Misc Bulb Comments

Dear All;
A few years ago I got a few SMALL bulblets of the L-A Lily
hybrid "Aladdin Sun' (I think a Lee Populsen donation) from the
Seedex. These were the first LA hybrids I tried because I wasn't sure
of hardiness concerns, but this year they have matured into a large
glorious clump with 4 flowering stems at least 3 ft tall. big bright
'sunny' flowers. Thanks Lee and Seedex.

Two years ago I bought some Orienpets from a large commercial
bulb concern (maybe Van Bougendien) and they were puny marble size
bulbs. I was disappointed when they struggled to perhaps 15 inches
and meager blooms. 1 year later they are reaching for 6 ft and a
dozen buds each. Quite an impressive turn around.
My established Orienpets from Lily Garden (Very nice folks)
got serious freeze damage in late April, but are growing out of that
and looking good. I love these things.

Crinum have been behaving oddly. One C. bulbispermum 'Jumbo'
bloomed a month ago and set ripe seed about the time he rest of them
sent up their first spikes and it sent up more spikes. Very odd
timing.
I was recently in the Denver Botanic Garden where they grow
typical C. bulbispermum at perhaps 1/3 to 1/4th the size of 'Jumbo'.
Tiny little plants, but it may be the altitude.
Last year I donated some Crinum x powellii to the BX and I
wonder if any recipients will let me know (off list) if any bloomed
this year. I kept the rejects (shovel accidents) and they all came
up, but have not shown flower spikes yet. C. x powellii 'Alba' has
sent up its first stalk.

I grow a number of Arum species, but A. nigrum rarely sets
seed. This is a hardy species suited to light shade or full sun with
a near black spathe reliably hardy here. Both curious and attractive
and not terribly stinky either - a winner. This year I see at least 4
seed heads developing nicely so I'll be able to share this too
uncommon goody around.

Right now Lilies are the star of the garden from Asiatics to
Trumpets, to be followed by Orientals and Orienpets. The native L.
michiganense wanders around a semi-shaded site and is coloring up in
anticipation.

I just planted out a pot of "Edible Lily Bulbs' bought in a
Chinese market a couple years ago. I had them in a large pot and
wintered them in a cold frame, but the pot is bursting so they had to
be divided. I assume these are a cv of L. davidii, the usual species
that is eaten in China. The potted lilies have stayed short, but
should increase in the ground. This spring I ate many dishes in Gansu
Province that included lily scales. They claim in Gansu's capital,
Lanzhou, that they grow the best tasting lily bulbs in all of China.
Anyone have experience with these?

And some 'minor bulbs' looking nice- Tritelia, Anthericum,
Ornithogalum, etc.

Cannas were late in getting planted out, but really don't
make a show until summer. The last of the hardy glads - G. imbricata
is almost done. I think I lost G. gavandensis (sp?) in my ill timed
move last year, but if it is still alive, it will bloom later.
Now is the time to think about digging and dividing spring
bulbs that are just dormant.

Always some bulb of interest, doing something.

Bulbously Jim W.

--
Dr. James W. Waddick
8871 NW Brostrom Rd.
Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711
USA
Ph. 816-746-1949
Zone 5 Record low -23F
Summer 100F +