Splitting up some Silver squill

 Here is a pot full of a hardy and useful accent plant. It goes by several common names, usually Silver squill, but also Silver Squill, Wood Hyacinth, Bluebell, South African Scilla, Leopard Lily, Violet Squill .
Scientific name is Ledebouria socialis
 It is native to South Africa, so I think must overlap with another bonsai favorite Elephant bush (otherwise know as Dwarf Jade). It is so hardy it seems like one of those plants that can only be killed by actually trying, such as watering with gasoline or something. Negligence doesn't seem to phase it. In fact, like most bonsai, and any captive plant, some benign neglect is never a bad thing.


This particular clump of silver squill has been growing in this  six sided Chinese pot for several years with no attention beyond semi-irregular watering. I find fertilizer is a waste on these guys, it just makes them overextend. It has sat on a front porch on a plant stand with a few bromeliads, the whole group getting a few hours of direct sun from the east in the morning, then increasing shade as the day goes on. The broms love it, and flower and pup regularly, but I think the squill would like some more intense light-it is far too long for my taste. This plant really responds well to bonsai culture, and a small pot and bright light reward the grower with short, compact growth.

The shots of the  plant withdrawn show that it has become fairly rootbound. The mass of roots is mirrored by the pile of bulbs up above the surface. Though squill blooms pretty well, I have never seen it set seeds.  It does but out a fair number of bulbs, which are easy to pull off and plant as new starts. Make sure the bulb has a bit of root and it will take care of itself.





The pot above was dived up into 13 nursey packs, as well as a small mame pot, with enough left over to go back in the original container with fresh soil.
Silver squill seems to sleep for a while, then creep and leap. It is not a fast grower, but amazingly persistent-like that bunny in the commercials, it keeps going and going!


If you have ever been given some of that sourdough cake starter that has to be fed and dived regularly, silver squill can be a bit similar.  Since it grows relentlessly, it will eventually fill up any container you have it in.  Some people may be strong willed enough to thin it out and put the excess in their compost pile, but not me. If you have a similar feeling, you will have plant of starts to pass on to plant minded friends.
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Scientific name: Ledebouria socialis

Common name: Silver Squill, Wood Hyacinth, Bluebell, South African Scilla, Leopard Lily, Violet Squill

FAMILY: Asparagaceae- related to Asparagus,Mondo grass,Agave, and closely related to hyacinths, grape hyacinths and blue bells.

Silver quills are Monocots-they have one seed leaf.

Distribution and habitat: Ledebouria socialis is a geophytic(forms an underground storage organ) species of bulbous perennial plant native to the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. It grows in arid savanna in summer-rainfall regions where it is found in fine to medium grained shallow to deep well drained humus rich sandy soil. It usually grows in shade mostly in closed evergreen woodland. This species has mottled leaves enabling it to blend into its thicket backdrop.

Description: Ledebouria socialis is a small evergreen perennial forming bulbs in thick clusters that survive drought as effectively as any succulent. It has fleshy, stalkless, broadly lance-shaped, pointed leaves 5-10cm (2-4 inch) long. Leaf upper surfaces are silvery blotched and banded with olive green and the undersides are deep violet. Dense clusters of tiny, green flowers edged with white are produced in spring on flower stalks 8-15cm (3-6 inch) long. The bulb is small, epigeal (exposed), about 1cm (0.4 inch) in diameter, purplish in color with a transparent tunic. These plants produce offsets profusely, so that a tightly packet cluster of small bulbs can cover the surface of a pan of potting mixture within few years.

Light: Ledebouria socialis require bright light with three to four hours a day of direct sunlight.

Watering:  water moderately, allowing the top of the potting mixture to dry out before watering again. During the rest period water these plants only enough to prevent the mixture from drying out.

Feeding: Apply liquid fertiliser once a month during the active growing period.

Potting and repotting: Use a soil based potting mixture and plant in the spring, but no more than three bulbs in a single 10-15cm (4-6 inch) pot. Space the bulbs evenly over the surface and bury only the bottom half or each bulb in the potting mixture. During the first four or six weeks do not feed the plants and water sparingly, allowing the top half or the potting mixture to dry out between waterings. When the new roots should be well established, treat the plants in the normal way. Break up overcrowded clumps every two or three years.

Propagation:  Break bulbs away from clumps after the flowers have faded (normally in late spring)

Toxicity: All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested.

Bonsai Specific observations:

·          This plant  responds well to the ‘bonsai effect’ small pots and pot bound conditions affect leaf size greatly.

·          The plant seems to grow at it’s own pace-slow and relentless.

·          Don’t waste fertilizer on them. They grow slowly, fertilizer produces an elongated plant

·          They can take a good deal of bright light, and lots of direct sun too.  Easy way to care for them is set the pot on the east side of larger bonsai.

·          Like most desert plants, they can take fairly low temperatures-low 40s by personal experience.

·          Bulbs will not sprout roots, but even small bulbs that already have roots will grow and multiply.

·          Over time will form thick, congested mounds of bulbs. If you prefer a flatter composition, remove bulbs on occasion