I'm Pat Hudnall, a bulb grower in Houston. A wide variety of bulbs can be grown in the Houston area. Some may take a little care regarding placement and protection during our rare hard frosts. Of course topping the list are hybrid Hippeastrum. H. x-jonhsonii grows wild in a few areas. Appleblossom is a popular variety in the area. I've grown dozens of commercially available hybrids and have hybridized dozens more. Epiphytic Hippeastrum species are more easily grown here than most places. Rain lilies are native to the area. I am growing Worsleya. It's gotten big but no blooms yet. Crinum are largely plant-and-forget and widely grown. Rhodophilia bifida is solid. Various Spider lilies naturalize. With protection, Clivia. The Houston Garden Club has it's annual Bulb Mart in late summer. Find details online. I've already placed my order for this year. On Fri, Jul 24, 2020 at 7:00 AM <pbs-request@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> wrote: > Send pbs mailing list submissions to > pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://lists.pacificbulbsociety.net/cgi-bin/… > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > pbs-request@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net > > You can reach the person managing the list at > pbs-owner@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of pbs digest..." > List-Post:<mailto:pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net > List-Archive:<http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php > Today's Topics: > > 1. Houston bulbs (Jane Sargent) > 2. Re: Houston bulbs (Mary Sue Ittner) > 3. Re: Houston bulbs (Carlo A. Balistrieri) > 4. Re: Houston bulbs (Lee Poulsen) > 5. Too late to plant seed of summer growers? (Nicholas plummer) > 6. Re: Too late to plant seed of summer growers? (Jim McKenney) > 7. Re: Too late to plant seed of summer growers? (Robert Lauf) > 8. Re: Too late to plant seed of summer growers? > (Carlo A. Balistrieri) > 9. saffron (EJ) > 10. Re: saffron (Tim Eck) > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Jane Sargent <jane@deskhenge.com> > To: pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net > Cc: > Bcc: > Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2020 09:53:40 -0400 > Subject: [pbs] Houston bulbs > I was asked what pretty bulbs could be used for landscaping in Houston, TX > and had no idea. Can someone help? The place sounds like a hot swamp. Would > Megaspekasma erythrochlamis grow there? > > Sent from my iPhone > > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Mary Sue Ittner <msittner@mcn.org> > To: Jane Sargent via pbs <pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> > Cc: > Bcc: > Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2020 07:44:52 -0700 > Subject: Re: [pbs] Houston bulbs > We once had a topic of the week, bulbs for Texas. You can see some of > the posts here. > > > https://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbslist/2003-June/… > > On 7/23/2020 6:53 AM, Jane Sargent via pbs wrote: > > I was asked what pretty bulbs could be used for landscaping in Houston, > TX and had no idea. Can someone help? The place sounds like a hot swamp. > Would Megaspekasma erythrochlamis grow there? > > > > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: "Carlo A. Balistrieri" <carlobal@gmail.com> > To: Pacific Bulb Society <pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> > Cc: > Bcc: > Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2020 11:08:47 -0400 > Subject: Re: [pbs] Houston bulbs > I highly recommend reading “Garden Bulbs for the South” by Scott Ogden > (Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas TX). It’s been a go-to resource for me > since moving to SC and is entertaining to boot. > > Carlo > > > Carlo A. Balistrieri > 262.490.6163 > IG: carlobalistrieriphotography > http://www.carlobalistrieri.com/ <http://www.carlobalistrieri.com/> > http://www.botanicalgardening.com/ <http://www.botanicalgardening.com/> > > > > > > On Jul 23, 2020, at 9:53 AM, Jane Sargent via pbs < > pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> wrote: > > > > Megaspekasma erythrochlamis > > > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Lee Poulsen <wpoulsen@pacbell.net> > To: Pacific Bulb Society <pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> > Cc: > Bcc: > Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2020 11:57:54 -0700 > Subject: Re: [pbs] Houston bulbs > I second