Bomarea (Leontochir) ovallei
Mary Sue Ittner (Fri, 09 Nov 2012 06:50:43 PST)

The message below was held since it was too big as it included all of
the previous digest.

For Nhu, Peter, Alberto, and All,

I've been growing B. ovallei for about 8 years at San Francisico
State University. My largest plant is close to the size of the one in
your picture and produces from 5 to 10 umbels each year. They emit a
strong, pleasant, honey-like smell and are of very tough substance -I
suppose to stand up to rodent or bird pollination? I've found that
this plant is completely self fertile, producing large amounts of
seed, but as yet I get very poor germination: 2 out of 60 last year.
Would appreciate any hints on this and have tried GA3 soak and
cool/moist stratification without reward. When I see the first shoots
come up with cool fall temperatures, I begin watering and once the
leaves expand a bit, heavy feeding. I also raise the plants up to be
closer to our HPS lights. I will be posting pictures on our Friends
of the SFSU Greenhouse blog soon: fotgh.org

Martin Grantham