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Lachenalia
Lachenalia pustulata
Gewone viooltjie(Afr.)
South African fleshy bulb with dainty flowers after the rain season. Grown for their spikes or racemes of showy flowers that appear in late winter and early spring. Naturally occurring in winter rainfall areas with hot dry summers, often found growing in large colonies in heavy soil. The leaves die back after flower and the plant survive the dry summer in dormant phase.
Planning
Difficulty
Easy
Flowering time
Winter, Spring
Fruiting time
Spring
Harvesting
Generally not harvested, but the flower can be cut for the vase, but more often the whole plant is used for display in a pretty pot.
Propagation
Seed
Sow seeds when ripe and mature as soon as rainy season start(Autumn).
Division
Separate bulblets in late summer or autumn, while dormant.
Special features
Attracts useful insects
Attracts bees
Pot plant
Can be grown in a container, place in a sunny spot, do not water in summer, while the bulbs are dormant!
Geography
Origin
Africa, South Africa, Western Cape, St Helena Bay to the Cape Peninsula.
Natural climate
Winter rainfall areas with a dry summer
Environment
Light
Full Sun
Soil moisture
Moist
Soil type
Clay
Soil PH preference
Neutral
Frost hardiness
Half-Hardy
Personality
Family
Hyacinthaceae
Flower colour
Shades of cream, pink, blues.
Scent
Mild
Problems
Generally problem free
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