Stenomesson

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A small genus, in cultivation at least, but one that we find very rewarding, as the plants persist well and flower reliably.

These are glasshouse bulbs as the genus is not hardy in the UK, but they can be dried off in winter and stored in the house, restarting them in April-May. Ours are grown under frost-free glass, in deep beds of sandy loam, enriched with humus matter, under glass. These are maintained at a minimum of 40°F during the winter, when they are kept quite dry.

Growth starts in the spring, when the plants flower and persists through summer. Growth is not difficult although some species benefit from deep planting, simply to discourage the production of offsets that can proliferate at the expense of flowers, when they are grown in pots.

Stenomesson pearcei

The flower stems appear just after the new leaves and are 30-45cm tall. The inflated spathe finally splits to reveal up to 8 hanging tubular bells of pure, unmarked pale daffodil yellow, tinted with pale green. These are little stunners, and unlike anything else in this list.

Readily grown but needing time to settle this is a delightful, choice and very worthwhile Peruvian native. Can be stored dry over winter, in the house, and thus can be grown under cold glass, bedded out or in a large pot.

We find it best with this species to offer smaller bulbs that will settle and flower with you as quickly as larger ones (which sulk) hence we can offer them at a better price.


Stenomesson pearcei Mediumstepearce	£9.50
bulbs minimum of 2cm across by 5cm tall Large view