Red Viooltjie

Lachenalia bulbifera

Description - from Wikipedia

Lachenalia bulbifera, syn. L. pendula, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae, native to the Western Cape of South Africa. It is a bulbous perennial growing to 30 cm (12 in) tall by 5 cm (2 in) broad, with strap-shaped spotted leaves and fleshy stems bearing pendent tubular orange or red flowers 3 cm long, in winter and spring. The Latin bulbifera literally means "bulb-bearing", and refers to the plant's habit of producing bulblets, which can be separated from the parent plant and grown on.
This plant requires a sheltered, frost-free position, or it can be grown under glass. The species and its pink-flowered cultivar 'George' have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

References
External links

Dressler, S.; Schmidt, M. & Zizka, G. (2014). "Lachenalia bulbifera". African plants – a Photo Guide. Frankfurt/Main: Forschungsinstitut Senckenberg.

PlantZA Wikipedia Redlist iNaturalist

Species Characteristics

Wildlife supported

Bees

Birds

Sunbirds

Tolerances & suitability

Good potplant

Growth features

Easy to grow

Aspect

Semi-shade

Sun

Plant types

Bulb

Soils

Soil: clay

Soil: loam

Soil: sandy

Flowering Period

Orange
Red

Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov

Propagation

By Seed

Propagation is easily achieved by means of bulb offsets that form towards the end of the growing period, as well as by bulbils that develop along the margins of the leaf bases; bulbils also develop at the tips of subterranean stolons produced from the base of the bulb. These can be removed during the summer dormant period and be replanted separately in autumn. Seeds can be harvested from capsules as soon as they split open in late spring and should be stored until sowing time in autumn. The seeds are best sown in deep seed trays in the same mixture recommended for mature bulbs, and will germinate within two to three weeks, if fresh. Flowering from seed usually occurs in the third season.

By Cutting

Lachenalia bulbifera is a rewarding species under cultivation provided a few simple points are borne in mind. The bulbs are deciduous and winter-growing, and are completely dormant during the summer months. They should be planted in early autumn (March to mid-April in the southern hemisphere). The top of the bulb should rest 2-3 cm below the surface. The growing medium must be well aerated and drain rapidly; a recommended soil mixture is equal parts of finely sifted, well-decomposed compost and river sand/silica sand (swimming pool sand), and it is best to plant the bulbs in a layer of pure river sand or silica sand.

Nursery availability

No nursery stock found.

No garden yet

Fynbos Corridor Collaboration