Re: Lapeirousia Neglecta

David,
    The Garden (Journal of the Royal Horticultural Society) vol. 120 part7 
(July 1995) described how smoke and fire trigger germination of seed in South 
Africa, but not flowering.  A smoke extract may be available in the UK 
according to the article.
    If you can find a bottle of "liquid smoke" in your grocery store (spice, 
flavorings section), you might try diluting it with water and drenching the 
soil around the bulbs.  I bought a bottle of "Wright's concentrated all 
natural hickory seasoning liquid smoke" (103 ml).  I've been threatening to 
use it on some of my recalcitrant SA bulbs, but I haven't yet.  Ingredients 
are water and hickory smoke concentrate.
Good luck.
Richard
California

In a message dated 9/23/99 8:31:00 PM, dfield@cableinet.co.uk writes
<<Since moving into my new home 4 years ago, I have been replanting my
garden.

Many of the perennial plants are either Californian or South African.
Most of the
plants are grown from seed.

One such plant that has been growing for 2 years now, is Lapeirousia
Neglecta, a South African bulbous plant.  I have now learned that this
plant will only flower after a period of fire.

Does anyone know of a way to induce flowering without using fire.

In the wild, I assume the burnt vegetation would return nutrients to the
ground and that these nutrients trigger the bulbs into flowering.  If
this is true would it be possible to give the bulb a potash based feed
to trigger the flowers.

Any thoughts will be welcomed.

David Field.
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