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DESCRIPTION:

This is a exclusive bulb that we obtained from a grower in Texas, and we have named it Southern Snowball many years ago. Now, after many years of observation, we are pretty much convinced that this is actually the hybrid named Maiden's Blush, one of the choice hybrids of all time done by the late, Dr. Thad Howard. Like most hybrids it does not form any seeds, but it forms generous quantities of new offset bulbs. It multiplied from two medium-size bulbs to well over 300 bulbs from 2001 to 2010. Compared to most of the over 1000 different crinum that we grow, including about 350 of our own hybrids, that is a very fast rate of increase.

Southern Snowball/Maiden's Blush blooms June-August which is nice. This looks somewhat similar to Powellii Album, but it is definitely not that. The buds are pink and then blush pink on the keel (outside of the bud) after opening. The scapes on a mature bulb will rise about 36", and we have recorded as many as 17 buds which open a pure white in sequential order with only a few open at a time. The fragrant flowers are very large, about 6 1/2" inches in diameter. It is a medium-sized crinum as measured by leaf and scape size, but the bulbs can grow to well over 5" in diameter.

BACKGROUND:

As stated earlier, the closest match that we have is Crinum Maiden's Blush (C. zeylanicum x C. moorei mouse - by Thad Howard) which is the same parentage as the old classic, J C Harvey. It does have the characteristic light stripe up the back of the leaf which is a marker of C. zeylanicum. When Thad Howard originally distributed his hybrid there were 2 different seedlings sold under the name of Maiden's Blush. Later he named the second one Old Maid which was supposedly slightly smaller and formed offsets faster.

GROWING CONDITIONS:

Here, in northeast Florida, zone 9, it survives temperatures into the low 20's and should do fine in a variety of soils. Crinum bulbs can survive nicely out of the ground for very extended periods if allowed to dry. They can take full sun, but will still bloom with some shade. They will also make excellent, large container plants, and can be brought inside in zone 7 or below.

DESCRIPTION OF ITEM FOR BID:

You are bidding on a large, blooming-sized bulb at least 4 years old and about 2 1/2" in diameter which should bloom within 1 year. Bulbs will be freshly dug, shipped bare root and with leaves March-November. In the winter months the leaves may be absent.

WE SIZE OUR BULBS APPROXIMATELY BY AGE AS FOLLOWS: A few varieties can take 6 years or more to bloom.

Jumbo bulb – has bloomed at least 2 years, close to the maximum size for that particular plant (6+ years old)

Large bulb - should bloom this year or next (3+ years old, close to, or at blooming size)

Medium bulb - should bloom in 1-2 years (at least 2 years old)

Small bulb - should bloom 2-4 years (current year or 1-2 year old offset)

Seedling bulb - started from seed (usually in its first year of growth unless otherwise stated)

PHOTOS/ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

These are pictures of our plants, so you know exactly what they look like and what you will receive. The photos show the plant in various stages of growth. Please feel free to contact us for additional information, and click on "Me" following our star rating. Also, we invite you to go to our store (little red door) and look at other items we have for sale.