Cyrtanthus spiralis

Cyrtanthus spiralis (Amaryllidaceae) It is a bulbous plant that bears leaves which, as its name suggests, are spiral or perhaps, more strictly, helical. It is dormant in Winter but virtually evergreen in cultivation. Flowers are down-facing trumpet shaped 4-8 on each spike up to 7 cm long, vermilion or dark pink. Sowing : Use a gritty mix of peat, cocofiber, vermiculite and perlite, sand or similar media. Fill shallowly in trays or pots and sow the seeds on the surface. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil, about as thick as the seeds are. Label with species name and date. Do not cover with plastic or glass. Place trays or pots at temperatures between 25 and 30°C (75 to 90F) in a brightly lit spot but out of full sun and keep slightly damp but never wet. Seeds will sprout reliably after a few days or weeks. Locality: Redhouse. Harvest: July 2023