Brian Mathew grows Gethyllis in pots of sandy soil in his frost-free greenhouse.
He keeps them dry until September, watering then through Fall, winter and spring until they die down.
He so wisely points out that the dormant pots throw crocus-like flowers at the height of summer.
Choices are so subjective; he writes these would not really be worthwhile growing outdoors in milder climate areas as they are not impressive plants; just fascinating.
I on the other hand find them enchanting and worthwhile to grow outdoors.
I still get so sickly nervous when seen to perhaps disagree with a living venerable, which Brian truly is.
As stated before, all our lives are so vastly different, and across the board Brian's, genuflect, knowledge is all encompassing.
But from a casual reading, one might overlook this fascinating and attractive genus.
Mostauthorities tell us to grow Gethyllis in pure sand. In habitat, yes - this suits most of them, but away from the regulated growing environment the best success is found with the following formula.
This works for me in hot Geelong; it also worked in cooler Tasmania and temperate Sydney.
My growing medium consists of course potting sand with 15% by volume added of equal parts fine decomposed pine fines and peat. That's 7 & 1/2% of each added by volume to the sand mix.
Others no doubt will have differing mixes, but all of mine - and this is my third love affair with Gethyllis - all have flowered over the years in this mix. None have ever rotted on me. The secret is in the mix and the trick.
The trick is the medium and understanding the three distinct growing phases of this genus.
Grab a cigarette, yes I smoke, end my vices, grab a cup of your favourite beverage and settle in. Ready? Together we are going to explore, I think; the most remarkable genus within the South African amaryllidaceae.
The annual life cycle is divided into three phases.
(1) the leaves appear in Fall, grow throughout winter and completely die back in early summer.
(2) the scented flowers appear out of the ground at the height of summer, fading - atrophying within a day or two of opening.
(3)In early Fall the fruit emerges, mostly before the new leaves.
Growing from scratch:
Seed is mature when the berries are soft.
It is best to separate the seeds from the pulp before sowing.
Sow seeds on the surface of the pot filled with the described growing medium.
 |
| Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: | View all related messages |
For a complete listing of article comments, questions, and other discussions related to Gary Buckley's Alpines and Bulbs topic, please visit the Discussions page.