and more specifically Houston area. I grow a lot of bulbs but this one is one that eludes me. Pls tell me where you grow it, how long you've grown it, and what you like about it. thanks
TUBEROSE, who grows it successfully in TX
I have one I got from the RU in Arlington a while back, from Stephanietx I think and I have it in a pot. It didn't die but It didn't bloom yet either. It's a shade plant. My grandmother used to have them and they smelled sooooo good. I'll be watching too, to see what anyone can tell us about being successful with them.
I planted 3 bulbs in ground in shade and I never saw them peek put. Strange b/c they came from Old House Gardens and I've had nothing but success, except for the dang tuberoses
Dig them up and see what they are doing.
i think I still remember where they are, good idea. tks I have ordered yellow ones from B&B and I need to know how to properly care for them before they arrive.
Polianthes tuberosa? Rain lillies? loose soil that drains, 6 to 8 hrs sun each day, kin to the agave,
NO
Polianthes are tuberose
Zephrantes are rain lilies.
Tuberose are only white, either single or
double.
Zephranthes come in white, yellow, pink
or variegated/
I first met tuberose in Mexico, growing in
pots with a delicious fragrance.
I have grown them in Texas, but they behave
as an annual bulb, not lasting more than
2 - 3 years.
I f you plant early spring, they wont get bulbs
till late July or August.
The scent is most pronounced in hot humid
weather.
At times I have cut some to bring inside, but
the scent disappears in air conditioning.
IMHO the best use is to grow some in clay
pots placed near outdoor seating where they
can be enjoyed while sitting watching the
sunset and after.
They are all about the perfume.
I recommend the single form. The doubles
form looking like fat Dutch hyacinths, making
the doubles be top heavy, and possibly
bending or doubling over.
If the bulbs freeze, they will no longer be viable,
so should be dug and stored, or left in the pots
and brought in to overwinter, like in a garage,
storage, the house, or a cool but not freezing
greenhouse.
If you are asking about rain lilies, I have no
experience.
Do they dormant at all or keep foliage when not blooming
Wowzers Vossner, thanks for the share ! I learner something.
I find it interesting that in the description says it is a white flower.
Guess hey just cut and pasted.
I honestly don't remember if they lose their leaves. I think they
might. In warm climates, say zone 11, 12, 13 they stay green, but don't freeze either.
is that your tuberose, wow! it must be several years old.
Its a clumb of undivided bulbs
Is it an undivided clump of tuberose bulbs?
ALERT: VanBourgoudien and Hirts are selling the pink tuberoses. Somebody on GW posted what they got from Hirts and I am not impressed. I trust VanB a lot more than Hirts but that's just me.
Just got my yellow from B&B, now to decide where to plant.
Waiting on my white single from Brent n Beckys.
I do not like Hirts at all. Von B used to be really good, not as much anymore, but still OK.
I considered Tennessee Tuberose, but thought they sounded high.
I love tuberoses but have only bought them as fresh flowers. I've only seen white ones but that might be b/c I got them from a florist. They sure did perfume the whole house, tho.
Thanks to this thread I discovered there are two
new strains: one pink and one yellow.
here is a sprout on my Super Gold. I'm thrilled. The first tuberose to sprout in all the years I've tried.
The next two pics are of the bulb of the pink tuberose I just received. The pics are not good but I can tell you the tubers are of good quality and firm. I am happy with my purchase.
Im thinking I planted my previous plants a little too deep in a little to clayie soil. This time, with the yellow and the pink. I selected soil that has been amended and is much more workable. Maybe that was all I needed to do.
Could be it was the soil.
Where did you obtain them ?
I am glad you are happy.
I've been growing a clump of the single flowering for a couple years in one spot, full west afternoon sun. They seem to do well, very hardy, attractive clumping foliage similar to daylilies. Think I came by the small plant as a left over from a florist gift. Was not impressed with their growth originally in a front flower bed, so I just stuck them in an off spot. Had a few blooms, but I think it's matter of allowing the clumps to grow and divide them every 3-4 years. Like most bulbs, flower once and then you only have foliage. But they are much appreciated when they bloom.