Crinum bulbispermum
| Crinum bulbispermum | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 3' |
| Width: | 2' |
| Blooms: | Early Summer-Late Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Crinum bulbispermum
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe, placing 2 - 3 seeds in individual pots in a greenhouse. Do not cover the seed. Sow stored seed April/May in a warm greenhouse. Once they have germinated, you can thin each pot to just one plant if required, though we have not found this to be necessary. Give an occasional liquid feed to ensure that the plants do not suffer nutritional deficiencies. Grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first 2 years, planting them out into their permanent positions in the spring.
Division of offsets in April/May or in September. When divided in the spring, the bulbs can be planted out direct into their permanent positions, if done in September, however, they should be potted up and overwintered in the greenhouse.
Cultivation: Easily grown in a moist soil or the garden border[1]. Requires a rich well-drained soil in a warm sheltered sunny position[2].
Plants are only hardy in the milder areas of the country, tolerating temperatures down to about -10°c[1]. It is probable that the plants may require winter protection with dry leaves or bracken[1].
Bulbs are sensitive to transplanting and may take several years to establish. The bulbs should be planted with their necks above soil level[3]. This conflicts with another report which says that they should be planted quite deeply in the soil[4]. Only plant out good sized bulbs and do so at the end of May[4].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[3].
The flowers emit a sweet, somewhat spicy odour which is especially pronounced at nightfall[5].
Range: S. Africa - S. Transvaal and N. Natal.
Habitat: Seasonal pools, marshes and the banks of rivers[1].
Edibility: Root?? A number of species in this genus have edible bulbs. Although no records have been seen for this species, it is fairly hardy in Britain and the root can be as large as a football. It is worthy of investigation[K].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: One report says that the plant is toxic to mammals, but gives no indication as to the degree of toxicity.
Also Known As: C. longifolium. C. capense.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Bulbs. Pan Books, 1989.
- ↑ Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.