Confronting God and Talking about Gethyllis:

Dust, with just a pinch - a sprinkle - of sand, so that the seed are partially covered but still able to be seen on closer observation. High germination rates are evident within a matter of a few weeks.

At the onset of the next growing season, your seedlings can go to their permanent home positions; though I like to sow and never move. A little planning as to position, goes a long way; much like life, it always boils down to thought in advance.

Sun: Depending on your climate full sun is required. In very hot climates, some protection from scorching afternoon sun is needed.

Watering: As the leaves begin to die down, wither; all watering MUST CEASE. Cautious watering can resume when the fruit and or leaves appear.

Pots: Deep pots are required, the fleshy roots, sometimes as long as 20cm plus need room. Gethyllis Gallaris for example.

At the base of your pots place a layer of small pebbles having first enlarged the drainage hole of the pot. Then fill with the mix adding a little bonemeal.

We are told to sterilise our growing medium, but I never do; should you wish to, just boil water and pour, remembering to let it cool down before planting.

Keep pots out of the rain. Keep pots and plants / seeds in a sunny situation, but avoid the pot being baked by the sun.

Give a good water once every two (2) weeks; in cooler climates every three weeks is fine..

Sometime when you think of it use a slow release fertiliser on top of the medium. This is not essential, just sometimes when you remember it.

The Bulb:
Each bulb, provided it is mature enough, produces a solitary flower. In South Africa generally during December. In Sydney generally in late January to early February. In Tasmania early February and in Geelong they begin flowering the first week of February. Let us all remember, the flowering is the second phase of the growth cycle.

Young bulbs frequently produce flowers without a style and with a reduced number of stamens. There are various reasons for this, but I really don't remember them; Rachel S., John B., Brian M., anyone else please feel free to refresh my ailing memory.

Anyway, one should not allow the bulbs to set seeds in successive seasons - this can seriously deplete the bulb's resources to the point of it failing to survive. The flowers are fragile, depending on the species grown they occur in white to light pink and all are so sweetly fragrant.

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