Mystery....for now

14 comments

Some time ago my OH and I cleared one of the greenhouses. It was quite a task as many plants had grown one into the other and there were countless plant pots to sort and organise.
We have managed some semblance of order, thank Goodness!

However in one corner we found the bulbs in the accompanying image. For once my OH was baffled. He had completely forgotten all about them and what is worse, doesn’t know what they are. I said I would post them here as someone would know, only to be told that without a flower there isn’t much chance of that! They look like onions in the image but we are not vegetable growers.

Any ideas, please?

The bulbs have been potted up and we may have the solution “soon”.

Title of “Expert of the Week” to the person who correctly identifies the bulbs here and now. :O)

13 Jan, 2017
5 likes

Comments

Shirley_tulip

Alliums perhaps?

13 Jan, 2017

Seaburngirl

more clues please Does the foliage smell of onion if yes then I'd also go for ornamental alliums of which there are many different varieties. how many leaves per bulb?

13 Jan, 2017

Eirlys

No smell at all so we think Alliums are "out".

Will check number of leaves for you!

13 Jan, 2017

Wildrose

I like mysteries so I hope somebody solves this one!

13 Jan, 2017

Bjs

Leaves look like Nerines but not that familiar with the bulbs other than they increase rapidly

13 Jan, 2017

Paulspatch

I think , like Brian......they could be Nerines!(N.Bowdenii)
The bulbs usually go a little whiter and papery looking but these are probably still a bit young for that!

13 Jan, 2017

Paulspatch

Or, looking at them again.......not a Crinum, are they?

13 Jan, 2017

Andrewr

Too small for crinums, they are huge bulbs

13 Jan, 2017

Dianebulley

Wish I could get Nerines to grow for me. Lucky you, having such good soil. Must try again with them in a pot of
Gerbil compost.

14 Jan, 2017

Thorneyside

I was thinking bluebells from the leaves but my bulbs come in some very strange shapes and these look pretty uniform so what about Fritillaria? I must remember to keep watching for the answer.

14 Jan, 2017

Bjs

Frit bulbs are like Lilies

14 Jan, 2017

Seaburngirl

what about Nectoscordum bulgarica? they are similar to this and although renamed allium bulgarica they don't smell that oniony

15 Jan, 2017

Eirlys

OH says not Nerines or Crinum. Holding out for appearance of flowers!

15 Jan, 2017

Thorneyside

You're right BJS, it's a long time since I dug any up. Time will tell.