this recommendation. Ogden lives and gardens in the > Austin/Central Texas area. > > A second really good book that often gets recommended along with Ogden’s > book is “Bulbs for Warm Climates” by Thad M Howard (University of Texas > Press, Austin TX). Howard published many bulb species from all of his plant > hunting trips in Mexico. I believe Howard lived and gardened in the San > Antonio TX area. > > Since I grew up in Austin TX, and my siblings still live in the area, and > it’s where my plant interests began, I maintain an interest in all things > plant growing in the region, especially since my sister is always calling > me up to ask about growing something or another. > > Here are a few, maybe less-well-known, books on bulb growing in Texas: > > “Heirloom Bulbs for Today” by Chris Wiesinger and Cherie Foster Colburn > (Bright Sky Press, Houston TX) > “The Bulb Hunter” by Chris Wiesinger and William C Welch (Texas A&M Press, > College Station TX) > > Wiesinger is the owner/operator of Southern Bulb Co. between Dallas and > Tyler, Texas. > > “The Complete Guide to Growing Bulbs in Houston” by Sally McQueen (Bayland > Publishing Inc, Houston TX) > later revised to: > “A Gardener’s Guide to Growing Bulbs on the Gulf Coast” by Sally McQueen > Squire (River Bend Publishing Co., Houston TX) > > M. erythrochlamis (which I don’t think is a bulb) will love the summers > there, but won’t survive any but the very warmest of winters there unless > it’s planted in very protected locations. I think Houston is Zone 9A, > except right along the coast where it’s 9B. > > --Lee Poulsen > Pasadena, California, USA - USDA Zone 10a > Latitude 34°N, Altitude 1150 ft/350 m > > > On Jul 23, 2020, at 8:08 AM, Carlo A. Balistrieri via pbs < > pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> wrote: > > > > I highly recommend reading “Garden Bulbs for the South” by Scott Ogden > (Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas TX). It’s been a go-to resource for me > since moving to SC and is entertaining to boot. > > > > Carlo > > > > > > On Jul 23, 2020, at 6:53 AM, Jane Sargent via pbs < > pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> wrote: > > > > I was asked what pretty bulbs could be used for landscaping in Houston, > TX and had no idea. Can someone help? The place sounds like a hot swamp. > Would Megaspekasma erythrochlamis grow there? > > > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Nicholas plummer <nickplummer@gmail.com> > To: Pacific Bulb Society <pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> > Cc: > Bcc: > Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2020 15:36:57 -0400 > Subject: [pbs] Too late to plant seed of summer growers? > I just received seed of various summer growing species (Gladiolus, > Crocosmia, Hypoxis, etc) and am trying to decide when to sow. I have a > heated greenhouse, so I could either sow the seed now and try to keep it > growing well into autumn, or wait and sow it in early spring for a head > start on next year. Any suggestions? I'm leaning towards the latter, > because then the change in day length would be in my favor. > > Nick Plummer > Zone 7, North Carolina, where the first Lycoris radiata var pumila are > starting to bloom > > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Jim McKenney <jamesamckenney@verizon.net> > To: Pacific Bulb Society <pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> > Cc: > Bcc: > Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2020 19:41:38 +0000 (UTC) > Subject: Re: [pbs] Too late to plant seed of summer growers? > Nick, if the plants in question are winter growers in the northern > hemisphere (i.e. plants from southern Africa) I would plant now and expect > to have to grow them under glass. > Jim McKenney > > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Robert Lauf <boblauf@att.net> > To: Nicholas plummer via pbs <pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> > Cc: > Bcc: > Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2020 21:00:59 +0000 (UTC) > Subject: Re: [pbs] Too late to plant seed of summer growers? > Nick, > This might not be completely pertinent to your problem, but I collect my > Eucomis seeds late summer and sow immediately (in perlite). They germinate > in a few weeks to a month, and when they're a few inches tall I transfer to > pro mix and move to the greenhouse. They grow all winter and just keep > growing in the spring, when I move them to 