This is a rare offering of Scadoxus cyrtanthiflorus, a beautiful Amaryllis relative that's virtually unknown in cultivation. Its ring of vivid, bell-shaped blooms is exceptionally gorgeous, like a chandelier of flowers! The plant is found only in the cool mountains of Uganda and neighboring Congo. It is almost never seen for sale. People have been asking me for it for years, and i'm glad to finally have it available.
Scadoxus cyrtanthiflorus grows about 2 feet tall, with foliage somewhat resembling a ginger plant. Like its cousin, Clivia, it has thick, orchid-like roots, and grows in shaded forests. The plant multiplies readily with pups, which you may separate. Around summer, it sends up a tall stalk containing 20 to 30 blooms that dangle in a circular formation. The 1.5 inch flowers are bright scarlet, with green on the top half. After flowering, it makes attractive, bright red berries similar to other Scadoxus.
The plant comes from about 2600 to 3000 meter elevation, where temperatures are cool or mild all year, and nights are cool. I have no information on how it will do in warm climates, so consider it experimental if temperatures regularly get above the low 80s (28 degrees C), especially if nights are warm (above 65°F / 18°C). Its roots probably can handle down to the mid-20s (-4 degrees C) but it's best to protect it from freezing temperatures.
It is easy to grow in a pot in a loose, fertile soil mix, similar to Clivia. A typical mix is 1 part potting soil, 1 part orchid bark (fine- or medium-grade), and 1 part pumice or perlite. Keep the soil evenly moist. This forest plant prefers bright shade or filtered sunlight. Protect it from strong afternoon sun. Over about 40% humidity is best. Note that the leaves and berries might be toxic like some other Scadoxus species, so keep pets and small kids from munching on them.
This auction is for the 2 year old offset shown below. It is about a foot long, and it is growing in a 2½ inch pot. It has a few blemishes from growing outdoors. It will be shipped in its pot, not bare-rooted, to maintain plant vigor. I usually ship on Saturdays & Mondays (Fedex is Monday & Tuesday). If you want shipping delayed up to 2 weeks, wait to pay please, since Ebay expects me to ship promptly. Weather notice: Delivery to areas above 84 degrees will be done at the buyer's risk. For questions about shipping, please contact me with your Zip code. Outside the United States mainland, contact me before bidding for the shipping terms and rates.
Save on shipping when you win one of my other items (request a combined invoice to receive discounted shipping). Not all plants can receive discounted shipping. Please contact me if you have any questions.
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| Strange Wonderful Things is your source for exotic, hard-to-find plants that bring the excitement back into gardening! Most of the plants in my collection are rarely seen in nurseries, and a few are sold nowhere else on the internet. I am a low-volume grower and don't produce many plants, so if you see something you like, please bid early! I personally answer all emails, and provide free "technical support" through my website. - Happy growing! - Jeff |
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Photos & text copyright 2024 by Strange Wonderful Things, except photo #1 & 2 used with permission of Jonathan Hutchinson