Posted by Administrator on 7/7/2011
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Plants
Worsleya procera aka rayneri the so called Blue Amaryllis from the Organ Mountains of Brazil is also known as Hippeastrum procerum. The plant reminds one of Aloe plicatilis but with drooping leaves. Flowers are actually lavender blue similar to the “blue” color described for some orchids.
We were lucky enough to see these in habitat back in the 1970’s. At that time there were only two known locations. We only visited one site. It was on a mountain side growing on what we presumed to be a solid sheet of granite on at least a 45 degree angle. In small depressions where humus and detritus from above could collect, you found them along with various grasses and lithophytic shrubbery. There were no trees. Much of the area was just bare rock with nothing growing. They were growing in full sun. The elevation was around 3200 feet. We only saw one plant up close and that was after considerable effort to reach the extremely steep and slippery spot. You could see numerous plants at a distance but these were virtually impossible to visit up close. We did not see the area that pictures have apparently come from and have appeared on the Internet. This appears to be much less steep, and in much bigger masses.
Shortly after that trip, we were able to import 13 plants and to keep them here in Florida until we purchased our property in Mexico. They bloomed the first year or two in Florida but definitely did not thrive. In Mexico where we get the cool nights and mountain breezes they have prospered. They bloom every year sporadically usually from April thru August. We have never been able to get seed to set so all our plants are from the 13 originals by division. We are in a seasonally dry rainforest area with heavy summer rains. Temperatures rarely go to 90F. and are in the 50 to 60’s during night time. We grow them on a roof top with only 4 inches of soil which we harvested from under coffee trees. Most plant additives are not readily available. We occasionally get a particularly species of grasshopper (similar to our Lubbers in Florida) to attack them . We have no other issues there but find them more challenging when moved to Florida.
We bring plants in from Mexico only on a pre ordered basis. We can supply up to blooming size plants to ship from Florida. Proceeds go entirely to support artificial propagation conservation efforts in Mexico. We do not have enough plants at this time to supply any quantity. Please email us to be placed on a list. We only take a $25.00 deposit for delivery within a year prior to 30 days of shipment. Check out www.Rarespecies.org for more information on our Mexico Property. All proceeds from this plant go toward botanical conservation efforts, and allows us to search the world for new plants.
We currently have some plants for sale.
