Cryptostephanus haemanthoides
John Grimshaw (Fri, 25 Jul 2008 02:52:14 PDT)

Cryptostephanus haemanthoides comes from semi-arid bushland in East Africa
in sandy soil principally derived from decomposed granite. Annual rainfall
c. 500 mm in one or two annual wet seasons, but then dry and usually very
hot for most of the year. The plants I've seen of it were growing in open
places between shrubs or in savanna-type grassland. My collected plant was
not difficult to grow in a deep pot on a hot sunny windowsill, kept dry in
the British winter, buit I killed it by keeping it too cool one winter. My
conclusion is that it needs a dry warm resting period, but that it isn't
really particularly fussy.

As the bulk of the underground parts are the big fleshy roots one assumes
that care should be taken not to damage them.

Where in South Africa are you Pieter?

John Grimshaw

Dr John M. Grimshaw
Sycamore Cottage
Colesbourne
Nr Cheltenham
Gloucestershire GL53 9NP

Tel. 01242 870567

----- Original Message -----
From: "Aqua Flora" <aquaflorasa@telkomsa.net>
To: <pbs@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Friday, July 25, 2008 10:28 AM
Subject: [pbs] Cryptostephanus haemanthoides