I am experimenting with some South African bulbs in containers. I don't have a greenhouse, so I'm making do with a shelf in my garage fitted with a grow light. I planted them over a month ago but didn't start watering them until Oct 1. Out of about 15 pots, I have two just starting to show growth, both are oxalis. I'm quite excited. The first is O. gracilis.



The 2nd is O. massoniana.




The growth looks odd to me, nothing resembling any oxalis I have seen before, but of course I've never worked with these plants before.
I have no guidance other than a couple youtube videos and 25-yr old book with brief descriptions of various species.
I could definitely use more information as info so far has been minimal, so if anyone out there has experience growing these types of plants, I'd be interested in picking your brain.

How did you get them? I looked up pics and both are adorable species! Your growths look consistent with the pics I saw.

Hi, Tiffany. I got them from Telos Rare Bulbs through the mail. I think they are a nursery in California. I thought the price was reasonable. They include some information with each bulb re: how deep to plant and whether winter or summer dormant. But I have a lot of more detailed questions. The good news is that the plants continue to grow - here is Oxalis gracilis today:

And Oxalis massoniana has a new baby sibling, just 1/2 inch tall:



And I have a pot with three Ferraria nortieri poking through:


Many more pots show no growth yet.

I just received a package of other bulbs from England - from Rare Bulbs UK. I'll have to figure out how to take care of them, too!
So far, it's been a pretty fun endeavor. I figured it will give me an opportunity for gardening during the winter. I guess I'll just have to learn as I go.

That does sound like fun. Enjoy!

Scott, how are your bulbs liking the garage?
I forgot about Telos Rare Bulbs. Also, did you have to do anything special to receive the bulbs from the UK?
The only South African bulb I am growing, that I know of, is Ferraria crispa but that became available off the shelf last year so I didn't have to try hard to get it. It just looks grassy right now.

Hi, Loretta.
My garage bulb-growing has been pretty fun - most have leafed out, though a couple are either duds are slow to show foliage. Many have bloomed. Here is a sample of the blooming ones. First are a few oxalis.

Oxalis massoniana






Oxalis gracilis








Oxalis lobata







Oxalis goniorhiza







A couple muscari, first M. coeleste





M. chalusicum






Romulea tempskyana





Gethyum atropurpureum







An ornithogalum look-alike, Tristagma gracile





Next, a couple narcissus. First, N. minocycla.




N. albidus x romieuxii





N. cantabricus foliosus.





Ipheion sessile. Hasn't fully opened for me yet.







This is a fritillaria (F. graeca) which is still in bud, but looks like it might have red markings showing through the bud:





Finally, showing a hilarious lack of research into what I was ordering, I have a vigorous vine, which threatens to take over all neighboring structures, Tropaeolum tricolor. Yes, it's a nasturtium relative. I had to move the pot to the floor since it quickly grew taller than my grow lights. In fact, it's still way too tall and looping around everything trying to reach the light. The flowers are just starting to form among the tangles of the vine - pictures on-line will show you what they're really supposed to look like. Mine are way smaller than I expected. Maybe showier next week? I can always hope.



Anyway, it's been an entertaining diversion during winter. Still have to figure out how to give them their proper summer 'rest'. A learning process, for sure. It's been fun.

And to answer your question about ordering the bulbs from UK, there was no problem. Bulbs arrived in mail, just as if from US. I used a place called RarePlants.Co.UK. Also, I have a few Ferraria growing but only 2 of 3 have leafed out - grassy leaves but no sign of flowering. I suspect it will take a few years.

Wow, what a show! I like them all! Plus, they are all new to me, so very entertaining! The narcissus are so cute!