Is anyone growing BOMAREA?

[metalfan]

I am wondering if it is worth tracking down and trying in Florida summers. Since its liked from a cold to cool climate

[Silas_Sancona]

9 minutes ago, metalfan said:

I am wondering if it is worth tracking down and trying in Florida summers. Since its liked from a cold to cool climate

Only one i can think of that might handle FL summers would be B. edulis  since it's range includes most of Mexico, down into Brazil, with iNat observations from both Cuba and the Dominican Republic.

If Cloud Forest stuff from say Columbia, or Ecuador struggles there, even under greenhouse conditions, the really showy sps like B. multiflora, might be tougher.  Then again, if you can find seed, it might not hurt to try.

Article from the Pac. Bulb Society: https://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/Bomarea
 

[Darold Petty]

I grow Bomarea distichifolia, B. multiflora, and B. sanguinea.  The multiflora plant produces many more flowers that the two others.  I collected B. sanguinea near Machu Picchu, and I observed B. distichifolia in habitat at Podocarpus National Park, Ecuador.  I have a seed grown plant of one with clear yellow flowers but it is not mature enough yet to flower. 

The first image is B. sanguinea, and the second is B. distichifolia.   Sorry, I don't have an image of B. multiflora.

[metalfan]

16 minutes ago, Darold Petty said:

I grow Bomarea distichifolia, B. multiflora, and B. sanguinea.  The multiflora plant produces many more flowers that the two others.  I collected B. sanguinea near Machu Picchu, and I observed B. distichifolia in habitat at Podocarpus National Park, Ecuador.  I have a seed grown plant of one with clear yellow flowers but it is not mature enough yet to flower. 

The first image is B. sanguinea, and the second is B. distichifolia.   Sorry, I don't have an image of B. multiflora.

Yes the only person I know growing it is also in San Francisco

[metalfan]

46 minutes ago, Silas_Sancona said:

Only one i can think of that might handle FL summers would be B. edulis  since it's range includes most of Mexico, down into Brazil, with iNat observations from both Cuba and the Dominican Republic.

If Cloud Forest stuff from say Columbia, or Ecuador struggles there, even under greenhouse conditions, the really showy sps like B. multiflora, might be tougher.  Then again, if you can find seed, it might not hurt to try.

Article from the Pac. Bulb Society: https://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/Bomarea
 

Wow I'd be happy with that one it's nice. My friend growing it in San Francisco said if I can grow Ceratostemma (I can) I could grow Bomerea but I'm not so sure

[Silas_Sancona]

7 minutes ago, metalfan said:

Wow I'd be happy with that one it's nice. My friend growing it in San Francisco said if I can grow Ceratostemma (I can) I could grow Bomerea but I'm not so sure

Stunning plant for sure.. If you've had success w/ the plant mentioned that appears come from the same general area, ..and since you have a friend who could send you seed,  definitely doesn't hurt to try and see what happens.. 

[metalfan]

Are they easy to grow from seed? I've been growing Ceratostemma rauhii for 3 years, pendant for 2. They are happy, the raphia blooms, the pendent has not yet. But both put out new growth. Rauhii is in bloom now 

[Silas_Sancona]

19 minutes ago, metalfan said:

Are they easy to grow from seed? I've been growing Ceratostemma rauhii for 3 years, pendant for 2. They are happy, the raphia blooms, the pendent has not yet. But both put out new growth. Rauhii is in bloom now 

I've only been able to see them in bloom so i really can't say much about germinating.. Seems simple enough, per the Pac. Bulb Society's article at least.    @Darold Petty thoughts? ..Thought you'd mentioned germinating these in the past?