Hello forum members,
This is my first post here. How many folks are growing
Eucrosia mirabilis? I am curious about what conditions, especially temperature ranges, in which growers are growing and blooming this species successfully.
This was purchased as a seedling bulb from Telos Rare Bulbs in 2006 and until this year was grown outdoors in Honolulu where it was quite tolerant of high rainfall whilst in active growth (it has excellent drainage). Each year the leaves have grown larger than the next, much larger than
E. bicolor produces. This first-time blooming has really been a treat. 18 - 10cm flowers on a 1m peduncle. I suspect that this plant is at least 7 years old.
This bulb species is endemic to small areas of Ecuador were it grows in very well drained rocky soil on exposed slopes amongst prickly pear cactus. It grows 2 - 40cm paddle-shaped leaves during the season of growth and then goes dormant during the dry season. Blooms appear when plants break dormancy.
It needs bright light, excellent drainage, decent diurnal temperature variation, a cooler winter (warmer than 10°C I believe) and a warm summer. If these growing conditions can be met, it is pretty easy to raise. Aside from these all one needs is time, patience and care not to water when dormant. A nice companion plant to rupicolous
Laelia. It will tolerate both high and low humidity.
Pictures:
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