Amaryllisaceae is a large family of monocotyledonous plants, which includes about two thousand varieties. Most of them are herbaceous types of flowers. They have an aesthetic appearance, for which they are very fond of flower growers in Europe. In addition to ornamental purposes, some types of plants are used in medicine and cooking.
In this article we will consider the amaryllis family, photos and the main features of its representatives.
Homeland of the family
Amaryllis is native to South Africa. In this part of the hottest continent, nature comes to life only for a couple of months a year. This period is in July and August. It is at this time that the arid southern part of Africa is abundantly rained. The soil is saturated with moisture, and the bulbs of the plant of the amaryllis family acquire buds.
It is noteworthy that in such a short time the desert terrain of South Africa is changing. The landscape is covered with a colorful carpet of all kinds of flowers and herbs. Among this abundance of vegetation, large flowers stand out. On a massive thick stem, which can reach 60 centimeters in height, there are inflorescences formed from buds of various colors. The flower of the amaryllis family can have a different shape and shade, depending on which species it belongs to. It can be white, and burgundy, and pink.
general description
The Amaryllis family includes about seventy genera of bulbous plants. Interestingly, although South Africa is the historical homeland of this culture, this did not prevent it from spreading widely to all continents. Some members of the Amaryllis family are found even in temperate climates. These include daffodils and snowdrops. However, most of the species of the Amaryllis family grows in tropical and subtropical zones.
Most heat-loving species can be grown indoors. These include hippeastrum, clivia, vorsley and rhodofial. The main reason for the popularity of the Amaryllis family lies in their unusual inflorescences. They have a very aesthetic and beautiful appearance, thanks to which they are able to fit into any interior. Buds can be collected in several pieces. There are also plants with single flowers.
Amaryllis grows in the southern part of the African continent. An interesting fact is that flower growers often mistake it for another plant - hippeastrum. This culture is outwardly very similar to the Amaryllis family, but grows on the American continent. This introduced some confusion, and therefore certain recommendations were put forward by the International Botanical Congress in the middle of the 20th century.
- All amaryllis found in South Africa are combined into one species - beautiful amaryllis.
- All subspecies growing on the American continent were classified as hippeastrums.
However, for many years, clivias and many other bulbous flowers were also called amaryllis. Therefore, until now, often in the descriptions of the features of the Amaryllis family, the name hippeastrum can be seen as a synonym for this type of plant.
Bulb Description
The bulb is the key element of the plant. From it begins the life of amaryllis. The ripe bulb has a pear shape. As it grows, it acquires a brownish tint, has a large size. In diameter it can reach 12-13 centimeters. A distinctive feature of the bulb of the amaryllis family is that the “children” grow from its center, and not from the edges, as happens in other related crops.
The appearance of the leaves
To many people who first saw amaryllis, it may seem that this plant has no foliage. But she is still there. The leaves of the Amaryllis family are long and grooved. Their color varies from light green to deep dark. The bush has a peculiar structure. Leaves grow from the root, not from the petioles. They are absent in this culture. One of its main features is the death of leaves for a dormant period. This can only be observed in hybrid types. If we consider other species, then their foliage is preserved all year round.
What is a peduncle
Before the beginning of the most beautiful period, an arrow with buds is thrown out. The size of the peduncle directly depends on the parameters of the bulb, in particular on its age. Also important factors are the conditions under which amaryllis grows. If the bulb is sufficiently developed, then the peduncle can reach a size of 55-60 centimeters. It has a dense fleshy structure and is not hollow inside. During the growth period, the peduncle is always directed towards the light. In order for it to have the correct even shape, the container with the plant is regularly rotated around its axis. The arrow is removed only after the full maturation of the seeds.
Some indoor plant lovers immediately after the first bud opens, cut off the peduncle and place it in a container of water. It is noteworthy that the rest of the flowers on it fully bloom and are able to exist no less than on the plant. Cut off the arrow so that the bulb has the opportunity to release a new one. However, using this method, it will not be possible to obtain amaryllis seeds.
Seeds of the amaryllis family, general characteristics
After the flower petals fall, bolls form in their place, in which the seeds are located. They initially have a rich green color and have a triangular shape. They consist of 3 chambers, where the process of seed ripening takes place. This period lasts at least 1 month. Up to 18-20 seeds are located in each of the chambers. Their color varies from white to pale red. For this, flower growers often compare them with pomegranate seeds. Amaryllis seeds become unusable very quickly, so it is recommended not to delay planting them after harvesting.
Flower
It is large and can reach 10 centimeters in diameter. The flowers form umbellate inflorescences. Each of them can have up to 10-12 buds. In the wild, growing in South Africa, amaryllis can often have a simple shape, where 6 petals form a funnel. At the same time, breeders every year bring out more and more new hybrid species of this plant, where you can observe flowers of various sizes with a rich palette of colors.
