Propagating Eucomis vandermerwei
Bonsaigai37@aol.com (Wed, 04 Feb 2004 04:21:35 PST)

Hello Fellow Eucomis Fans,
I also found that my E. vandermervei is quite shy about seed production. Of
the three I have from seed, one bloomed in 9 months. I was diligently
pollinated and only one capsule formed. The others are sitting quietly. I will
attempt again with the other two distinct clones and see if the plant is somewhat
more fertile with that pollen. As for the leaf production, I had no success
from a leaf accidentally severed in midsummer. I will try it on the plants
that have not become dormant (2 of 3 are still "green" but not actively growing).

An unusual formation on a floral stem from last August was found last week.
I let the vase dry out and left the inflorescenses because they looked nice,
even dead. While cleaning out the now weary stems, I found one, without water
or soil, was still alive and had calloused, producing bulbous growths on the
base of the stem! Outrageously tenacious! They were a mixed grouping of E.
bicolor/autumnalis/comosa. I didn't keep track, but I think it's a comosa.

Best regards,
Michael