Email/Lachenalias/soil/narcissus in water and other minor things: Growing Lachenalias

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Top 1. Jan 26, 2002 8:53 PM

» RayCox - Growing Lachenalias

Lachenalias are an adaptable lot and relatively easy to cultivate. No pretreatment, such as a cold period, is required. In early autumn, place six to 12 bulbs in a 6-inch pot, depending on the size of the bulbs and their leaves. Plant the bulbs 2 to 3 inches deep. Lachenalias don't mind being crowded—in fact, they give a better display when planted this way. They are shamelessly promiscuous, producing numerous bulblets and offsets that can be separated and repotted.

South African bulbs are found in nutrient-poor, rocky soils. To simulate this in cultivation, always use a well-drained mix, with little or no humus. I grow bulbs in a mix of 3 parts bark, 1 part sand, and 1 part grit. In his Lachenalia Handbook, Graham Duncan recommends coarse sand mixed with a little fine compost.

Because lachenalias naturally grow in poor soils, there is no need to fertilize. In my experience, the plants do respond very well to low-nitrogen amendments. But err on the side of less fertilizer!

Water your bulbs once they have been repotted and not again until leaves appear above the soil surface. Then, as the pots dry out, give them a good soaking. Never allow the bulbs to dry out completely, as this could trigger dormancy or create unnecessary stress (you'll know there's a problem if the leaf tips start going brown). Too much water in a poorly drained soil, of course, spells one thing: R-O-T. "Love is not water" is a mantra for bulb growers.

Leaves will begin to yellow and wilt as the season progresses and temperatures rise (which is why these bulbs are cool-weather growers!). Reduce the amount of water you supply your bulbs until the plants are at this yellow stage, at which point, stop all watering. Never induce dormancy by withholding water before the plant is at this stage. If the bulb still has green leaves—water it! During summer dormancy, simply move your containers to a dry place.

Repotting can begin in August or September. Cool evening temperatures and warmer days will stimulate root growth in the fall. Daily temperatures should range between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Lachenalia species can tolerate a little more shade than their other South African peers, but require as much sun as you can provide. If the bulbs are placed in a situation that is less than bright, they will lose their mottled leaf appearance and become lank.

Lachenalias are easy to grow from seed. Sow seeds thinly to avoid overcrowding. Keep at a temperature of 65 degrees Fahrenheit. They will germinate in 4 to 5 weeks. Don't disturb the seedlings until they go dormant at the end of their first growing season.

Threatened Habitat

Some species of Lachenalia are abundant throughout the Cape. Others have a narrow range of distribution—an entire community might exist on a single isolated rock outcropping. This sparseness of dispersal is the reason why new species continue to be discovered. But it's also the reason why so many are at risk. Their habitats are under constant threat from environmental flux (drought and fire), from human agriculture and development, and from invasive plants imported to South Africa from similar climatic regions, such as Western Australia.

Thus, one of the most pressing reasons to cultivate these bulbs, besides their charm, is for conservation purposes. Even if a species is "lost" in the wild, it is not lost to science, and the genetic material held in cultivated collections can be tapped for potential reintroduction into the wild. Adopt a Lachenalia—you'll not only be bringing a beautiful plant into your home, you'll be helping to protect the biodiversity of the planet.

