seen to the left, is offered at a reduced price, as are all the other Bomareas.  See the web site:  www.telosrarebulbs.com for details.

Leucocoryne purpurea, seen here to the right, is now offered at the reduced price of $2 per bulb. This gorgeous South American bulbs has beautiful showy flowers that are scented like sweet almonds.  They are excellent garden plants in California.

As my customer base grows, and with very little help in the nursery, I am finding it hard to meet customer demand for certain species.  I have been growing all my bulbs from seed, and have not been purchasing bulbs for resale, other than occasionally buying bulbs from small growers to establish my own stocks. 

This year I have changed that, and will offer a few (very few) species grown by other small growers, whose quality and reliability I can depend on.  I have, therefore, just added some species to the web site, seen below.     

From left to right:  Arum creticum, the fabulous primrose yellow Arum from the Mediterranean, that has (unlike most Arums!) a very sweet scent; Crocus pulchellus, a lovely Crocus; Erythronium revolutum, the pink flowered Erythronium that grows in the mountains close to my home.

I have, of course, been growing all these species, so I am familiar with their needs, but have never had the quantities I needed to list on the web site.  Hopefully, the relationships I have developed with other small growers will help with that, and I hope to add more species in the future, but, rest assured, Telos will still continue to grow the vast majority of the bulbs here on the nursery, and from seed, to assure my customers the quality and variety of bulbs they are accustomed to.

For pricing and further details, consult the web site:  www.telosrarebulbs.com

California Native Bulbs

Fritillaria

Fritillarias are found throughout California in a variety of habitats, from alpine conditions to coastal bluffs.  Not surprisingly, therefore, they need vastly different growing conditions, but I can also state from my own experience, that of all the California bulbs they are the most challenging (read, difficult) species in cultivation.

I will start with the most desirable species, since these are the ones I get the most requests for.  Fritillaria recurva, seen to the left, is very unusual for its brilliant coloration.  In fact, it is the only scarlet fritillary found anywhere in the world.  It is checkered in gold, and there is a subspecies called F. r. ssp. gentneri, with larger flowers.  It grows in the Sierra Nevada at mid elevation, and also in the Coast Ranges and in southern Oregon, usually being found growing on banks in the shade of mixed oak and conifer forests. 

Fritillaria pluriflora, seen in habitat above in Bear Valley, California, grows in dense clay that is extremely wet in winter, drying to a consistency like cement in summer.  Again, the color is very rare, although not unique, since there are one or two other species found in other parts of the world that are pink.

Fritillaria striata is less well known, but equally lovely, with white to pink flowers with purple striations on the petals.  It is very strongly scented, and is native to the Greenhorn Mountains of southern California.  It is seen here to the right.

The more common species include F. biflora, which is also one of the easier Fritillarias in cultivation, and given the right conditions, can even be grown in the garden.  It is seen here to the left. 

F. affinis is extremely variable, coming in forms that are yellowish, green or brown, some with checkering to the petals, some without.  Below is F. affinis v. tristulis, from the San Francisco Bay region.  The flowers are large, and are held on short six inch stems.  It is seen here below to the right.

 There are several alpine species, which are usually of short stature.  They generally grow in scree, and are not the easiest species.  Seen to the left is F. glauca.  F. purdyi can grow in close proximity to F. glauca, growing on the flatter areas, while F. glauca prefers steeper slopes.  It is seen here below.

 

I don't normally recommend Fritillarias for gardens, nor for those with no experience growing them, since they are difficult, and need specific growing conditions, but we all need to start somewhere, so to get going F. biflora would be a good one to try, followed by F. affinis.  For an alpine house, F. purdyi, F. pudica (not shown) and F. glauca. 

