Lycoris -Last act
James Waddick (Thu, 18 Sep 2008 09:47:58 PDT)

Dear Friends,
As expected, the last Lycoirs to bloom are making a final weak show.
Although I know from the foliage that there must be at least
20 bulbs in place, 2 stalks have appeared on L. radiata radiata, the
sterile triploid clone.

I know this is considered a near weed in mild parts of the US
esp. the Gulf Coast where it multiplies like mad and blooms its head
off. The color is a nice rich red even though individual flowers are
among the smallest in the genus.

I think we had a good growing season, since in some years
there are no bloom on L. radiata at all so I should appreciate the 2
stalks I have even more. As good as the growing season is, there are
no stalks at all from L. houdyshelii which 'should' bloom
synchronously.

As these late blooms are appearing, earlier flowering
species have seeds ripening and I'll try to collect them as the
stalks fall over and hide the heads in the grass. Each flower can
produce upwards of a dozen seeds, but usually closer to 3 or 4 each.
Seeds on the largest species are easily the size of a English pea and
smaller species 1/2 that diameter.

Sad to see the display finish up after a good 6 weeks since
my first report on Aug. 6. There has been a literal rainbow of colors
and forms at a time when there is little else that can challenge the
Lycoris show here.

And I think they have all recovered from a disastrous freeze
in spring of last year that halted almost all bloom last fall.

Next year ! Best 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 +