Bulbous Plants – Flowering Calendar

Spring Flowering

Albuca nelsonii - Candelabrum Lily (Flowers in Sep to Dec)

Albuca tortulosa - (Flowers in Oct)

Aristea ecklonii - Blue Stars (Flowers in Oct to Dec)

Boophane disticha – Tumbleweed (Flowers in Jul to Oct)

Bulbiine abyssinian - Golden Stars (Flowers in Spring)

Bulbine frutescens - Stalked Bulbine (Flowers in Sept to Jun)

This is another audio book, written by Stephen Buchmann. " Flowers and the fruits that follow, feed, clothe, sustain, and inspire all humanity. Flowers are used to celebrate all occasions, to express love and are also the basis of global industries. Americans buy 10 million flowers a day, and perfumes are a worldwide industry worth 30 billion dollars annually. Stephen Buchmann takes us along on an exploratory journey of the role that flowers play in the production of our food, spices, medicines and perfumes while simultaneously bringing joy and health."

During June, July and August the Clivia seed is red, or yellow, if you have yellow flowering plants, and is ripe and ready to be planted. Scrape off the fleshy outer covering, which is apparently very good for your nails and cuticles. Spray the seed with Jik to prevent mould. Place the seed on top of the soil in a seed tray and cover with leaf litter or chunky compost. Water and wait. Don't be surprised when the root comes out first and goes up in the air before bending down into the soil. This root seems to drag the seed down and the leaves will soon unfold.

The language of flowers dates back to the early Chinese Dynasties and was brought to Europe by the King of Sweden in 1714. Queen Victoria’s fascination with the language of flowers in 1847 prompted her to spread the word throughout the world. Ironically it came full circle as Kate Middleton chose specific flowers for her bouquet when she married William in 2011. The flowers Kate used in her bouquet were : Lily of the Valley for the return of happiness. Hyacinth for the constancy of love. Ivy for fidelity and friendship. Other South African flower meanings :

Clivia do like an acid soil and you can achieve this by adding bark chips to the soil as it lowers the PH levels. Don't forget to add compost and mulch well. Keep the plants dryish during the winter as this will stimulate the formation of flower spikes. Enjoy a mass of flowers in Spring!