Lachenalia
All the species listed below are Wi-growing and Su-dormant and are from Zone 8.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
alba 15cm, showy white fl late Sp, very showy plant from near Nieuwoudtville. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
algoensis 6-30cm, plain/spotted leaves, pale green fl tinged with blue which fade to dull red Wi-Sp, excellent pot plant. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
aloides 15-25cm, heavily marked leaves, pendulous cylindrical variably coloured fl Wi-Sp, excellent pot plant. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
angelica 10cm, single leaf, attractive open white fl Sp, not often seen, pot. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
attenuata 15cm, pale blue and white fl. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
barkeriana 1.5-2cm, 3-9 erect linear leaves which enclose many erect cylindrical greenish fl at ground level Au-Wi, pot. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
bowkeri One/two lanceolate leaves occasionally spotted, fl blue at base with dull purple tips Sp. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
bulbifera 8-30cm, pendulous orange/red fl with green tips Au-Sp, striking, excellent pot/garden plant. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
carnosa 8-25cm, robust, 2 ovate green unmarked leaves, dull white sessile fl with broad mauve/magenta tips Sp, showy. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
comptonii 5-20cm, dark hairy leaves, heavily scented widely open white fl with purple filaments late Sp, well-dr soil, pot. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
concordiana 6-20cm, single leaf upper half green, lower half dull purple, pale blue fl shading to very pale cream & green Sp, rare. Sow Au. Seed limited.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
contaminata 6-25cm, grass-like leaves, widely open white fl with maroon markings Sp, does well in pot. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
contaminata? Seed collected from a population with large beautiful and very scented fl. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
elegans 20cm, variable colour fl Sp, good potplant. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
elegans var flava 20cm, yellow fl with maroon tips Wi. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
elegans var membranacea 20cm, 1 or 2 lanceolate spotted lvs, yellow fl with pale green inner segments & broad white membranous margin Sp. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
fistulosa 8-30cm, scented cream/yellow/blue/lilac/violet fl Sp. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
framesii 15cm, green unspotted leaves, outer segments of fl greenish-yellow, inner segments bright purple or magenta Wi, floriferous. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
gillettii 12-22cm, bright green plain leaves, white fl tinged with lilac at base Sp, pot. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
hirta 12-20cm, hairy leaf margins, white to yellow & pale blue fl Sp. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
juncifolia 20cm, white fl tinged with pale pink Sp. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
kliprandensis 10-20cm, 2 prostrate marked leaves, white fl with pale magenta tips Sp, rare. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
liliflora 10-20cm, leaves pustulate, white fl with pale magenta tips Sp. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
martinae One leaf with undulate margins & maroon stripes at base, dull white fl with blue or grey spots Wi-Sp. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
mathewsii 10-20cm, bright yellow fl with green markings Sp, floriferous, excellent potplant. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
maximiliani To 20cm, solitary broad leaf, pale blue & white fl with reddish markings Wi. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
mediana 15-30cm, lanceolate green leaves, blue-grey fl with green or purple markings Sp. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
montana 10-35cm, cream fl with green/brown markings Sp-Su, coastal. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
mutabilis 10-45cm, very variable colourful fl but usually pale blue with dark yellow inner segments Sp, showy. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
namaquensis 8-23cm, folded leaves, fl pale blue at base shading to magenta Sp, floriferous. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
namibensis 5-10cm, widely open white fl with pinkish-green tips Sp, Namibia. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
orchioides var glaucina 10-40cm, fl blue at base shading to purple Sp, very attractive. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
orchioides var orchiodes 8-40cm, scented fl pale blue at base, shading to yellowish, fade to red Sp. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
orthopetala 20cm, grass-like leaves, dark maroon peduncle, white fl with maroon markings face upwards Sp. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
pallida 12-30cm, numerous cream to yellow or blue fl Sp, fade to red. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
peersii 15-30cm, green to maroon leaves, white scented fl fade to pink Su, floriferous. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
purpureo-caerulea 10-28cm, pustulate leaves, heavily scented fl blue/white at base, shading to magenta/purple Su, attractive, pot. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
pusilla 1-4cm, rosette of prostrate spotted leaves, ground level white scented fl Au, interesting pot plant. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
pustulata 15-35cm, variable fl in shades of cream, yellow, pink or blue Sp, floriferous. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
reflexa 3-19cm, reflexed leaves, greenish-yellow upright fl fade to red Wi-Sp. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
rosea 8-30cm, 1 leaf, blue to rose-pink fl Sp-Su. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
rubida 6-25cm, fl often before leaves, pendulous pink to ruby-red fl often speckled Au-Wi. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
splendida 6-25cm, many sessile fl pale blue at base, shading to white or lilac, protruding inner segments dark lilac Wi. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
stayneri 12-30cm, 2 broad leaves, pale blue fl with red-brown markings Sp. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
thomasiae 20cm, tall late flowering Lachenalia, white fl Sp, showy. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
unicolor 8-30cm, pustulate green/maroon leaves, very variable fl Sp, floriferous & showy. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
unifolia 10-35cm, 1 leaf, attractive fl blue at base shading to white, yellow or pink Sp. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
unifolia var wrightii 10-35cm, single leaf, small blue fl shading to white, pale yellow or pink Sp. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
violacea 10-30cm, fl pale blue-green or white at base, shading to magenta/purple Wi-Sp, very striking. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
viridiflora 8-20cm, viridian green, blue-green or turquoise fl with whitish tips Wi, beautiful species. Sow Au.
US$ 2.00 Buy
Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia
zebrina forma zebrina Single leaf distinctly banded with maroon, long raceme of campanulate cream fl on long pedicels, stamens protrude conspicuously Sp. Plants require good drainage. Sow Au.