Massonia question
Richard (Sun, 07 Nov 2010 14:57:11 PST)

Hmmm...Anyone have a good spiny form of M. echinata?

Richard

-----Original Message-----
From: pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Roy Herold
Sent: Sunday, November 07, 2010 2:21 PM
To: Pacific Bulb Society
Subject: Re: [pbs] Massonia question

Paul,

The pustules are definitely age related, and will show up in the
second
or third year after sowing. The BX247 bulbs that I sent in this
year
were from a very crowded seed pot (sorry!), and are probably a
bit
behind in development. All of the seedlings that I have grown of
this
selection eventually develop pustules. They will not flower
until after
the pustules show up, or so it seems.

That said, there are smooth or nearly smooth forms of M.
pustulata. Paul
Cumbleton from Wisley sent some seeds from a 'few pustules' form
to
BX181. These were sown in 2008, and all are now at the two-leaf
stage,
with no visible pustules. Some regular pustulata sown at the
same time
are covered with pustules, not as heavily as a mature plant, and
none
appear to have buds.

There is also a pustulate leaved form of M. jasminiflora. Seeds
from
Penroc, also sown in 2008, have resulted in very attractive
plants that
will bloom this year (jasminifloras seem to be quite
precocious). These
seem to have colored pustules with a green leaf surface. The
coloration
of M. pustulata is more in the form of blotches and streaks on
the leaf
surface that go right through the pustules without changing
color (got
that?).

Good luck...