James I I seed have tried it of Pillansia, after approximately three months I have only obtained two I plant some, than later on I have lost, after some months in the spring to be dulled an other plant, also this after a month I have lost ----- Original Message ----- From: "James Hitchmough" <j.d.hitchmough@sheffield.ac.uk> To: "Pacific Bulb Society" <pbs@lists.ibiblio.org> Sent: Monday, December 14, 2009 6:06 PM Subject: [pbs] Pillansia templemannii >I grew some Pillansia from seed from Silverhill too. They were > overwintered in a cold glasshouse last winter, and exposed to about -5C. > About half of the 6-9month old seedlings tolerated this, the others > died. I think this spp requires extremely well drained soils, in its > habitat soils look like coarse sand. I grew them in a 50:50 mix of grit > and a proprietory peat based compost. Had I grown them in pure sand I > think more would have survived. The survivors were put outside in spring > and then under glass lights during an extended period of heavy summer > rain (for weeks and weeks). To be honest they did not show any signs of > damage from this; it was a "just in case" action. Unfortunately I sort > of forgot about them and by September they had browned off as a result > of drought. I transplanted them to a very free draining compost > (grit/sand 80%: peat compost 20%) in September. The roots had shrivelled > but the corms looked good, although only about 5 mm across. They are now > sitting in a cold frame, but have not resprouted yet. I think they may > yet do so but perhaps the drought stress has thrown them into some form > of extended dormancy? It may just be 5-10C (the average temp in the > frames) is just too low for them to initiate veg growth at present? > > I think the uncultivatable suggestions in Bryans book are based on > heresay. My experience thus far suggests that like Tritoniopsis the > critical cultivation factor is probably extremely well drained, highly > aerated compost. Coarse sand only or Seramis are probably the way > forward. Getting them to flower may be another issue, they seem to be an > obligate fire responder. Hope this is useful > > James > > > > > > > > > > > -- > Dr James Hitchmough > Professor of Horticultural Ecology > Department of Landscape > University of Sheffield > S10 2TN UK > > _______________________________________________ > pbs mailing list > pbs@lists.ibiblio.org > http://pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php > http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/