I got this bulb in February, as a completely un-rooted, un-leafed bulb. I potted it up and watered sparingly, and within two days I started seeing leaves growing. In its native habitat, this bulb goes dormant during drought, and is able to "wake up" and start growing leaves within hours of a rain storm. I didn't expect it to bloom for at least a year.
I brought it to work and watched it growing a cool fan of leaves for a couple months, and then last Monday I came in after the weekend and was dismayed when I saw what I initially thought was one of the leaves turning yellow. I thought I had killed it with too much water, but then I looked closer and saw that it was a flower spike!!! I swear this spike was not evident the previous Friday, though I may have just overlooked it since it's behind the leaves a bit. Either way, it grew fast!
This is it on Monday, 5/8/17.
And this is it on Wednesday, 5/11/17. The spike is a bit longer and the buds are starting to open.
And this is yesterday, Monday 5/15/17, just one week after I first noticed the flower spike. About half the flowers have gone by and the leaves are starting to yellow. This is a fast-lane plant that is well-adapted to take advantage of any available water in a dry region.
The flowers are very pretty, and are fragrant, smelling sort of like sharp dusty orange oil. Or, as I realized when I made my after-lunch beverage, actually a lot like an Earl Grey tea bag just as it first hits the hot water.
This is a relatively uncommon bulb in the houseplant trade, but I really like it. I played bee with the flowers today, and I can't wait to see if I get any seeds.
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