How to grow Suurkanol

Chasmanthe aethiopica thrives in relatively fertile, freely draining soil and will soon spread naturally through division of the corms in favourable situations ¹.

Plants are winter-growing and must be kept dry during their summer dormancy. In well-drained soil they will survive some moisture during this period but should not be allowed to remain too wet. ¹

The ease with which the species multiplies means that is must be repotted frequently if not grown in the garden. ¹

Potted plants benefit from light fertilizing in the growing period. The species does best in milder climates and is not hardy below -5° C. Its early growth and flowering mean that it is seldom prey to the insect pests that attack later-growing bulbs. ¹

These estimates for how long Suurkanol takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.

The species name aethiopica is not directly related to Ethiopia – in classical times it meant south of the known world i.e. south of Egypt and Libya. Several southern African plants were given this specific epiphet early on. ²

A common plant along the southwestern and southern coast of South Africa ¹.

African corn flag, Suurpypie (Afrikaans), Suurkanolpypie (Afrikaans), chasmanthe, cobra lily, small chasmanthe

Antholyza aethiopica

¹ PlantzAfrica: Suurkanolpypie

² Zantedeschia aethiopica on the South African National Biodiversity website, PlantzAfrica:http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantwxyz/zantedeschaeth.htm