Gloriosa superba

They were a good 15cm upwards.

!!!!!!!!!! Deffo horizontally!

Mega, mega tubers.

 

I have a feeling that I picked up some tubers from Chris @ Himalayan Gardens a month or so ago & they are sitting in my living room waiting for attention - can I plant them out this weekend ?

 

You'll have too. No point waiting until next year as they would dislike that long a dry storage period.

 

The littonia is pretty but doesn't have the wow factor of a gloriosa. But why not grow both?

I don't think gloriosa is so difficult that it should put people off. If I can grow it from seed and keep it for 4 or 5 years just about anyone could! If I had been more careful about watering they'd probably still be fine.

 

Spot on! Follow the basics and it's easy.

 

This is the first year I've tried growing it outside, the plant appears to be stunted, but the flower colour might be a bit more intense.
The plan was to let it wander up through the strelitzia, and get pics of both in flower together, but its not really turned out that way.

 

I don't know if anyone has mentioned, but I'm sure these are toxic enough to be used for suicide and assassination.
Caaaaareful around kids and animals.

 

That looks more like the true G.superba @pete .
I grew it up until the mice got the tubers. Lighter colour than Rothschildiana, but I found it taller growing even outdoors.
G.superba......................


G.superba Rothschildiana....................

 

If they're stooopid enough to eat them....................

 

The tubers are very old, possibly 20yrs or so, it was bought at the time as Rothchilidiana, as I say, the habit is much shorter being grown outside and the flower colour is slightly different.

Should add, I find the flower colour alters as the flower ages.

 

The photo of my true G.superba was of it grown outdoors in a 30cm pot - 2.5 metres plus.

 

Something has been eating mine, found a few caterpillars. It flowered a few weeks back and since hasn't done much. This was as good as it got.

 

As it should.

@pete and @John Harruison - I do wonder if they grow better in pots as the soil is warmer? Just a thought............

 

Mines outside, but in a pot, dont think it would like my clay soil, lol.

 

I would agree with that, how much water do they like? I don't let it dry out for more than 2-3 days if it doesn't rain, moderate watering really.