Fritillaria michailovskyi is from North Eastern Türkiye, it grows in mountainous areas and with its deep burgundy rounded bell shaped flowers with a deep yellow rim is a colourful spring flowering bulb.
So we are talking about the area near Ağrı, Erzurum and Kars , at altitudes of around 2000m.
This is a rather short growing species reaching only around 10 inches (25cm) in height.
Sometimes called Michael’s flower, although the species name michailovskyi is named after a Russian botanist S.J. Michailovskyi.
How To Grow Fritillaria michailovskyi
This is a species that naturally grows in alpine area, screes and open rocky slopes so drainage needs to be excellent.
- Use a free draining potting mix or grow in the garden where drainage is good.
- It pots use a deep pot to allow the bulb to drag itself down.
- Plant the bulbs at around 4 inches deep (10cm) which seems deep for the size of the bulb however this helps with keeping the bulb cool and moist.
- Plant individual bulbs at around 2 – 4 inches (5 – 10cm) apart.
- During active growth water regularly.
- During dormancy the soil or potting mix needs to allowed to dry a little. Dormancy will be over summer
- Use a liquid fertiliser every two weeks after flowering until the foliage dies back.
- In containers repot every 3 – 4 years using a good quality free draining potting mix.
Propagation
You can propagate Fritillaria michailovskyi from bulbs or from seed.
Propagation from bulbs is best carried out once the plant has entered its summer dormancy.
Dig climps carefully every 4 – 5 years, seperate the bulbs and replant immediatly. Bulds should be planted at around 10cm deep (4 inches).
Propagation from seeds is best when tou sow fresh seeds immediately after collection, so summer into autumn/fall. Seeds need moisture and cold to allow for germination.