Lachenalias in Spring
Lachenalia has definitely become one of my favourite species. I have found them so easy to grow here in Gippsland and this year, for two reasons, most of mine were left growing outside in our cold, wet winter and they have definitely thrived in this environment. Even our frosts have not affected the leaves greatly and because spring is here and milder than winter, the flowers are just glorious.
The two reasons, I mentioned above are: I have not been well this year and have not been able to do a lot with my plants. I have been able to give them little attention. For this reason, most of them have been left to grow on , braving the wet winters here. Secondly, because I have so many plants and I mean HUNDREDS, in pots, I am gradually running out of space to keep those I consider as frost-tender under cover. I guess you could say it was a risky experiment, but fate and God dealt me that hand and nature has been kind to me and my lot. Since I have now partly retired, my wish is, once I get well enough and recover, to grow lots more of my favourite South African species and build up my collection of Lachenalias. Therefore, I will be looking for sources of seeds and bulbs in Australia and overseas and would appreciate any contacts from growers who can supply. Please let me know by email, if you can assist.
However, to get to the point of the article, this year I have managed to flower three colours of Lachenalia rosea, from seed I obtained from South Africa only two years ago. These were the colours listed on the seed consignments of pink, blue and rose, and I am delighted to say the flowers are massive for the size of the plants and considering that they are still in the original 4 inch pots I started the seed in. I used my standard treatment and potting mix, which only ever contains blood and bone. No other fertiliser is necessary when you grow Lachs and indeed too much fertiliser can be detrimental to their growth. I have heard of many other growers elaborate and over done mixtures of fertiliser bur believe me, this is not necessary.
Lachenalia rosea Andrews.
rosea: rose-pink flowers
A late-flowering, mainly coastal species occurring from the Cape Peninsula as far east as Knysna, and inland as far as Ladismith and Montagu.
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