Boophone from South Africa....is there any interest?

15 years ago

Hi all, As many know I import large numbers of bulbs every year, mostly as co-ops these days. I just got in some nice large Boophone disticha (somtimes spelled Boophane, but I have been corrected) a week ago. I'm not sure there is interest amongst the growers here in these more unusual plants, but if there is please let me know and I will include you in my next order. You have been well-versed in the rules of engagement by now so I will not bore people with the details here. I will say the Phyto fee is $25 so it is cheap by comparison to OZ.

The last bulbs I received cost $25 each and they weighed in at right around 1 Kg each so they cost $23 to ship from SA. So, these are not hybrid Hippis....they cost more than that which tends to turn people off. Let me know if there is interest and I will forward details when I get them....I am going to order with my ususual cast of characters anyway so if no one is interested it is not a big deal at all....just passing on the opportunity.

I should say that these bulbs also have very well defined dormancies and so rooting them back out is not just a matter of dropping them in dirt and watering!!

Obviously, I get in Crinum, Ledebouria, etc., etc., etc. but for here I'll just limit it to some Boophone....the actual price he will charge depends on exactly what size he has available at the time.

Anyway, if there is interest in the more unusual Amaryllids from SA then let me know and you can go in on an order as long as you understand the risks and details...that last part is critical :o) Dan

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Comments (7)

jodik_gw
15 years ago
You get Ledebouria in your orders, too? Very cool, Dan! I have a small piece that Kitty sent me, and it's beginning to fill the pot with offsets. I love those mottled leaves, and it's surprisingly easy to grow!

I'd love to obtain some of the more interesting items from SA, but now is a bad time for me. My plant bank is currently empty.

This is my luck... every single time I'm broke, everything I want to get either goes on sale or becomes accessible! It never fails!

At some future date, I'm sure I'll be emailing you about getting a few things... I'm just sorry it can't be now.

However, Dan... I always enjoy seeing pictures of what you've got growing or blooming... you do have a very unique plant collection!
bluebonsai101
Original Author
15 years ago
Hi Jodi,

Yeah, Ledebouria, but none of the common ones....some have amazing leaves, others just odd, rare ledebouria!!

I also get in Brunsvigia (mostly these are winter growers, but not all), Gethyllis (winter growers), Cyphostemma, Crinum (recently I got foetidum, acaule, delagoense, lugardiae and minimum), Massonia, Daubenya, Strumaria, etc.

Most of these are from Charles Craib at Penroc Specialty Plants and they are for the most part only specimen size bulbs.....no small plants from this seller for the most part. Since there is a group of us that have spent well on the far side of a reasonable amount in the past year or so we get all the lists now and wholesale prices, but they are still big, expensive bulbs so a really limited group of people are interested in such things I realize.

You are more than welcome if anything catches your fancy :o) Dan
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jodik_gw
15 years ago
If I had the funds, I could easily spend a good sized fortune obtaining the plant types I'd love to have! I know that collecting some of the more unique specimens can run into the bigger bucks, but for a serious collector, it's worth it.

Everything you mention catches my fancy... but I just haven't got a good plan for robbing the bank quite yet! ;-)

Ah, (sigh) one of these days I'll be able to delve into more serious collecting... just not today. But if anything rare or interesting blooms for you, I'd really enjoy seeing it!

Back to reality... I've got your email on file, and I always keep you in mind as a source. The offer is much appreciated. :-)
bluebonsai101
Original Author
15 years ago
I'm guessing there will be little interest as there are just so many crazies willing to spend $50 and up for bulbs from SA, but for me I'd rather have these Amaryllids so I wanted to pass along the opportunity to others just in case. These can take 10 years to get to blooming size in fairly ideal conditions and in my climate they may never get there so I like to buy bulbs that are way, way, way beyond blooming size to start with......then I can just sit back and enjoy.....expensive though :o) Dan
blancawing
15 years ago
Hi Dan,

Another interesting bulb with medicinal value.

Extracts of Boophone disticha (Amaryllidaceae) are used in SA to treat inflammatory conditions. They are also reputed to have therapeutic effects on the immune system.

I am interested! Please send details when available, and keep me in mind when you order unusual Amaryllids from SA.

Many thanks,

Blanca
chazparas
15 years ago
Dan, I'm interested but need to research how to keep one in my area. I have extrememly limited space and they look huge! Please keep me posted as you get more info. I'd problably be more apt to get one if you order next season.
Thanks,
Chaz
bluebonsai101
Original Author
15 years ago
Hi Blanca, When I get some info from one of my sources for Amaryllids, including the Boophone I will try to post here and let people know they can contact me for details, but I realize they are expensive bulbs!!

Chaz, most, but not all B. disticha are summer growers, requiring lots of sun and not so much water. I grow mine in pure pumice or equivalent and then water 2-3x per week and fertilize once per week and they do fine. They have very long, perennial roots so a deep pot is a good idea to give the roots room so they will flower after getting established. Not one of the really tough ones, but not as easy as Ammocharis either :o) Dan

Boophone from South Africa....is there any interest?

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Boophone from South Africa....is there any interest?

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