Ungernia sewerzowii
David Victor (Mon, 29 Nov 2010 11:22:29 PST)

Dear all,

I have posted to the WIKI some photos of this species in flower taken
by me in the Tien Shan in July 2008. On this journey I saw it
several times at various altitudes, although travelling a very
similar route three years previously I had totally failed to see it.

It is a striking plant, with very variable flower colours, but almost
unknown in cultivation. I don't find this particularly surprising as
I have had seed several times and always failed to germinate
them. However, this year my luck seems to be turning, as I do have
some early signs of germination on seed collected fairly
recently. Whether it is my technique or the freshness of the seed
which determines success I don't know. However, from what I have
heard from the few people that I have traced who have grown this
plant, flowering it is even more difficult than germinating the seed.

For those who may be interested further, I did write an article on
the plant and my encounters with it for the RHS "The Plantsman"
magazine, which was published in June 2009.

Best regards,
David Victor