Ferraria crispa
 

First bloom on this ZA native bulb for me:

an amazing flower, didn't know that one, had to look it up!

I really need to stop opening your "off topic" threads because you have some of the most unusual plants...I see them...and then I want them. That is really cool!

So...how do you grow this beauty?

Care is simple, but not easy in my situation. The plant is a sun loving winter grower that gets a dry dormancy during hot weather. I start watering in September as nights start to cool. Once growth is underway I try to keep the soil constantly moist. It requires a lot of light during the active growth period in the winter, and is definitely more suited to greenhouse culture than typical indoor houseplant culture. I keep it under very high light conditions, and if there won't be frost it's outside in full sun .

I imagine it's not an easy one to find. I'm growing an African plant (albuca) and it sounds like this one is similar in it's culture. It's weird growing it dry in the summer and wet in the winter and it's definitely challenging to give it enough light in the winter. It's doing ok and blooming nicely but I feel like it could do better. Nonetheless, given the similarity in conditions needed...if I ever run across one of these...it will definitely come live w/me.

I googled it and it looks like there are also some really pretty reddish colored ones. The starfish-y looking flowers remind me a bit of stapelia flowers...growing a few of those too.

Very cool...thanks for sharing and for the info.

A friend found them at van Bourgondien
Bulbs last week. Edit: a quick look shows he might have gotten the last ones, they're now listed as out of stock.

Oh well...thanks anyway. I did find one place but I'm not comfortable with their policy of my having to pay now but not receive the bulb until Sept/Oct. I'll keep looking.

They're very easy from seed, which is readily available if you look around. Plant the seed in the fall in sandy soil, keep very moist and sunny. They normally flower the second growing season.