Velthemia Seeds

A number of people have referred to the growth habit of Velthemia
bracteata in their setting. For me in the southern climate of Australia
the bulbs start to grow in Autumn and by winter are very verdant and a
few flower stems are appearing. Looking at the time I collected the seed
reveals that it was early summer when I finally collected the seed.
The plants are almost ever green but I tend to feel that I should
impose at least a slightly longer dormant period as I have had a few
bulbs rot and they probably would not suffer any detrimental effects if
given a few months rest. Some plants do go completely dormant for a few
weeks others have new growth starting before the old leaves completely
die off. Our climate is closest to cold climate 9b with some frost over
night in winter but very dry hot conditions in summer. I do give
supplementary water as the bulbs are in pots among other pot grown bulbs
and general plants. Even when the plants are kept out of the sun the
light levels are probably quite high. Full sun here seems to be too hot
and probably dry for the leaves which wilt quite seriously and in this
condition become burnt.
Looking at Richard Wagner's comments would very much translate from
northern to southern hemispheres as being very compatible. The only
difference is that mine seem to flower earlier in the eight month
(September-April) stretch that he has referred to.
I have not worried much about timing of seed sowing and have
certainly kept the small plants growing through the first summer
especially if the seed is sown fresh or after being stored for a year.
For growing these bulbs in a mild climate I think I would suggest a
sunny spot sheltered from frost.
A further interesting point arises from how I have treated bulbs
that have rotted at the base. Unlike many bulbs that die completely if
the base plate is destroyed Velthemia seem to be capable of producing
small bulbils from the damaged surfaces. I cut away all rot, dust with
sulphur and keep away from desiccating sun and watch the bulbils form.

Regards
Don Journet

Brian Whyer wrote:

What I grow as Veltheimia bracteata flowers in early spring for me too. I
have green seed pods at present, and I allow the tired leaves to dry off in
the summer, although according to this link
http://actahort.org/members/showpdf/… it is evergreen in
the wild.
I have mentioned this before, but, in the winter light levels in the UK the
flower colour varies considerably. As a house plant my flowers are a very
pale pink. In the greenhouse if not turned occasionally the south side is a
good deep pink, the north side much paler, especially if it faces other
plants rather than the glass.

Brian Whyer, Buckinghamshire, England

My experience with Veltheimia bracteata in So. CAl is that it is a pure
winter grower. It begins to leaf out in Sept/Oct and blooms in

March/April.

The leaves rapidly disappear after blooming. Currently they are in seed
which, in groups, is also quite attractive .
Richard Wagner
Vista, CA

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