Erin, These are really excellent suggestions! Now to locate sources... I had asked someone about Lycoris but they said it would be too hot. I'm glad you suggested them because I really love the flowers. I don't believe I have seen tulbaghia in South India but will look around. I would be very interested in hearing about new hybrids of these. Again, many thanks for writing. All good things. Narad On 25, Sep 2008, at 7:43 PM, jegrace wrote: > Narad- > > I would definitely suggest Rhodophiala bifida, Freesia laxa, a > couple of the > more heat loving Lycoris, and a couple of the Crocosmia that can > handle > excessive heat. All thrive in South Georgia but also loved my zone > 10b > microclimate in Southwest Florida. Also are they growing Tulbaghia > there? > I only have the common one but had heard that several new hybrids > were being > worked on. > > > Erin Grace, Thomasville, Georgia USA > > > -----Original Message----- > From: pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org > ] > On Behalf Of Narad (Richard Eggenberger) > Sent: Thursday, September 25, 2008 11:29 AM > To: Pacific Society Bulb > Subject: [pbs] Bulbs for South India > > September 25, 2008 > > Dear PBS members, > > As I prepare for my departure to India I am inspired to write all at > PBS for > your suggestions as to bulbs that will acclimatize in the hot > tropics of > southern India. We make our own compost from leaves, cow manure, > etc. so we > have control of soil mixes and sufficient although not plentiful > water, > except during the monsoon, October to December, when we can have a > few feet > of rain in a day or two! Soil pH is neutral to slightly acid. > > The red clay soil well amended with some sandy loam and ample > compost has > resulted in extensive reforestation creating a 'Green Belt' around the > evolving township. This has lowered temperatures about five > degrees Fahrenheit so that now our winter low dips to 65 degrees. > Some bulbs do quite well and I list these below for your information > and as > possible indicators for recommending other species. > > I would be most grateful for your suggestions and if there are any > spare > bulbs available we can give a donation receipt for the value on > request. > Currently I am in the process of arranging for a container load of > landscape > equipment such as mowers, aerator, nursery containers, etc. so I may > not be > able to reply to each of you until I get to India at the end of > October, but > that is one of the true benefits of the evolution in telecommunication > technology. > > I am still searching for a number of rain lilies which I list below > and > again, would be most grateful to receive a bulb or two (if they > could be > spared from valuable collections) for the rain lily hybridizing > program we > will begin in two months at the Matrimandir Gardens. > > List of bulbous and rhizomatous plants currently growing in and around > Auroville, Pondicherry and South India. Primarily only a species > and none > of the finer hybrids. > > Acidanthera bicolor > Alpinia sp. > Belamcanda > Canna > Costus > Crinum > Curcuma pallida > Dahlia (seasonal) > Drimiopsis kirkii > Eucharis grandiflora > Eurycles sylvestris > Gladiolus (seasonal) > Gloriosa superba > Habranthus > Haemanthus multiflorus > Hedychium > Hippeastrum - a pale orange form > Hymenocallis > Kaempferia pulchra > Kaempferia rotunda > Mirabilis > Pancratium > Polianthes > Zephyranthes > > List of Zephyranthes and related species I am currently seeking: > > Habranthus concolor > > Habranthus gracilifolius (H. extensis) > > Habranthus howardii > > Habranthus immaculatus > > Habranthus juncifolius > > Haylockia americana > > Pyrolirion aureum > > Pyrolirion flammeum > > Zephyranthes grandiflora - fertile strain > > Zephyranthes treatae > > Zephyranthes chlorosolen - best strain > > Zephyranthes smalii > > Zephyranthes Laredo Yellow > > Zephyranthes? Hjalmar Sandre > > Zephyranthes refugiensis > > Zephyranthes nymphaea > > Zephyranthes subflava > > Zephyranthes veracunda > > Zephyranthes veracunda rosea > > Zephyranthes latissamafolia > > Zephyranthes fosteri > > Zephyranthes crocifolia > > Zephyranthes erubescens > > Zephyranthes bella > > Zephyranthes longifolia > > Zephyranthes Starfrost > > Zephyranthes Big Shot > > Zephyranthes Libra > > Zephyranthes Horsetail Falls > > Zephyranthes Ellen Korsakoff > > Zephyranthes albiella > > Zephyranthes Teddy Buhler > > Zephyranthes bifolia > > Zephyranthes katherinae - darkest red and other shades > > Any of Dr. Howard's hybrids and Padre Cicereo's hybrids > > > Thank you again for your advice and suggestions for the > beautification of > these very special gardens. > > Richard M Eggenberger (Narad) > Director > Matrimandir Gardens > 'Peace' Auroville 605101 > India > > _______________________________________________ > pbs mailing list > pbs@lists.ibiblio.org > http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php > http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/ > > _______________________________________________ > pbs mailing list > pbs@lists.ibiblio.org > http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php > http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/