Description
Haemanthus sanguineus (Amaryllidaceae). April fool(e) Veldskoenblaar(a). A bulbous plant about 300 mm high with two to three large, rounded leaves flat on the ground (like the soles of a shoe) that appear after flowering. The red, flowering stem bears a “paint-brush” flowerhead. This consists of a cup of about eight red bracts with numerous pink to red flowers crowded in the centre which appear in autumn. Sowing : Sow seeds in deep seed trays as soon as possible after harvesting in a very well-drained, sandy medium to which some fine compost is added. Press lightly into the soil, so that the top of the seed remains visible. Water well once and then again only after the first leaves appear. After that, water well once every two to three weeks. When the leaves begin to yellow, withhold watering altogether. Judicious watering starts again when the leaves reappear after the dormant period. Locality : Gouritsmond. Date of harvest : March 2017
