Haemanthus--TOW
Robert Hamilton (Wed, 08 Dec 2004 03:00:39 PST)

Hi all,

Thanks to Cameron for the introduction to this genus which
fascinates me.

Here in Australia Haemanthus coccinea and albiflos are
reasonably common. The former is an easy garden plant but I
find the latter sensitive to frost in my climate. I am hoping
some seed grown plants I have coming on will be more hardy.

While I havent yet grow any to flowering size H carneus ,
humilis and montanus grow well for me under shadecloth. In contrast
to its short growing season in its native enviroment I find H
montanus is in leaf for about 10 months of the year , loosing
leaves in early spring and reshooting in late spring.

Haemanthus amarylliodes for me does not behave in line with its
winter rainfall origin. Seeds (of var amarylloides) sown in
August 2001 germinated well , the sulked through 2002 to return
in early summer (December ) 2003 when leaves grew through to late
autumn. Once again the first leaf shoot has appeared on the
past few days. The problem is to water or not to water as it
is now getting quite dry here, at least in pots.

Any suggestions ?

Cheers,

Rob in Tasmania
Zone 9 equivalent