Dear All, This time I will describe some of the individual species, providing a selection of the most rewarding species currently in cultivation. (descriptions sometimes borrowed from other sources, like the Internet, books, articles etc.) Actually I learned a lot myself from researching all this information and will readily put it into practice in the near future. The genus Cyrtanthus can conveniently be placed into two distinct groups according to their growth cycle, namely deciduous and evergreen species. The deciduous members may be further divided into either winter- or summer- growing species: the winter growing species occur mainly in the south-western and southern Cape; and the summer-growers are found in the southern, eastern and northern parts of South Africa. The evergreen species occur mainly in the southern and eastern part of the country, and include C.mackenii and C.brachyscyphus. A notable exception is the beautiful C.herrei, one of my favourites, an evergreen plant that occurs in the arid Richtersveld in the far north-western corner of the Northern Cape. Cyrtanthus brachyscyphus: this small semi-evergreen species has intense coloured bright red-orange flowers and one of the easiest to grow, and does best if left to form big clumps.Their main flowering period is in spring and summer, and make good container and garden subjects. Cyrtanthus breviflorus: the bright yellow flowers of this extremely variable species always demand attention It flowers mainly in spring and summer, but sporadic blooms may appear throughout the season. They form part of the fire lily group and would normally need fire to stimulate flowering, but Greg Pettit has managed to get a clone from the swamps that thrives in water, and produces up to 14 canary yellow flowers per plant. Wow, ideal for the average, no nonsense, care free, easy going bulbophile. Cyrtanthus clavatus: this dwarf, white, cream or pale pink-flowering species from the Eastern Cape, with red-brown or green median stripes is dormant in winter and flowers in summer, and the bulbs should be planted with the necks just above ground level. Cyrtanthus elatus: previously known as Vallota speciosa aka as George Lily, Scarborough lily, is one of the most striking members of the genus and now grown world-wide for its cut flowers. The most cultivated colour is scarlet, but now the pinks and white forms are available as well. Complaints are often heard that this species flowers very erratically in cultivation, but some forms are just naturally more floriferous than others. The form usually cultivated by growers, reproduces vegetative at a sometimes alarming rapid rate-- the clumps become overcrowded very quickly and if they are not lifted, split up and replanted on a very regular basis, flowering can cease. They prefer full sun rather than shade and flower mainly in summer. Ideal for containers garden subjects and cutflowers. Cyrtanthus epiphyticus: A very attractive species from the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, with pendulous reddish-orange flowers in spring, September-October in the wild Cyrtanthus eucallus: This floriferous, orange-flowering species and numerous hybrids deserves wide horticultural attention. It is evergreen, multiplies quickly and requires a shady position. Summer flowering, easy species, and ideal container plant. Cyrtanthus falcatus: a beautiful trouble-free plant from KwaZulu-Natal. The "shepherd's crook" inflorescence emerges without warning in late spring and early summer, red or pinkish flushed green with a hint of yellow exterior of the tube, is soon followed by the broad bright green foliage. This is a remarkably tough species which easily withstand moisture during its winter dormant period. Cyrtanthus fergusoniae: a deciduous or evergreen species with bright red tubular flowers. This is nor an easy plant to maintain over an extended period, needing much less water in summer. Very attractive species, good for containers. Cyrtanthus galpinii: this dwarf, pink or orange flowering plant resembles C. sanguineus and is very beautiful. Dormant in winter and flowers in August-September in its native habitat. Cyrtanthus guthrieae: few adjectives adequately describe the beauty of this extremely rare species with its bright red flowers that reflect a golden sheen in the sun. Fortunately it is not too difficult to grow and with constant attention to avoid over-watering, it flowers faithfully every March-April in the Southern Hemisphere. Dormant in summer, but may occasionally be evergreen. Cyrtanthus herrei: the decorative evergreen, glaucous foliage is the main attraction, although the umbels of greenish-orange, pendulous flowers in late summer,rival any display by any other species. The huge bulb should be planted with the neck and about two-third of the bulb above ground level. Cyrtanthus loddigesianus: this floriferous, creamy-flowered species is one of the easiest Cyrtanthus species to grow. Mid-summer flowering. Cyrtanthus mackenii: probably the most easily grown of all the species. Numerous colour forms exist, and all are delightfully scented. This species particular ornamental when different colour forms are grown together in the same container. It likes to remain undisturbed for many years for best results. Ideal container subject, garden plant and cutflower. Cyrtanthus montanus:///one/ of the most striking species, producing orange umbels in autumn. This plant requires very infrequent watering-there is nothing quite as irretrievable as a bulb of C.montanus once it has started to rot. Usually evergreen, but needs to be almost bone-dry in winter. Cyrtanthus obliquus: in flower this stately plant is impressive in every way; its twisted evergreen, glaucous foliage combines magnificently with the sturdy peduncle or stalk of pendulous, yellow, red and green flowers. It prefers a full sun position, with at least two-third of the large bulb above ground. Requires much less water in winter, and blooms in spring and summer. Cyrtanthus obrienii:an evergreen spring species with red pendulous flowers. It is fairly attractive and quite a tough plant, preferring to stay in the same position for many years. Cyrtanthus sanguineus:///ideally/ suited to cultivation, this variable, very floriferous species is evergreen and blooms in mid-summer. Flower colour varies from bright pink to orange-red; well grown bulbs often produce two stem each. This species is particular suitable for hanging baskets. Cyrtanthus smithiae:///this/ deciduous, white or pale pink striped flowers, summer-growing plant has very attractive "corkscrew" foliage. The inflorescence appear promptly in early summer together with the new foliage. This is quite an easy species to grow provided it is kept absolutely dry in winter, and watered rather in frequently in summer. Cyrtanthus spiralis: very rare in the wild and one of the most difficult members to cultivate successfully over an extended period. It is usually evergreen in cultivation but needs to be kept almost bone-dry in summer, and given very infrequent waterings in winter. Coarse river sand or gravel must be incorporated into the growing medium and nicely coloured red flowers, one of my favourites. Cyrtanthus staadensis: this rare, floriferous plant deserves wide horticultural attention. Its bright orange-red flowers with their distinctive, dilated perianth tubes are carried on long peduncles or stalks, making it an ideal cutflower. This species prefers a sunny aspect and tends to be evergreen in cultivation. The species covered in this email represent only the more popular and rare species. Many Cyrtanthus species are rare or have a limited distribution range. Through habitat destruction, industrialisation, housing, some of these species are becoming increasingly threatened. It is obvious, therefore, that many species as possible should be preserved in cultivation. Best wishes, Bill Dijk