Ornithogalum failure to break dormancy

Ornithogalum failure to break dormancy
Jonathan via pbs (Sun, 07 Dec 2014 14:15:58 PST)

I have had one (acquired potted from Lowe's) for 3 years. It is planted in a very low mound of soil that is covered with a thin layer of crushed granite (3/8"). It has flowered each of the last 2 years and foliage has been evident for about a month this year. If it doesn't rain, the entire garden gets well-watered at least once a week, so a week doesn't go by that the bulb is not exposed to moisture. In addition, our rainy season is summer and averages over 50" yearly. Typical summer temps are in the 90s. This might suggest that it is heat and not moisture that is the main factor.
Jonathan LubarAlachua FL z8b (although the O. dubium is in a garden in Gainesville 9a)

From: Colin Davis <codavis@ucdavis.edu>
To: Pacific Bulb Society <pbs@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Sunday, December 7, 2014 3:10 PM
Subject: Re: [pbs] Ornithogalum failure to break dormancy (and people asking to unsubscribe)

I have had similar experience with Albuca and Ornithogalum. Moving up to
northern California where summers are cool (60's-70's) from the central
valley where summer temperatures routinely get into the upper 90's-low
100's, I have noticed exactly what you say, that bulbs do not properly
break dormancy come fall. Masses of healthy roots emerge, but no foliage
nor flowers. This was never the case when they were subjected to strong
heat and desiccating conditions. It seems the key may be not just complete
lack of water but also HIGH temperatures.

Curious to hear if others have similar experiences.

Colin

On Sun, Dec 7, 2014 at 11:42 AM, <hpovey@talk21.com> wrote:

If they have roots but no shoots then the bulbs did not go into dormancy
for long enough and after this there is nothing you can do to wake them up
until the next year. Amazingly the bulbs do not rot,but just sit with no
shoots and nice white roots.

To ensure dormacy they require total dry and hot for at least 3 months.

Hugh

________________________________
From: Nicholas Plummer <nickplummer@gmail.com>
To: Pacific Bulb Society <pbs@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Saturday, 6 December 2014, 13:17
Subject: [pbs] Ornithogalum failure to break dormancy (and people asking
to unsubscribe)

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Thank you.

Now, bulb content: for the past few years, I have been growing the orange
flowered Ornithogalum dubium that are widely available in the late winter
(mine came from Trader Joes). I keep them dry and warm in summer and repot
in late September, and they have bloomed reliabley. This year they failed
to break dormancy. I just dumped them out of the pot, and the bulbs appear
healthy; there's just no growth. The Wiki says that failure to grow is a
common problem with this species, but I'm wondering if I should continue to
water during the usual growth period even though the bulbs aren't doing
anything. Would that just be asking them to rot?

Nick

Durham, NC Zone 7

Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 6, 2014, at 1:51 AM, <clawler9@cox.net> wrote:

Hi
Please remove me from the list. Thanks
Jeff Biletnikoff
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