Bulbs that flower without leaves--TOW
Kelly Irvin (Mon, 04 Aug 2003 07:13:28 PDT)

Mary Sue:

I've just returned from out-of-town to find a bunch of interesting
messages hitting and missing (i.e. discussion of other species) on my
favorite subject, Lycoris. Being a late arrival, I hope what follows
isn't just a rehash. I consider all Lycoris to fit very well into the
flowering without leaves category. I have heard of Lycoris radiata
holding foliage through to bloom in the Houston area, but I have never
seen this, nor do I know if it is true. The fall foliage group of
Lycoris seem to fit the "breaking dormancy with bloom" category the best
of the Lycoris, but, as has been said, some of these will still bloom
weeks ahead of the first sign of foliage. In all cases, though, I would
not consider the bloom to be the ACTUAL initiator of the new growing
season, but the foliage. Of course, spring foliage species won't begin
to show foliage until late winter. Generally speaking, most Lycoris will
not have foliage until the bloom spike has at least initiated growth.

As has been said before, probably by Jim W., Lycoris can take some time
to "find their feet", especially if received in a state stripped of
their roots. Even dormant, these bulbs do not actually lose their roots,
so to receive them in a rootless state seems to require the gardener be
patient in letting the bulb spend a season (or even 2), establishing a
good root system. Last year, I purchases L. squamigera from a local
grower, dug them in July and replanted within a few days. Foliage
reached about half-height this spring, bloom is sporadic now and at half
to 3/4 height. Who knows how much time one might take to adjust to a
different hemisphere. I have found Lycoris to be EXTREMELY tough bulbs
to kill, though, which is much appreciated by me, a green thumb with
plenty of brown mottled throughout.

L. squamigera first flush are in full bloom at this moment. Second flush
should begin bloom this week. L. longituba is just now sending up spikes
(one has bloomed already). I had a sole spike of L. sanguinea var.
kiusiana bloom last week and L. sanguinea (probably var. sanguinea)
should begin blooming this week (only one spike so far). I have had a
very small lot of these, but just received a new shipment to be planted
in the next few weeks. L. xhaywardii are done for the season, L.
straminea is in bloom and L. xhoudyshelii, also. I'm in Lycoris heaven
right now.

I sure would like to find a good source (50-1000 bulbs) for Lycoris
incarnata (peppermint surprise lily). Leads would be appreciated very much.

Mary Sue Ittner wrote:

--
Mr. Kelly M. Irvin
The Bulbmeister
4407 Town Vu Road
Bentonville, AR 72712
479-685-1339

USDA Cold Hardiness Zone 6b

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