Re: Bulbs and succulents

Some common S. African bulbs that flourish here in the Bay Area and tolerate summer water are Chasmanthe (formerly Montbretia) and Freesia (both species and hybrids). Amaryllis belladonna might work too, if you like pink.

Keep us posted on your results, it is a great idea. A lot of bulbs that don't want any summer water also don't like to dry out completely (e.g., Nerine saniensis).

On Sun, Jul 20, 2008 at 3:03 PM, N Sterman <T*@plantsoup.com> wrote:
Hi Ben

If I were you, I'd start with some of the easier south african summer dormant bulbs such as watsonias and species gladiolus.  Refine your technique before you move on to the more precious bulbs.  


On Jul 19, 2008, at 8:13 AM, Ben Wiswall wrote:

Hi all,
I'd like to try growing a few rare, expensive, touchy-about-water bulbs, and was thinking about companion planting them with succulents in pots.  For instance, growing Calochortus albus in a pot with Dudleyas in a well-draining medium, or a Brunsvigia orientalis in a pot of Echeverias and Graptopetalums.  Has anyone had experience with this?  Succulents in pots of sandy soil in my experience do well with weekly watering, but is this too much for the bulbs?  Would a clay soil and two-week irrigation be preferable?
Any advice would be welcome before I waste money and kill rare bulbs.
Thanks!
-Ben Wiswall


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