Albuca spiralis "Frizzle Sizzle"

[Roberta]

It's really hard to get me to spend money on a non-orchid. But this one grabbed me and wouldn't let go. And wasn't even in bloom when I got it... the curly leaves were just so cute. I grow it in a mostly-inorganic mix, about 80% pumice, a bit of cactus mix and fine orchid bark, outdoors in coastal southern California. It supposedly has a dormant period where it doesn't want to be watered, but I haven't dried it out and it doesn't seem to matter - it loses some leaves but then starts a new batch. It's a native of South Africa, Capetown region. The flowers (this is as open as they get) are sweetly fragrant. They close up at night, open in the morning sun.

For scale, it is growing in a 12 cm (4.5 inch) clay pot. I have had it for 2 full years, and it has at least doubled in size since I got it.

[neophyte]

super cute! it's like curled ribbon.

[AnonYMouse]

Originally Posted by Roberta

It's really hard to get me to spend money on a non-orchid. But this one grabbed me and wouldn't let go. And wasn't even in bloom when I got it... the curly leaves were just so cute. I grow it in a mostly-inorganic mix, about 80% pumice, a bit of cactus mix and fine orchid bark, outdoors in coastal southern California. It supposedly has a dormant period where it doesn't want to be watered, but I haven't dried it out and it doesn't seem to matter - it loses some leaves but then starts a new batch. It's a native of South Africa, Capetown region. The flowers (this is as open as they get) are sweetly fragrant. They close up at night, open in the morning sun.

For scale, it is growing in a 12 cm (4.5 inch) clay pot. I have had it for 2 full years, and it has at least doubled in size since I got it.

I have a couple of "small" concordianas that I acquired late last year. They are suppose to be similar in all aspects but they have done NOTHING! So, I need to pick your brain!

Is this the first flowering?

How large are the bulbs/tubers? Did they grow in size or quantity?

Did the leaves previously die back or did they keep growing new ones?

Anything else you can think of telling will be appreciated.

[Roberta]

This is the second flowering. It bloomed last spring too. (I acquired it a year before that). There appears to be a single bulb, it's about 1 1/2 inches in diameter, the leaves come out of the middle of it. It has gotten bigger each year, rather than multiplying. The top of it is just below the surface. The leaves start to die back in the fall, but as I recall, the new crop of leaves started to grow before the old ones died. Then the flower spike emerges in the middle of the leaves. It gets nearly full sun (I grow it next to the Cymbidiums and the rupiculous Laelias) Other than that, can't think of anything special that I have done. The mix is the same as what I use for the Mediterranean terrestrials.

[Leafmite]

Wow! I had to add it to my list of plants that interest me. Very nice!

[Dollythehun]

Wowza! The care instructions online sure seem different than yours though.

[WaterWitchin]

Now that is one darned good looking and interesting non-orchid. I can see why it grabbed you and dragged you to the checkout line. It definitely needs to be on my "want" list.

[DirtyCoconuts]

So cool!!

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

Wowza! The care instructions online sure seem different than yours though.

Those were a starting point. But then, looking at habitat, that led me in the direction that I went. (Capetown, South Africa is not that different then southern California) Seems to be working.

[WaterWitchin]

Roberta, it seems it's not getting the brown tips on leaves so many speak of when it commences blooming. Any idea why they do that frequently, and why your's is not? Yes, researching, needing, wanting....