Brunsvigia josephinae

[Tim Harvey]

Just acquired a couple of flowering sized bulbs - this monster has a 24" circumference!

[Allen Repashy]

Nice Tim,

I got a few enormous bulbs from Guy last year. I was a little worried about them establishing, but they adapted nicely and leafed out into a glorious clump. One of my favorites for sure.

Allen

[Tim Harvey]

Apparently this thing has put out inflorescences with a diameter of 48". A special bed is warranted I think.

[Brian Kemble]

We have one LARGE bulb of B. josephinae planted out at RBG which flowers every year (I think this happens in Aug./Sept., if i remember correctly), but it took about 12 or 15 years to reach blooming size. I would estimate the diameter of the inflorescence to be about 2 1/2 feet, with the flowers rather widely spaced but very attractive. We are growing seedlings of it, but since we have only the one flowering-size bulb (there are 2 smaller ones which have yet to flower), then the seedlings must either be a)the result of self-pollination, or b)the result of pollination by Amaryllis belladonna, since there is a white-flowered clump of this not far away which flowers at the same time.

[amarguy]

I've been growing sibling bulbs to that mentioned by Brian at RBG. I believe we both got our seed from Wayne Roderick ... mine in 1995. My first bloom occured in Sept 2005, and has bloomed every year since, growing larger each year and also a larger # of individual florets. Little seed though despite my pollination attempts, until two additional bulbs bloomed last Fall. Seed production went from 10-20 to over 200. The large, upright wide, bluish winter foliage alone is reason enough to grow this bulb! Patience is a requirement, though!

Ken

[amarguy]

and here is a shot of the foliage as of last November (2008)

[William Ross]

Hello. I just purchased a Brunsvigia orientalis the bulb of which is only 1/2 in tall. I planted it in a very deep pot (13-in) and its single leaf (3/4-inch) has gone from yellow to green and has grown a bit in just over a week.

How much of the bulb should be above the soil?

[amarguy]

Hi William,

I only have seedlings of Brunsvigia orientalis. My understanding is that the bulb of B.orientalis, unlike B.josephinae, does not normally grow exposed above the soil line. However, I think care should be taken not to plant it too deep, either. My advice would be to have the top tip of the bulb at or just below the soil line, it may actually pull itself down, which would be fine. I think a deep pot is a good idea. The roots of many S.A. amaryllids are perennial, and thus grow longer/deeper each year, so they will take advantage of additional space. Probably not good for them to circle the base of a shallow pot where they might sit in too much moisture and rot. I believe B.orentalis is also a winter grower ... so assuming you are located in the Northern Hemisphere ... don't be surprised if your bulb goes dormant ... it will likely throw up new foliage in October. I'd advise keeping your bulb relatively dry and out of direct summer sun.

Ken

[William Ross]

So glad you sent a reply! Earlier today I moved it into direct sun and it has been raining here quite a bit. The soil/sharp-sand/grit/perlite is very wet. I'll protect it or bring it in the next time it rains. How much water should I give this? It is quite humid here in Louisville, KY. -- Do you see this as a problem? (And for a Boophane.) Do I need to keep these inside in a window sill? Also, I have the Boophane D arriving soon. How much sun does it need? ...Water, pot sizes etc.?

Thank you.

[amarguy]

Hey William!

I would let the soil in the pot with the B.orientalis dry out completely during the summer ... I suspect the humidy in Kentucky will provide enough moisture to prevent the bulb from drying out completely. Keep out of summer sun ... the heat buildup could cook the young fragile roots. Resume H2O come late September/early October ... but try to keep out of hot sun if you have an Indian Summer.

As for your Boophone disticha ... do you know from what part of South Africa it originates? Those from SW Africa are winter growers and prefer dry summers and winter moisture. Those from SE Africa are summer growers ... and would probably prefer drier winters but summer moisture.

I will assume you plan to keep both in a cool greenhouse during the winter months ... as neither are likely to survive a hard freeze.

Ken

[William Ross]

I have 2 small boophane coming in from SE Africa, 5 small from the UK and one large from the UK. I'll ask and thank you.

No greenhouse. Just my large windows and/or shop lights. ...Brighter, if needed and advice is welcomed. I'll have to build or buy one [greenhouse] eventually. My wife is ready to move out.

[jshields]

Here in central Indiana, I've had poor luck with Boophane as well as with most Brunsvigia. Bulbs coming in from the Southern Hemisphere have had a very hard time adapting, unlike Haemanthus and Scadoxus, for instance. They will need very bright light, if they are winter-growing. As Tim pointed out, it matters a great deal where your Boophane disticha come from -- some grow in winter-rainfall areas, others in summer-rainfall areas. These tend to be distinct ecotypes -- adapted to different ecological conditions -- even if they look identical.

Good luck, and be nice to your wife! I've kept mine for 46 years, but it's been dicey at times. Greenhouses can help preserve domestic tranquility.

Jim Shields
Westfield, Indiana

[William Ross]

Jim-

I'm in Louisville. Do you think humidity is the issue? So far, this little Brunsvigia has bounced back from what I thought was certain death. I put a mesh cage over it to keep the squirrels out, unintentionally shielding it from direct sun. ?? The Brunsvigia and all but two of the incoming Boophane were grown from seed in the UK and they appear quite healthy.

I can attempt to grow these indoors - Cooler in the summer but I don't keep my home warm in the winter. Maybe 64 degrees. I could build a glass case with bright lights to keep things warm. Any ideas are welcomed.

My wife is quite fine with all the plants. If I could sell a few [plants] to pay for my habit, she'd be even happier.

[William Ross]

Tim,

That pot your Brunsvigia is in looks very shallow. I was under the impression that a deep pot was required. Also, is there any soil in your medium? What would you recommend feeding these lovely beasts? I'm not one to fertilize much. Maybe once a year.

Wm.

[jshields]

William,
I would guess it is a combination of high humidity and high night-time temperatures that is hard on the summer-rainfall South African plants. They expect cool nights. In our climate, I think we have to keep them as dry as possible in winter and not too warm. My greenhouse for winter-rainfall bulbs from South Africa gets down close to freezing (to 33 - 35 F at times) on cold nights in winter.

The few Brunsvigia I have kept alive and growing are winter-rainfall plants that live in the cool greenhouse summer and winter -- dormant in summer, bone dry and hot. Boophane disticha from Gauteng (a summer rainfall area) did not do well here as a summer-growing bulbs. It died after 2 or 3 years.

Jim Shields
Westfield, Indiana

[Tim Harvey]

I didn't mean to give the wrong impression, it was simply put on top of a wheelbarrow full of soil for photographic purposes. It will be planted in the ground, with most of the bulb buried.

T

Originally Posted by William Ross

Tim,

That pot your Brunsvigia is in looks very shallow. I was under the impression that a deep pot was required. Also, is there any soil in your medium? What would you recommend feeding these lovely beasts? I'm not one to fertilize much. Maybe once a year.

Wm.