3-4" pots and move outside for > the summer. The bulbs at that point are bout the size of a marble. They > reach blooming size in three years, sometimes two. > The greenhouse has gas heat and I try to adjust so it comes on around 55, > but while things are stabilizing in fall, and during cold snaps, excursions > below 50 are not uncommon. Daytime temps when sunny (even in very cold > weather) are very pleasant. The greenhouse is mostly orchids, bromeliads, > ficus, and some dormant tender bulbs and none mind the cool temps. > Hope that helps. Let me know if you'd like some Eucomis for your garden! > Bob LaufOak Ridge, TN where we are finally getting some rain! > On Thursday, July 23, 2020, 03:37:18 PM EDT, Nicholas plummer via pbs < > pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> wrote: > > I just received seed of various summer growing species (Gladiolus, > Crocosmia, Hypoxis, etc) and am trying to decide when to sow. I have a > heated greenhouse, so I could either sow the seed now and try to keep it > growing well into autumn, or wait and sow it in early spring for a head > start on next year. Any suggestions? I'm leaning towards the latter, > because then the change in day length would be in my favor. > > Nick Plummer > Zone 7, North Carolina, where the first Lycoris radiata var pumila are > starting to bloom > _______________________________________________ > pbs mailing list > pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net > http://lists.pacificbulbsociety.net/cgi-bin/… > > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: "Carlo A. Balistrieri" <carlobal@gmail.com> > To: Pacific Bulb Society <pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> > Cc: > Bcc: > Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2020 17:07:05 -0400 > Subject: Re: [pbs] Too late to plant seed of summer growers? > And I sow spring/summer bulbs (including Hippeastrum, Zephyranthes, etc.) > as soon as ripe. I’m in SC and have seedlings of the above and Crinum going > nearly constantly…. > > Carlo > > 2 6 2 . 4 9 0 . 6 1 6 3 > SC New York NJ > > http://www.carlobalistrieri.com/ <http://www.carlobalistrieri.com/> > IG: carlobalistrieriphotography > > > On Jul 23, 2020, at 5:00 PM, Robert Lauf via pbs < > pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> wrote: > > > > Nick, > > This might not be completely pertinent to your problem, but I collect my > Eucomis seeds late summer and sow immediately (in perlite). They germinate > in a few weeks to a month, and when they're a few inches tall I transfer to > pro mix and move to the greenhouse. They grow all winter and just keep > growing in the spring, when I move them to 3-4" pots and move outside for > the summer. The bulbs at that point are bout the size of a marble. They > reach blooming size in three years, sometimes two. > > The greenhouse has gas heat and I try to adjust so it comes on around > 55, but while things are stabilizing in fall, and during cold snaps, > excursions below 50 are not uncommon. Daytime temps when sunny (even in > very cold weather) are very pleasant. The greenhouse is mostly orchids, > bromeliads, ficus, and some dormant tender bulbs and none mind the cool > temps. > > Hope that helps. Let me know if you'd like some Eucomis for your garden! > > Bob LaufOak Ridge, TN where we are finally getting some rain! > > On Thursday, July 23, 2020, 03:37:18 PM EDT, Nicholas plummer via pbs > <pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> wrote: > > > > I just received seed of various summer growing species (Gladiolus, > > Crocosmia, Hypoxis, etc) and am trying to decide when to sow. I have a > > heated greenhouse, so I could either sow the seed now and try to keep it > > growing well into autumn, or wait and sow it in early spring for a head > > start on next year. Any suggestions? I'm leaning towards the latter, > > because then the change in day length would be in my favor. > > > > Nick Plummer > > Zone 7, North Carolina, where the first Lycoris radiata var pumila are > > starting to bloom > > _______________________________________________ > > pbs mailing list > > pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net > > http://lists.pacificbulbsociety.net/cgi-bin/… > > > > _______________________________________________ > > pbs mailing list > > pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net > > http://lists.pacificbulbsociety.net/cgi-bin/… > > > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: