Dear Jane et al:
Concerning Tecophilaeas, there is some confusion on their
requirements. T. violiflora which is a charming little flowered plant, grows
in frost free sunny conditions in gritty soil in N. Chile. There it receives
rainfall from April to November (mid Autumn to mid Spring) and not a single
drop until next April. There is considerable variation in color forms from
slaty pale blue to a deep violet. If you grow Geissorhizas successfully,
you will grow it to perfection under the same conditions.
T. cyanocrocus (which became extinct by collecting) grew
higher in the mountains of Chile and more to the south and therefore hardie
than violiflora. It can be grown to perfection in climates that are chilly
in winter and where frosts are slight, say like the hilly country around San
Francisco Bay. It needs a lot of sun and gritty soil with plenty of root
run.
There is good evidence that both do not belong to the same
genus. Both have whitish small corms.
Gilliesia and related genera are all rare and even botanists
never found one in the wild. They are not showy in the normal sense but the
flower structure is fascinating . Any experience one can gain in growing
them may be crucial for the survival of those rarities.
Regards
Alberto