@CG100: pumice and perlite are very different. They have a similar origin but are not the same. Perlite floats to the top of media, has micro-pores and will compact. Pumice is what the old-fashioned foot scourers were made of. It has very large pores that roots can penetrate andis most similarto scoria. Apparently inthe UK these things are very different but then again as you say "These things don't travel well"
Back to the original question.
Here's a link showing deformis in habitat:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/168623755
I have chosen that observation because I know that general location quite well - when I was a conscript in the South African military in 91 I had to patrol that area
The habitat is formally known as Scarp Forest. It is a tall (15-25m), species-rich and structurally, multilayered forest with well-developed canopy and understorey tree layers but for the most part a poorly developed herb layer.
The geology is mostly sandstone and soil are shallow, leached and nutrient poor.
The bulk of the rainfall is from October to March but there is still precipitation during the winter months. The average rainfall in summer is around 120mm per month whereas in winter it is around 30mm per month.
The daily maximum temperature throughout the year is about 27°C and the daily minimum temperature during summer is around 20°C but in winter it is around 12°C.
I recommend a growing medium of two parts sand (in Japan there is an aquarium supply company by the name of ADA - Aqua Design Ammano - they sell what they call cosmetic sand that is river sand from the Amazon) half part leaf mould or fine compost and half part Coco peat. Once the bulb is planted top the growing medium with a layer of pure sand to stop the organic matter from floating to the top. Use plastic or glazed ceramic containers to prevent the roots from drying out. It grows mostly in rocky habitats and the roots are protected from drying out.
Back to the original question.
Here's a link showing deformis in habitat:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/168623755
I have chosen that observation because I know that general location quite well - when I was a conscript in the South African military in 91 I had to patrol that area
The habitat is formally known as Scarp Forest. It is a tall (15-25m), species-rich and structurally, multilayered forest with well-developed canopy and understorey tree layers but for the most part a poorly developed herb layer.
The geology is mostly sandstone and soil are shallow, leached and nutrient poor.
The bulk of the rainfall is from October to March but there is still precipitation during the winter months. The average rainfall in summer is around 120mm per month whereas in winter it is around 30mm per month.
The daily maximum temperature throughout the year is about 27°C and the daily minimum temperature during summer is around 20°C but in winter it is around 12°C.
I recommend a growing medium of two parts sand (in Japan there is an aquarium supply company by the name of ADA - Aqua Design Ammano - they sell what they call cosmetic sand that is river sand from the Amazon) half part leaf mould or fine compost and half part Coco peat. Once the bulb is planted top the growing medium with a layer of pure sand to stop the organic matter from floating to the top. Use plastic or glazed ceramic containers to prevent the roots from drying out. It grows mostly in rocky habitats and the roots are protected from drying out.