Tropical bulbs
Narad (Richard Eggenberger) (Fri, 16 May 2008 09:08:20 PDT)

Dear PBS members,

My name is Richard Eggenberger, known as Narad in India where I am in
charge of building the Gardens of the Matrimandir in Auroville, South
India. There is a wealth of information on Auroville and the
Matrimandir on the internet as the vision of a universal city built on
the ideal of human unity.

I have sent my resume to Mary Sue Ittner and have been reading with
great interest your excellent articles on bulbs but am afraid I am
very deep water here as my focus for the past 40 years has been
tropical species. In this southern part of India the coolest night
with monsoon rain and wind may hit 68 degrees Fahrenheit!

Through the generosity of friends I have about 12 species and hybrids
of Zephyranthes and one sp. of Habranthus. I would be most grateful
if I could receive bulbs of other species and hybrids that I can carry
to India when I return each year from late October to first March
during the best planting season. We would like to begin a hybridizing
program for the species for which I am especially fond as its
spiritual significance in the language of the flowers is "Prayer'. If
there are other bulbs that can adapt to this climate, 11 degrees north
of the equator, hot and humid, I would be most appreciative of your
suggestions. We do grow Crinum (only one or two varieties), Eurycles,
Eucharis, Polianthes, and one or two species of Amaryllis that can
withstand the intense heat of summer.

In any case, I wanted to introduce myself and complement all of you on
your expertise.

Sincerely,

Richard M. Eggenberger (Narad)