Taylor, Amaryllis discussions are right at home here, and/or the tender bulbs forum too How long have you had your Amaryllis? I've often found that after that first bloom that typically comes soon after the bulb is purchased, it takes them a couple of years to start blooming again. And they do often seem reluctant to go dormant for me too, but I let them grow through summer and in fall when I bring them inside, I gradually decrease the water they receive. I keep them in an unheated room through winter, so the cooler temps and dryer conditions nudge them into dormancy. Once dormant, they just sit there dry till I notice buds starting to arise from the bulbs. At that point I start watering again- typically in spring, but sometimes one will surprise me with mid winter blooms. Some heirloom varieties are evergreen and never really go dormant; I have one like that and some years it has 2 bloom cycles, summer and winter.

The Gloriosa Lilies are stunning! Love the hummingbird shot! I made the mistake of growing them in mixed pots and planters this year. They've done fairly well, but I believe I'll let them have pots of their own next year. I hope the competition in the pots doesn't hinder tuber growth and increase.

Hi everybody, I'm Deborah and a lurker. I'm also little new to growing bulbs, so I don't have a lot info or photos to share. But, I am learning so much on this forum. I have a question for Charlene: what is that plant with the thick leaves next to your gloriosa lily in the 2nd photo? BTW, I love the photos, especially the one with the hummingbird. I'll have to get one of those for my hummers.

The one in the center of the pot?? it is a Mother of thousands. Want some babies?? That is a dark one Susan send, there is also a calla in there. I hope the one you meant. There is herbs in that pot rooting that I gt from one of my friends here on cubits.
J that is a beautiful pic of your hummingbird attractor.

Hi Deborah.... I'm always confused about bulbs...But I just planted some more yesterday I'm on a Bulb Planting Frenzy.

Would I say no to plants? Sure I'll take some babies. I don't have the dark one. But, I was referring to the plant with the thick leaves in the pot in the foreground on the right side. It could be a calla lily.

gemini_sage said:Taylor, Amaryllis discussions are right at home here, and/or the tender bulbs forum too How long have you had your Amaryllis?

I have had them for about 3 years

Kim, you are so going to love the wonderful world of bulbs! And knowing you, you'll certainly enjoy starting bulb plants from seed! Are you familiar with Formosa Lilies? A true Lily species, that blooms the 2nd year from seed.

Well I had some Formosa Lily seeds and I got them to germinate. But through my moving..these are some of the plants that got left behind. I even had mature plants but hose too got left behind..

I also recently started Tiger lily seeds/bubils..whatever those little things that form in the leafs. They have now produced roots..Yes..I peeked down in the pot . I'm going to Pop the soil out the pot and stick it just like that in the ground.

I planted Colchicum 'The Giant' Yesterday. Planting X Pardancanda norrisii, crocosmia, Ixiolirion this week.

Making New beds for the bulbous plants

I should have plenty of fresh seeds this fall if you'd like some. I would offer some bulbs, but I have had a few cases of Tulip/Lily mosaic virus show up each year, so I'm afraid to send out any Lily bulbs.

Someone mentioned virus to me before..How can one tell if their bulbs have virus? She said her Canna's had virus and I could take them if I wanted to take a chance

Tulip/Lily mosaic virus shows in both leaves and blooms, but most strikingly in the blooms. Foliage will appear mottled light and dark green, and sometimes kinda distorted- unusual twists in the leaves or ruffling on the edges. In blooms it will appear as color breaking and streaking, and is most notable in deeply colored blooms. Unfortunately it can be difficult to detect in white or very pale colors, but if you see strange foliage characteristics, better safe than sorry. These pics are of my last OT 'Red Hot' that had to go this summer. The color should be consistent rosy salmon color, without the streaks.


You're probably familiar with Rembrandt Tulips that are commonly sold in fall. Today's Rembrandt Tulips have color streaking through hybridization and mutation, but the originals were brought on by mosaic virus. In the 17th century in Holland it caused a big economic fallout known as Tulipomania.

Wow! I think I may have a canna virus

Uuuuggg, I don't think its the same virus, but it does seems viral diseases often have that kind of effect. There's also a viral disease that infects Amaryllis that causes streaking in the leaves.

Well I guess time will tell. This canna was just a little different (leaf wise). Maybe it's all in my mind
It seemed to grow slower and it just hasn't taken off like the others. Maybe it's the variety.

Some of the fancier Cannas do tend to grow slower. I think any Cannas I grow in the future will be in containers. They're not reliably hardy here, and the really cool ones I like best seem to be even less hardy than some of the more common varieties. More often than not, our summers are dry, and Cannas love lots of water and fertilizer- much easier for me to keep them happy in pots.

BIG pots. I planted some in 3 gallon pots because our landscaping project wasn't done, and all the pots are miss-shapen now from the size of the roots.

Wow! I'm just experimenting with them this year. If they come back then they do...If they don't... then Oh Well! They are extremely too easy to grow from seed. And the ones I grew from seed this year are just as big and flowering as the ones received as bulbs. I just don't want anymore plants I can't leave outside through the winter. Especially not a bulb. It's bad enough I have these back breaking Pots with Brugmansias I have to pull in...sigh

Although I do have some Nice Calla Lilies I will be bringing in I also got pictures from someone in my Zone that did not plant Callas this year and some came up. So we are both stumped

Mine come up but I'm farther south.
Look what I got you all an updated pic. Look Susan, It is beautiful!
TWINS, now.

I love them.

Very pretty! I need to dig mine and put ina pot. When is good time to do that?

Oh yeah, big pots for Canna for sure! Not only do they outgrow smaller containers quickly, but it's tough to keep them watered enough.

Kim, a protected spot with thick mulch may well be all the Cannas need to survive the winter. You're in zone 6 too aren't you? I also have several Callas that I leave in the ground, they've survived the last 4 winters with no trouble. You probably know Tammy (from DG) who lives in PA, she also has Callas that have been reliably hardy for her.

Jan, do you mean Cannas?