>From: Rand Nicholson <writserv@nbnet.nb.ca>
>Reply-To: Pacific Bulb Society <pbs@lists.ibiblio.org>
>To: Pacific Bulb Society <pbs@lists.ibiblio.org>
>CC: BULBS-L@NIC.SURFNET.NL
>Subject: [pbs] Lachenalia
>Date: Wed, 6 Apr 2005 13:02:23 -0300
>
>I have an unknown Lachenalia that I have had for years. It is a single
>bulb, the others that arrived with it just rotted away. It has multiple
>wavy-edged leaves, some of which it keeps all winter (indoors in Canada)
>and a spread of about 8", height 6-7". It suddenly decided to bloom and the
>grayish-green bud stem is still closed not having cleared the leaves yet.
>Been like that for weeks. I will try to identify it when it blooms, or post
>a pic if I cannot. Can't seem to find a match for it on the wikki.
>
>In the meantime, do I feed the thing? It is in a 6" pot in a sunny window
>and (finally) seems quite happy.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Rand
Dear Rand:
It sounds more like Chlorogalum pomeridianum than a species
of Lachenalia.
No, do not feed it until the seed setting is over. The period
in which a winter or spring flowering bulbs is voracious is after the flower
is produced until the leaves are drying off. There is another previous
period in which it uses proper food and it is that between the root
production and the emergence of the first leaf in Autumn. Use something high
in potassium and with low or no nitrogen.
Regards
Alberto
in the pampas of Argentina
.
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