Erythronium

Erythroniums are some of the loveliest California natives.  They usually grow in woodland conditions, coming into bloom before the leaves of the trees emerge in spring.  They are wonderful additions to the woodland garden, but they are not the easiest natives to grow, and success depends upon choosing species that are adapted to the garden conditions you have to offer.  Several species come from southern Oregon, where they experience real (but not extreme) winters.  To the left is Erythronium oregonum, and in my garden and nursery, these have been some of the easiest to keep going (but, bear in mind I am in the northernmost part of California).  Erythronium californicum is similar in appearance to E. oregonum, and grows in the northern part of the state, so their ranges overlap.  A cultivated variety called E. 'White Beauty' is often available from the large growers, often mistakenly called E. revolutum 'White Beauty'.

Another adaptable and easy one is E. tuolumnense, from mid elevation in the Sierra Nevada.  It is found in a fairly restricted area, but is very easy to grow and propagate, so has been in cultivation and available from nurseries for a long time.  It is seen here to the right.  E. tuolumnense has bright green shiny leaves with no markings, while E. oregonum has leaves marbled with brown. 

The two most desirable species are E. revolutum, with pale to bright pink flowers and E. hendersonii, with lavender flowers with a deep purple throat.  I don't have a picture of E. hendersonii, although I have grown and flowered it, but here is E. revolutum.  Although E. revolutum grows in the mountains near where I live, I haven't found it that easy in cultivation.

Most Erythroniums need cool to moderate temperatures while dormant, but there are one or two that tolerate more heat.  E. multiscapoideum is found in the Sierra Nevada where it grows in partial shade in regions that experience fairly extreme summer heat.  It does grow deeply, and should be kept dry while dormant.  There are two forms, one that is felt to be a triploid and that used to be called E. m. cliftonii, but this is not a valid name.  Here is the normal form to the right.  The leaves of E. multiscapoideum are exceptionally beautiful for their markings, and the pink buds open to cream flowers with a yellow throat.  Another more heat tolerant Erythronium is E. helenae, which has the added attribute of being fragrant. It is seen here below to the left. 

There are, of course, other Erythroniums that grow in the eastern US, and these are very tolerant of heat and summer moisture (indeed, they need some moisture in the summer).  I have grown a few, but found them a bit shy of blooming, but then, I can't offer them the warm conditions they would normally grow in.

So, choose carefully, when you place these in your garden, and try to find a species from a region with a climate similar to your own.  All need good drainage, and are susceptible to rodent damage.  www.telosrarebulbs.com. 

California Native Bulbs

There are many other bulbous plants that grow in the American west, including a host of Alliums.  I only have a few in my collection, but seen at left is the lovely A. dichlamydeum.  It is often described as not being hardy, since it is found in coastal regions, but I have some grown from seed from about 5000' that are certainly hardy.

Although not strictly a bulb, the beautiful orchid Epipactis gigantea, see to the right, is a native orchid that everyone can grow.  It is rhizomatous, and unless you let it completely dry out, you can't kill it.  It naturally grows in seeps, or along the edges of small streams, giving it the name of Stream Orchid.  The epithet 'gigantea' must have been given tongue-in-cheek, because it is actually very small.

California also hosts numerous lovely Lewisias.  Some are very difficult in cultivation, but Lewisia rediviva is easy.  Here it is to the left.  Lewisias are not bulbous either, but have a long fibrous roots, and go dormant in the dry season. 

Irises are abundant in California.  Most are fairly easy to grow.  They are not bulbous species either, but belong in the category of monocots, which, like true bulbous plants, have only one cotyledon.  Here is Iris innominata, which comes in a range of lovely colors.  I have only just started growing native irises, and I am already captivated. 

And then there are the lilies.  There are many species, and they are true bulbs.  Some are very easy to grow, like the lovely Lilium pardalinum, seen here below.  Others, the species that come from dry regions like L. washingtonianum, L. bolanderi and L. rubescens, are a real challenge.  I am still struggling with these species, and I don't really know anyone who has been successful with them, but I am not ready to give up yet.

I haven't yet mentioned Erythroniums, and I certainly intend to do so, so stay tuned!

www.telosrarebulbs.com

California Native Bulbs - Bloomeria

Another member of the Brodiaea group is a very small genus, Bloomeria.  There are only a couple of species, both yellow.  They grow mostly along the central and southern coast of California.  Seen to the left is Bloomeria crocea, the most common species.

