Southern hemisphere bulbs issue.

I'm actually kind of inclined to buy a Hippeastrum bulb and try and grow it in a drybed setting.. I wonder!

 

Palustris - this is what I got from the seed that I received as A.shawii..............


Feel free to correct me if I've got it wrong!
Seed sown late Oct 2011 in the conservatory. When I moved house they were put in the greenhouse in May. Blooming by Oct 2012.

I learnt to my cost a week or two later the importance of respecting their natural conditions when they keeled over - I had overwatered them and was left with just two bulbs that were not mushy. As they were blooming I kept watering well without considering the cooler night temps.

I failed miserably to coax the large A.nelsonii bulb to bloom - any tips appreciated.

 

Definitely looks like A. shawii. They need to be kept dry over winter in my experience. Once the leaves have begun to die down I stop watering. I even have been known to take them out of the compost and store dry. I lost a lot of them last winter because even the dry compost froze.

 

I killed mine before the leaves got that far

My two remaining bulbs are being stored dry.

 

I did try to send you a PM about A humilis. I may also have some A. shawii seed to spare, but not sure without going and looking. Out all day tomorrow so I will check on Sunday, that is if you need some.