EJ <elainej@gmail.com> > To: pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net > Cc: > Bcc: > Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2020 17:41:46 -0700 > Subject: [pbs] saffron > Hi Tim, > A Big Thank You! to you and your friend for sharing the saffron bulbs! > :-) they look like a good size, and I hope I can get them to grow and bloom. > Seems like they are a fall bulb and some say plant immediately. > Although they came from an in-ground bed, I’m thinking of planting them in > a deep at least 6” pot with the 2 parts horticultural sand, 1 perlite, and > 1 compost (tho Jane McGary recommended forest humus and coarse sand). Plus > sand and granite below for drainage. Would that work? > Question for all is: should I plant and water it now ? > I’m in SF Bay Area, probably a zone 9b. With Very dry summers, no rain > till late October and I’m afraid of critters eating them up. > > Much thanks, > -Elaine. > > > > saffron > Tim Eck via pbs (Wed, 01 Jul 2020 14:54:27 PDT) > All, > A friend is going to take out a saffron bed and I will plant them but I > should be able to spare a few hundred offsets for the BX if there is any > interest. (That's meant as a question) > tim > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Tim Eck <timeck17582@gmail.com> > To: Pacific Bulb Society <pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> > Cc: > Bcc: > Date: Fri, 24 Jul 2020 07:06:04 -0400 > Subject: Re: [pbs] saffron > I think the critters are your main worry - voles in particular. Voles are > quite capable of entering pots through their drain holes, so maybe cover > the drain holes with aluminum window screen or quarter inch hardware cloth > and enclose the top. I believe saffron is fairly forgiving wrt soil type > but don't have much direct knowledge. I have heard they grow fine in clay > soil with a slope for drainage, but no personal experience. > The voles care nothing for the flowers and foliage. Only the bulbs. With > this in mind, I have had success planting the bulbs 3" or more deep and > embedding half inch hardware cloth over the soil so it extends a foot or so > past the bulbs in every direction. The flowers and foliage seem to find > their way through the hardware cloth just fine and the method should > protect other similar bulbs with fine foliage too. Note, I use half inch > hardware cloth embedded in the soil or quarter inch above ground. Either > seems sufficient. > As far as planting time, I can't recall the exact date they will start > growing but they will bloom (at least the larger ones) sitting on a shelf > if you don't plant them in time and they will be pushing leaves at the same > time. I will plant mine toward the end of August to be safe. > Tim > > On Thu, Jul 23, 2020 at 8:41 PM EJ via pbs < > pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> > wrote: > > > Hi Tim, > > A Big Thank You! to you and your friend for sharing the saffron bulbs! > > :-) they look like a good size, and I hope I can get them to grow and > bloom. > > Seems like they are a fall bulb and some say plant immediately. > > Although they came from an in-ground bed, I’m thinking of planting them > in > > a deep at least 6” pot with the 2 parts horticultural sand, 1 perlite, > and > > 1 compost (tho Jane McGary recommended forest humus and coarse sand). > Plus > > sand and granite below for drainage. Would that work? > > Question for all is: should I plant and water it now ? > > I’m in SF Bay Area, probably a zone 9b. With Very dry summers, no rain > > till late October and I’m afraid of critters eating them up. > > > > Much thanks, > > -Elaine. > > > > > > > > saffron > > Tim Eck via pbs (Wed, 01 Jul 2020 14:54:27 PDT) > > All, > > A friend is going to take out a saffron bed and I will plant them but I > > should be able to spare a few hundred offsets for the BX if there is any > > interest. (That's meant as a question) > > tim > > _______________________________________________ > > pbs mailing list > > pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net > > http://lists.pacificbulbsociety.net/cgi-bin/… > > > > _______________________________________________ > pbs mailing list > pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net > http://lists.pacificbulbsociety.net/cgi-bin/… > _______________________________________________ pbs mailing list pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net http://lists.pacificbulbsociety.net/cgi-bin/…