CYRTANTHUS BRACHYSCYPHUS

Description

Above narrow foliage arise slender, wiry stems, holding clusters of up to ten long-lasting, very bright, orange-red trumpets, which will re-appear throughout the summer, especially if watering is stopped for five or six weeks, then restarted. Intense, flaming orange is not a frequently encountered colour among the smaller bulb species, but this is a superb and glorious exception, an established plant with multiple flowering stems being a joy to behold. Although quite rare, this is one of the easier ones to grow. In the wild they are found in moist grassland or rocky stream banks in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. They are best planted in frost-free conditions, in a fertile well-drained loam soil with the necks at the soil surface, or in a frost-free container.

Sowing Advice

Sow seeds at any time covering them with compost or grit 5mm deep, in a cool, well-lit spot outdoors. Artificial heat is not needed and can prevent germination. Many species will only germinate in the spring after a good chilling or freezing in the moist seed tray in the winter. Grow on seedlings in small pots before planting out into sharply draining compost in a pot, or the open ground in a well-drained spot.

Key Facts