Lachenalia are winter bloomers for me. I have several species which I keep in pots. When they die back (late spring-early summer), I set them aside and give them no summer water. When I see new growth appearing, usually around Oct-Nov.), I bring them out and start watering.
I also have a few spp. planted in the ground, but they are also in dry areas that get no supplemental water in the summer (our dry season).

wanda

Thanks wanda. I suspected as much. Three weeks without rain is a drought, for me! I shall have to be Ruthless!

Banish to a warm dry place and treat them like Cyclamen.

Do you repot annually?

At the risk of sounding like a bad plant mommy.....No, I don't repot annually. Not for any good reason, just cause I keep meaning to "put them somewhere" and don't get around to it, or don't know where I want to put them. I have some that are still in a 4" pot after several years. I NEED to plant them this year, but they already have foliage up so they'll have to wait until dormancy before repotting. Hope I remember this year.....LOL

The good part about my lazy attitude is that you can be certain that these are tough bulbs that tolerate tons of neglect. LOL

wanda

Lachenalias flower in the winter, because most species are distributed throughout the Western Cape of South Africa which lies predominantly in a winter rainfall area. Here are some Lachenalias I photographed behind the scenes at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens in Cape Town. A friend of mine is in charge of the bulb collections so he did me a favour and let me snap away to my hearts delight. I love South African plants! Enjoy

In your New Jersey climate you will probably have to grow these indoors as a cool greenhouse/sunporch plant. Start watering in late October/early November and treat as a normal potted plant with very bright light and cool but not freezing temps. Once they bloom in late winter/early spring, they must be allowed to go completely dry, no water again until October. Most all species will rot out if kept too wet in the dormant season of late spring until early fall.

protea king - I'm fascinated. What's the mix in your pots? That topping grit looks interesting. Quite sharp and also fine?

I also notice you use plain terra cotta for potting up which would certainly improve wicking of water.

Like wanda - the common 'soldier boys' and L bulbifera do grow outside, but I get a lot of rain most months of the year and the bulbs don't get the dry 'baking' they need for success. All part of living down south here in the Roaring Forties!!

ProteaKing, lovely collection!
What is the name of the first Lachenalia?

Surprisingly, all of mine survived our unusual freeze in Jan. without cover or protection. I now have buds on several species and my favorite, L. mutabilis is starting to bloom.

Hello all, beautiful pictures by the way! So here is my question, last spring I started some lachenalia aloides from seed and I got quite a few of them going. During the first year I tried not letting them go into their dormant state (it was kinda tricky with the heat in the south) so they can could form a decent size bulb before they go into their first dormancy period. Right now they are doing well but I was wondering if I should try to not let them go dormant this year or should I just let them? The bulbs are still tiny so I'm worried that they might not make it through a rest period. Should I report them too? Thanks

I just assumed that whatever had been planted must have died, but in dumping the pot found the wee bulbs. After a few months, Lachenalia aloides is blooming inside in frozen mid west USA. Drimiopsis maculata and Clivia both blooming now, as well.