Description

DESCRIPTION OF ITEM FOR BID: You are bidding on 8 bulbs in different sizes, not necessarily a blooming size. Regardless of size, it usually takes only a year or two to reach a blooming size. They will be shipped bare root and should be planted right away. DESCRIPTION: Habranthus Robustus is a species bulb and probably the most common habranthus is the garden trade. Sometimes it is sold in the garden trade under the improper name of Zephyranthes robusta. In our opinion, it is probably the the most rewarding of all rain lilies to grow. It opens as a pink blush with a very large, wide open flowers and a large, light green eye. The flowers can be somewhat variable in color, but the flowers can be a massive 4 1/2 " in diameter, 4" long, and 12-18" tall and form bulbs up to 2" in diameter in the best growing conditions (some shade and lots of moisture). The bulbs multiply very fast and also form ample seeds allowing them to naturalize an area in just a few years. They have a very long blooming period, and we have recorded blooms from April through November here in northeast Florida, zone 9. Rain lilies bloom about 4 days after a rain. Blooms are stimulated by the nitrogen, which is created by lightning, and picked up in the raindrops. In 2014 we started a small hybridization effort which by early 2017 has produced seeds from over 150 successful crosses and about an equal number of failures. Some seedlings did not survive, but we still have over 100 crosses growing and many of the seedlings from the same cross are exhibiting different markings and characteristics because each seed is unique genetically. We plan to continue this in the hope of introducing some of our own hybrids in a few more years. Currently we grow about 400 different rain lilies, including 261 zephyranthes, 31 habranthus and 3 zephbranthus (cross of zephyranthes and habranthus), and our new hybrids. We are actively seeking new species or hybrids to purchase or trade to increase our collection and can provide a list of our collection upon request. Our listings have free shipping. The two leading nurseries that sell rain lilies charge from $17 to $23 just for shipping one selection in addition to the cost of the plant. BACKGROUND: Habranthus 'Robustus' is a species bulb. This member of the Amaryllidaceae family was described by Herbert in 1831. It is na tive to Brazil and Argentina. It blooms its head off at a time when Gulf South gardeners creep out into the killing humid heat to their gardens only at dawn or at dusk and are looking for a surprise in their gardens. As such, H. robustus fills the bill with multitudes of cool lavender-pink flowers. H robustus has been known to the hort people in the English speaking world since at least the early 19th century when it was known as Amaryllis robusta. Redoute drew it for his famous Josephine, consort of Napoleon. H. robustus is probably the largest of the Habranthus. Our bulbs were originally found in a neighbor's back yard growing in the middle of the grass when our sons were mowing their lawn. We had never seen rain lilies before and started growing some. After several years they captivated us and that's how our amazing collection began! The primary difference between Zephyranthes and Habranthus is that the Habranthus bloom is at an angle to the stem and the Zephyranthes bloom, more or less, points straight up from the stem. GROWING CONDITIONS: Rain lily bulbs generally will grow in a wide variety of soils and will do fine in any garden setting with an average amount of water. A few varieties require much more water. They thrive in rich soil with ample water and full sun. We grow all of ours in the hot Florida sun, but generally they will do better with a bit of shade during the hottest part of the day. Plants require less care if planted in the ground, but rain lilies, especially, make excellent container plants. Most varieties form seeds and a few do not form offset bulbs reproducing only from seed. Growing them in pots helps in keeping the seeds out of adjacent plants. Most rain lilies will do better if they are pot-bound or growing in crowded conditions. If left alone, they will form dense clumps. Most rain lilies require 2-3 years to reach a blooming size from seed. A few, like Z. minima, can bloom in 1 year and others can take 4 or more years. They are usually evergreen in frost-free climates and many varieties keep their leaves even during sub-freezing temperatures. Here in the colder part of zone 9 with temperatures rarely below the 20's, they keep their foliage. It is not uncommon for some varieties to lose all of their leaves in very dry weather and a few have a dormant period where the leaves disappear for 2-3 months. They are easy to grow in pots in any climate but they must be protected from freezing temperatures. If they are stored over the winter, the pots can be allowed to dry somewhat but should not go completely dry. Do not remove the bulbs from the pots or ground more than a few weeks, however, as rain lily bulbs do not store well when they are dry out of the soil. Otherwise they are very vigorous and tolerant of more dry conditions too when planted in the ground and will do fine in zone 7b-10. PHOTOS/ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: These are pictures of our plants, so you know exactly what they look like and what you will receive. The photos show the plant in various stages of growth. Please feel free to contact us for additional information, and click on "Me" following our star rating. Also, we invite you to go to our store (little red or blue door) and look at other items we have for sale.