Crinum bulbispermum display
James Waddick (Thu, 10 May 2012 06:14:02 PDT)

Dear PBS ers,
I have to brag a bit about my current abundance of Crinum
bulbispermum. This is a species I have now grown for well over a
decade originally form seed of 'Jumbo', from Marcelle Shepard. I now
have some older plants which I find are pupping and creating very
large clumps. I had understood the C. bulbispermumm was slow ,
reluctant or just did not pup.

Although this was the case for a number of years, slowly
older plants have built up into substantial clumps. One clump
currently has 6 stems in full bloom and it is glorious. As flowers
open ear white and age to near red, a full palette of shades is
present right now with many more to open.

I planted a half dozen young seedlings a year or two ago and
these are aalmst all producing one of two flowering stalks each on
first bloom this year.

I can understnad why commercial growers would 'push' C. x
powellii for an introductory Crinum in cold climates. It pups like
crazy, quite hardy through Zone 5 and reliable bloom. C. bulbispermum
has MUCH nicer , more open flowers and with time pups, too. Both can
be grown with deep initial planting and minimal to no winter mulching.

Last year I dug out one of my older clumps of C. x powelli
and continue to reduce the plants of this species in the garden .
Although always easy to give away I feel sort of bad knowing it is
not as good an example of a hardy Crinum as I should be pushing.

If anyone in Zone 5 has wondered about growing a truly hardy
Crinum, I cannot emphasize C. bulbispermum too much. Seeds are almost
always donated to the Seed Ex. Germination and growth are easy and
fast, but seedlings need winter protection the first winter or two;
then planted deep in their permanent location they will reward the
gardener with years of increased bloom and growth.

More to bloom - wonderful. 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 +