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 very thinly with compost or grit, and leaving some of the seed showing, as light can initiate germination, just as in the wild, and leave in a well-lit, warm spot. Sometimes, artificial heat may not be needed, and may prevent germination, as some species will only germinate in the spring after being chilled in the moist seed tray. Grow on in sharply draining compost in a pot, or the open ground.

Key Facts