A rare species, found in southern California, is B. humilis, smaller in stature that B. crocea, but otherwise similar.  It is seen here to the right.

Their lovely golden yellow color really stands out in the dry or native garden.  They are not often seen, but should be planted more, being just as easy to grow as the other members of the group.

I have been growing B. humilis for some time, from seed supplied to me from the Tilden Park Botanical Garden by its director, Wayne Roderick.  Wayne died three or four years ago after a long life intensely devoted to native plants and bulbs in particular.  He provided me with seed of many wonderful bulbs.  When I would visit him, as I was about to leave, he would grab his special bulb trowel, stand in his garden wielding it, and say "well, waddaya want?" being perfectly willing to dig up any desiderata.  He was a character.

Rare Bulbs

I should also make a mention of the rare or endangered species that are grown at Telos.  Seed of all species that are listed endangered came from botanical gardens, often from people like Wayne, who wanted as many people as possible to grow and know about these wonderful plants.  They were not wild collected, or, at least, not wild collected in recent history, and certainly not by me.  Many species listed as rare or endangered in California are so listed because they grow in extremely restricted areas that are often threatened by development.  Protecting those areas is of utmost importance, but the forces driving development and highway construction can sometimes be unstoppable, so the future of these species is very uncertain.  Preserving a genus through cultivation is not the ideal solution, but it is something.  The beautiful Tecophilaea cyanocrocus from Chile was thought until recently to be extinct in the wild because of overgrazing, but it has been well established in horticulture for a long time, so was not lost to us, and an attempt was made to re-establish it through donations of seed from people like myself. 

www.telosrarebulbs.com

California Native Bulbs - Triteleia

Triteleia is closely related to Brodiaea and Dichelostemma, and they all used to be lumped together.  This genus grows in the same habitat as the others, mostly low elevation grasslands, where they mingle with the drying grasses in late spring.  They differ from Brodiaea in not having structures called staminodes, modified stamens that appear as (usually) prominent white structures within the flower.  While Brodiaea and Dichelostemma come in a range of purple, blue and white shades, Triteleia includes yellow.  To the left is the beautiful T. bridgesii, the flower color ranging from plum to lavender, all with a lighter throat that sparkles in the sun.  To the right is the yellow T. ixioides.

I should mention that while all members of the Brodiaea group have a sparkly sheen to the petals, many of the Triteleias have structures within the throat of the flower that look like little glass beads which reflect the light with a diamond like intensity.  It is most prominently seen in T. lilacina, seen here below.  The striping on the petals of T. lilacina can be blue or pink, but seems to be affected by temperature, some years being very prominent, other years hardly there at all.

Tritelia laxa is probably the most common member of the genus, and it is a beauty.  It occurs all over the northern state, and can be tiny, reaching only about three to four inches tall, or very large, with stems two to three feet tall and umbels ten inches across.  The small members of the genus appear in rocky habitats, while the larger members are in oak savannah.  The color ranges from very pale blue to deep amethyst.

Seen here to the right is the form found in oak savannah habitat in Butte County.

 

Triteleia hyacinthina has a tight umbel of white flowers, with some populations having a distinct blue tint.  It is seen here to the left.  I used to help with a camp out for Indian kids, and gave demonstrations on traditional uses of bulbs for food, and would take pots of blooming bulbs to the camp out so the kids could see them and then recognize them in the wild.  I found that T. hyacinthina, when confined to my car, was very sweetly fragrant, something I had not noticed in the outdoors.

All Triteleias, like the whole Brodiaea group, make wonderful cut flowers, and are great additions to the dry garden.  As long as they are kept largely dry in summer, they are very easy to grow, and most are hardy to Zone 7.  A few, like T. peducularis, are even tolerant of wet conditions.  For more photographs, see the web site at:  www.telosrarebulbs.com.