Variety traits

Lachenalia bulb

Lachenalia Jacq. f. ex Murr.

The circumference of the Lachenalia bulb is a key factor determining vegetative development, flowering quality, and propagation capacity.

In the reference 8 varieties crop Cape Cowslip, where this is mentioned in the description.

For Lachenalia, bulb size serves as the primary quantitative indicator of productivity. In professional production, planting material with a circumference of 4.0–6.0 cm is used for research purposes, whereas for commercial forcing, the minimum size is 6–7 cm. Failure of the bulb to reach a certain critical size leaves the plant in a vegetative phase without flowering.

Increasing bulb parameters directly correlates with an increase in the number and width of leaves, as well as with improvements in inflorescence characteristics, including its length, plant height, and the number of florets per raceme. The size of the initial bulb also affects the quality of daughter offsets, promoting effective reproduction.

Agrotechnical requirements include planting at a depth of two to three times the bulb height and ensuring well-drained soil to prevent rot. The plant possesses a distinct dormancy cycle requiring storage in dry conditions, while certain species, such as L. bulbifera, demonstrate a high capacity for forming a large number of small bulbils.

General information about the subject — on the page Bulb.

Sources8

Varieties of Cape Cowslip mentioned in the description

Selection based on the description text, not on official evaluation: these data are absent from registers. For specific variety details, please refer to its profile.