This plant came as one of 3 bare-root seedlings in 2020, thrown into my order as a freebie by a generous vendor. Sadly, I’ve forgotten who it was. If it was you and you see this, thank you! I seem to remember something indicating that they were originally imported, possibly from Hung Shen. Hope I’m getting that name right.
I have a few plants in this group that seem to grow well but not bloom. These three seedlings have always been vigorous and trouble-free and I’m delighted by the bloom. Love to hear thoughts on its quality as well as any suspicion that it’s anything other than gratrixianum. I find this group difficult to tell apart and this is the first gratrixianum I’ve personally seen. I don’t see anything that stands out as a false note. If you like it, love to hear why. If you don’t, same. If it bores you — a friend in another forum said “why is this ugly flower at all interesting to you?” — cool.
Of the three seedlings, it fascinates me that this is the first bloomer. One of the other plants is much larger; it does seem to have a basal swelling that indicates its gearing up to reward me. The other seeding is still very small.
I know it’s silly but as much as I like a big fat flower, I also like to grow out runts to see just how damn long it will take to get a bloom, if ever. Sometimes I test new mixes or potions on them.
Pics include about a year after they arrived, I think.
I have a few plants in this group that seem to grow well but not bloom. These three seedlings have always been vigorous and trouble-free and I’m delighted by the bloom. Love to hear thoughts on its quality as well as any suspicion that it’s anything other than gratrixianum. I find this group difficult to tell apart and this is the first gratrixianum I’ve personally seen. I don’t see anything that stands out as a false note. If you like it, love to hear why. If you don’t, same. If it bores you — a friend in another forum said “why is this ugly flower at all interesting to you?” — cool.
Of the three seedlings, it fascinates me that this is the first bloomer. One of the other plants is much larger; it does seem to have a basal swelling that indicates its gearing up to reward me. The other seeding is still very small.
I know it’s silly but as much as I like a big fat flower, I also like to grow out runts to see just how damn long it will take to get a bloom, if ever. Sometimes I test new mixes or potions on them.
Pics include about a year after they arrived, I think.
