Sternbergia lutea

Discussion in 'How's It Growing?' started by Nik, Nov 20, 2020.

  1. Nik

    Nik Contributor

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    Sternbergia lutea in the fall in Southern Europe.
     

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  2. wcutler

    wcutler Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    Thanks. I don't know this name, seems to have the common name Winter Daffodil, yet looks like a crocus. But I'm not a gardener; maybe I've been seeing these forever.
     
  3. Nik

    Nik Contributor

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    It is related to Amaryllis.
     
  4. Acerholic

    Acerholic Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout Maple Society

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    Autumn flowers as bright as these are such a rarity where I live. But seeing these tonight has given me a thought for 2021. How lovely to be able to pick for indoors at this time of the year.
     
  5. Nik

    Nik Contributor

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    Flower buds just beginning to emerge in several spots in the back yard.
    I was not sure if they would bloom this fall after planting them in the spring.
    Will post updates..
     

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  6. Nik

    Nik Contributor

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    Growth progression for four days for the one next to the creeping thyme.
     

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  7. Nik

    Nik Contributor

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    3 more days of Sternbergia lutea photo diary.
     

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  8. Nik

    Nik Contributor

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    The next two days.
     

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  9. Nik

    Nik Contributor

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    Afternoon update. It is open! (I know I am overdoing it.. probably only one more update when the flower fully expands and gets its super vibrant yellow mature color.)
     

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  10. wcutler

    wcutler Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    It nice to see! And I haven't learned the name yet.
     
  11. Nik

    Nik Contributor

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    I know UBC BG has a patch of them (from previous posts in these forums). Maybe now is the time to look for them. Although, they could be ahead or behind, and they develop very quickly.
    So far I am very happy with my contraband plants. They have almost perfect conditions in our yard, super sunny location, between rocks, gritty soil that does not retain water yet remains moist. The only thing going against them is that our soil is very acidic, they seem to prefer alkaline soil pH.
     
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  12. Nik

    Nik Contributor

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    Here is the luminous Sternbergia lutea on a very cloudy and gloomy afternoon. (It is even brighter when the sun hits it, but I am having trouble talking good pictures under those conditions.) It appears to be attracting some tiny flies and minuscule blue wasps (wasps not pictured).. I hope they are good pollinators. Although I read that it is difficult to impossible to propagate it by seeds. Finally this year I found a bulbs supplier to have them in stock, so I just ordered 24 more. To be planted in much smaller cracks in the rocks. I hope it is not too late for them to bloom this year, but they begin shipping in late September. There are quite a few still coming along nicely, I can’t wait.
    One was eaten completely, bud and leaves, by a very large caterpillar. I caught it in the act of starting a second plant nearby and quickly disposed of it.
     

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    Last edited: Sep 17, 2021
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  13. wcutler

    wcutler Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    Nice collection of photos, @Nik. I looked briefly around the alpine garden at UBCBG yesterday but didn't notice these. I did practice saying the name, though. I think we're not yet enough into autumn here.
     
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  14. Nik

    Nik Contributor

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    Wendy, can you please post a picture or two (or more) of them when they appear. Anywhere on these forums. I think checking once a week is probably good enough to catch them in bloom. I think the flowers last for about two weeks.
     
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  15. wcutler

    wcutler Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    I didn't remember that these are included in the September 2021 in the Garden - UBC Botanical Garden blog, with two photos by the curator of the Alpine Garden. The dates given are September 28 and October 2, so if those dates mean anything, these are from some other year.
     
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  16. Nik

    Nik Contributor

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    Just received my two dozen extra bulbs. Planted them right away between cracks in the rocks.
    Hopefully they will bloom this year.
     

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  17. wcutler

    wcutler Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    That last photo - those are "planted"?
     
  18. Nik

    Nik Contributor

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    No, this is just before they were planted. In few locations, that’s probably close enough, but they still have at least a couple of inches of space between the rocks. Fingers crossed.
     
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  19. Nik

    Nik Contributor

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    About a third went at the base of this large stone, and the rest were planted in this rock crack, both very close to the back deck. Just like my other bulbs, which are still in bloom. Highly recommend this plant to anyone who can provide good drainage and hot dry summer days.
     

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    Last edited: Sep 28, 2021
  20. Nik

    Nik Contributor

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    After the flower is pollinated the stem bends down and the developing seed capsule touches the ground. The reason, it turns out, is because ants are responsible for dispersing the seeds.
    Last picture is the same plant in flower earlier.
     

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  21. Margot

    Margot Renowned Contributor 10 Years

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