When do Flowers Form in Amaryllids
Joe Shaw (Thu, 17 Aug 2006 16:35:36 PDT)

Hi Gang,

I still don't have good information about Crinum. However, the material at
the link below (an abstract) clearly indicates that at least some Nerine
species start forming flower buds 2 seaons before the flower emerges. The
final touches (egg and sperm maturation) might not happen till closer to
flowering.

The point is that flowering can be influenced by events that happend 2 years
before you see the flowers. So, take good care of you plants if you want
flowers two years hence.

I suspect that Crinum follow a similar pattern.

NOTE:
It might be that, if plants are stressed by drought or some other factor,
the two year lag-time might even become a 3- or 4-year lag time. Plants
have a variety of mechanisms to gauge environmental conditions: 1) what
has happended and how might such be important for seedlings, and 2) what has
happend and how might such be relevant for "when to make seeds." (just a
guess)

If anyone has the article and cares to send it to me, I will appreciate it.
I'm too much a "penny pincher" to spring for the cost.

LINK:
Embryogenesis and Seed Germination of Nerine
http://www.actahort.org/books/430/430_18.htm

Cordially,

Joe Shaw
Still hot in Conroe, TX