Nerine thoughts from Michael Homick
Diane Whitehead (Mon, 23 Aug 2010 21:49:44 PDT)

There has been some chat on the PBS site about Nerines. I am at the
moment somewhat removed from access to the site but felt I may be able
to contribute for a change to the exchange rather than being a lurker.

Paul and I were rather fortunate in 2007 to acquire an
extensive Nerine sarniensis hybrid collection from Mr. Charles Hardman.

History of the collection:
In 1952 Mrs Emma D. Menninger from Southern California and her
husband ordered 1 of every variety of the Exbury Collection from the
Rothschild Estate. This probably brought one of the premier Nerine
sarniensis collections to the USA. Mrs. Menninger was involved with
taking these plants and hybridizing, particularly nice whites. She
called her “new” hybrids the Green Oaks collection.

I believe in the 1960’s, the Menningers were involved in
an automobile accident that had a devastating effect on their ability
to garden. Mr. Charles Hardman volunteered to transplant their
extensive Nerine collection and was given 1 specimen of all the
varieties that had multiple bulbs available. It took a number of weeks
for Charles to transplant the collection.

Charles continued with hybridizing the Exbury and Green
Oaks and his varieties were grown under the name of the Holly Oaks
Collection. Charles also obtained plant material from Sir Peter
Smithers , Russell Grant, Harrison and others.

During this time period, from literature I have read the
original Exbury Nerines (UK) were placed in the capable hands of Sir
Peter Smithers, who hybridized the Exbury collection on. Sir Peter was
very specific and selective on the plant material and I am not sure
how much of the original Exbury material was retained. When Sir Peter
was unable to continue with the Nerine collection, it was returned to
the Rothschild Estate, where it resides today.

What we are growing
We are growing a vast number 2000+ flowering sized bulbs
of various known numbered crosses of mostly sarniensis. (Both parents
known). We also have a large number (300+) of named hybrids. The named
varieties we are growing has been attached asgrowlist.doc. We also
have a number of Nerine species growing.

Registration:
We have been trying to obtain a register of Nerine
hybrids or at least a check list to verify the validity of these
cultivars. Some names are traceable to articles written by Mrs.
Menninger and Charles Hardman in Plant Life and other publications. We
would like to only release “named” varieties if they have been
registered or after we have registered them appropriately ourselves.
I have also tried unsuccessfully to obtain a copy of the registration
form in order to take appropriate measurements and color gradients for
future registration. If anyone has contacts or availabily of this
information , Please, Please get in touch with me.
Availability:
A thorough inventory and photographic listing will be
done on the collection during the flowering season. Bulbs should be
available late spring as the growing season finishes. Email me
privately if interested.

Growing Conditions:
For those who are interested in our growing condition, we
are located in Central California. The climate has desert influence.
The summer temperatures are near 95F (32C) with plenty of sun and dry
atmosphere. The evening temperature do drop to around 68F (20C).
Winter growing conditions range from 66-80 F (19-27C) with sunny dry
conditions. Winter night temperatures can drop to freezing, but mostly
around 40F (5C). We have access to 4 gallon (15 L) plastic pails (11”
x 11” x 14”) (24cm x 24cm x 30cm) and plant 4-6 bulbs in each pail.
The mix utilized is a gravelly quick draining medium. A typical mix by
volume would be compost:1, shredded pine needles:1, charcoal:1, peat
moss:1, birds eye gravel:2. The bulbs are planted with the shoulder
and necks exposed. We water regularly during the growing season and
sparingly during the dormant phase. Our bulbs do not shrink in size
during their dormancy, or at least so we have not noticed. When we
water during the resting phase it is just a very quick spray over the
tops of the pots. I believe that the utilization of a deep pot is
beneficial. The roots can grow deep into the pot and although the top
of the pot around the bulbs may be very dry the roots still may have
available moisture for uptake to the bulb. We dug a few bulbs a week
or two ago and they were already initiating new root growth for the
season. Even though the bulbs seem not to show any shrinkage watering
from now until the initiation of flowering will result in noticeable
swelling of the bulb resulting in the bulbs splitting their tunics.
All our bulbs are grown under 70% shade cloth in their pails on
pallets raised on cinder blocks. During the coldest time of the year,
we will place a frost cover over the plants which protects for an
additional 2-3F. We had no frost damage to the plants last year with
excellent growth throughout the winter period.

From the literature I have read, Nerines have 3 flowering
seasons of bulbs “imprinted” in the bulb. Perhaps this can result in
sporadic flowering of bulbs if conditions are not ideal for multiple
consecutive years. We transplant our bulbs during the dormant stage,
but last year we were finishing up the last of our acquired bulbs
right into when the plants were sending up flower spikes with no
noticeable effect on the growing season.

Questions are freely accepted. I am currently where I
only have internet access once or twice a week, but Paul has regular
access. We can be contacted at:
michaelhomick @ gmail.com and farmerguys08 @ gmail.com.