IMPORTANT Instructions on How to Select Your Bulbs
When you pay for this auction, message me via eBay immediately and tell me which two sets of bulbs you have selected. The purchase will consist of the two sets of bulbs you request--it will not include soil, or a pot. You will need to provide that. I will include a grow sheet guide.
Notes:
1) This sale is for TWO sets of bulbs.
2) When you message me via eBay about the two sets of bulbs you want, I will confirm by reply message that I got your request. If you do not choose your bulbs within an hour of placing your order, you run the risk of someone else getting the bulbs you want.
3) If I have available inventory, you can ask for two sets of bulbs of the same species.
4) If you want more than two sets of bulbs, purchase multiple orders. I will combine shipping and refund all extra shipping charges.
5) I currently have similar bulb listings on eBay for other species; if you want a set of bulbs from this listing and a set of bulbs from another listing you can ask me for them and I can comply. (I'm referring to all other listings at this price, where you are asked to select two sets of bulbs.)
6) There is no need to message me to ask if one of the plants is available. If you see it in the auction images, it is available.
If you follow these rules, things should go smoothly.
Descriptions of The Bulbs Being Offered
These descriptions were all produced in June 2024. The sale images are in order of description below. The last sale image shows a typical set of spare corms that I generate each year.
Note that you can message me if you want to mix your order with other small bulbs I have listed. Currently I have listings with Babiana, Conanthera, Dichelostemma, Dipterostemon, Ferraria, Geissorhiza, Gladiolus, Ixia, Lachenalia, Lapeirousia, Moraea, Oxalis, Romulea, and Sparaxis!
Dichelostemma ida-maia: A remarkable species in the genus. Firecracker red flowers. Next photo.
Inventory: 5 bulbs about 10 mm in size. (5 sets in stock)
Dichelostemma multiflorum: Next sale photo. Beautiful lilac flowers, readily produced.
Inventory: 4 bulbs about 8 mm or more in size. (2 sets in stock)
Dipterostemon capitatum (Santa Cruz Island giant): A form that regularly produces oversized foliage and somewhat larger flower heads. Next flower image.
Inventory: 3 bulbs about 11 mm in size. (1 sets in stock)
Dipterostemon capitatum (Butte County): A particularly vigorous selection. Next flower image.
Inventory: 4 bulbs about 14 mm in size. (2 sets in stock)
General Information on Growing Specialty Corms and Bulbs
African (or South American, or North American) bulb plants are amazing little things. They spend all summer long underground, and then in the fall, without prompting, they emerge and give a spectacular show. They are so beautiful, and varied in form, that you will want to look at them very close to enjoy all the tiny, exquisite details. They are fantastic, and once you start growing them, you'll want to collect vast numbers. Beware!
They are also super easy, just as long as you give them lots of light during the growing season.
These are not large plants--they are more like little jewels. So don't expect monstrous tulip-sized beasts!
If you don't know about these genera, such as Lachenalia, Polyxena, Gladiolus, Oxalis, etc., read up on them, then you'll want to come back and buy whatever you can. You'll love them.
Growing these specialty corm and bulb plants is quite trivial. I grow mine in small but deep pots, in a very highly draining mix of about 60% pumice (or perlite or gravel), 20% sand, 20% organic material, and a dose of slow-release complete fertilizer every spring. They'll start growing around November (depending upon your temperatures), at which point you want to make sure you water them regularly. First (usually) comes a nice set of leaves, then the inflorescence. Enjoy the spectacular details of the flowers--few other flowers have such wonderful details.
After it flowers, the plant dies back. When all the green parts are no longer visible, stop watering the plant entirely. Remove the above ground dead stuff, then store the pot someplace dry until the next fall. If you want to poke around below ground, you can do that during the long, dry dormant period. In my climate in the central Valley of California, it gets very hot for a very long time. Yep, I keep my tubers dry during that period, and the plants are fine.
Some plants require different conditions from those I describe above, but they aren't being offered in this sale.
Shipping, etc.
I'll do everything I can, within reason, to get these corms to you in top conditions, but please ensure that your shipping address will not expose the boxed plant to extreme conditions. Mailboxes in full sun can become dangerously hot. As soon as the plant arrives, open the box and give the plant air--mold is your biggest enemy.
I will NOT ship this plant out of the USA, so non-USA eBayers, I have blocked you from purchasing. Sorry, but I simply don't care to deal with international trade issues. If you buy this plant and then ask for me to ship it overseas, I will cancel the sale.
Just before I ship the corms, I'll give them a careful lookover to make sure I'm happy with them. While I prep your corms for shipping, if I find any problems with the plant--anything that I think might be a cause for concern--I'll contact you before shipping the plant, and we can discuss what to do. If there are problems with the corms when they arrive, please discuss it with me so I can make things right with you (instead of giving my eBay account a bad review).
I work to fulfill orders as soon as I can. If you purchase multiple items from me, I will combine shipping charges if possible. As long as you notify me, I will wait until your shopping is complete before shipping. When I box everything up I will calculate the new shipping charges, and refund you the difference via PayPal.