How to plant and propagate
This plant with spread leaves and a high peduncle has insufficient stability. Therefore, experts recommend using large containers during transplantation. An important point when choosing a pot for amaryllis is its special shape. The container should be narrowed at the top and widen at the bottom. This will provide the necessary stability to the pot. When landing, certain requirements must be observed.
First, the bulb should be planted in the center. At the same time, the distance from it to the walls of the pot should be at least three centimeters. If several bulbs are placed in the container, then a gap of at least 10 centimeters should be left between them. The second important condition is the volume of the pot. It should be wide and deep. This is necessary because the plant has a powerful root system.
When planting, it is recommended to use soil, which will include river sand, garden soil and soddy soil. Such a mixture can be created independently or purchased at a specialized store. Drainage plays a key role in planting. It is able to provide the necessary aeration of the roots. Gravel or expanded clay can be used as drainage. It is poured with a layer of no more than three centimeters, on top you need to add a little sand.
Care
With proper care, you can get up to three amaryllis blooms per year. This crop needs diffused light, moderate moisture, suitable soil drainage, comfortable room temperature and proper fertilizer. Watering should begin no earlier than the arrow rises to a height of ten centimeters. It is important to know that amaryllis do not like stagnant water. In this case, it will be optimal to water no more than once every four days. It should be carried out so that water does not fall on the bulbs. It should be poured exclusively into the soil.
In the winter months, you need to spray the crop, but not more than once every ten days. Florists recommend using mixtures saturated with phosphorus and potassium as fertilizers. If we are talking about amaryllis growing in the open field, then they can be fed with organic matter. The solution can be prepared from poultry manure.
Diseases and pests
The most dangerous and destructive disease for amaryllis is stagonosporosis. When the disease affects the crop, spots form on the bushes, which become larger and larger over time. This leads to the death of the foliage. As a result, the bulb will also certainly die. Without the right amount of leaves, it gradually becomes smaller and weaker. In order to cure the plant, as a rule, a 0.2% solution of "Fundazol" is used. Also perfect "Trichodermin" or "Fitosporin". The treatment process itself lasts for two years and consists in dressing the bulb before planting it, spraying the foliage and soil.
The most dangerous pests of amaryllis are considered to be: scale insect, worm, root mite, nematodes, slugs, mealybugs, narcissus fly and others. Flower growers recommend paying close attention to the temperature regime. The greatest activity and reproduction of pests occurs at high temperatures. Therefore, it is important to periodically inspect the culture for unwanted insects. On the lower and upper sides of the leaves, you can find a scale insect protected by a wax shell. But the greatest damage to the plant is caused by tramps, which spread through the foliage and suck the juice out of it.
The genus Crinum belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family, which includes up to 70 genera and at least 1000 species, distributed in the tropics and subtropics of all continents except Antarctica. The genus Crinum is the largest in the family and includes, according to various estimates, from 100 to 170 species. Approximately 80 species grow in tropical Africa, about 10 species in South Africa, more than 20 species in tropical Asia, at least 10 in tropical America, and about 10 species grow in Australia and Polynesia.
Over a long period of evolution, krinums of various species have adapted to living in a wide variety of conditions. They can be found in the mountains at altitudes over 1000 meters above sea level, they grow in deserts and on sea coasts, a considerable part of the species have chosen swamps and river banks as their habitat. And finally, few
species have adapted to living in rivers and lakes up to desalinated lagoons.
According to modern estimates, there are from 10 to 14 species of aquatic krynums, but ongoing research can both reduce this number by synonymizing a number of outwardly different forms, and increase the description of new species that are not yet known to science.
Crinum thai
Regardless of their habitats, all krinums have a number of common features. These are long ribbon-like leaves in aquatic species or lanceolate in terrestrial species with dense covers, which, when damaged, release a large amount of mucus rich in alkaloids. These are quite large - from white and yellow to intense pink and purple - flowers collected in an inflorescence-umbrella on a stem up to a meter long. Plants of different species in the inflorescence have from 2 to 50 long-tubular flowers with 6 petals and a bunch of 6 long stamens with large anthers (sometimes brightly colored) and one pistil.
All krinums, both aquatic and terrestrial, have many-scaled bulbs. In aquatic species, thickenings in the lower part of the stem are usually less pronounced. They rather resemble a tube formed by the bases of the leaves. The roots are powerful, weakly branching, juicy, from white to brown, depending on the nature of the soil and growing conditions.
At present, three types of aquatic krynums and several of their forms with an unclear taxonomic status are cultivated in our country. The first to enter our country was Crinum thaianum, or Thai krinum - in 1967, the second - Crinum natans, or floating krinum - in 1972. Replenishment of our collection of aquarium plants with these species is the merit of Mark Davidovich Makhlin. And, finally, about ten years later, Crinum calamistratum, or curly-haired crinum, was introduced by D. Nekrasov.
All three species are excellent aquarium plants, unpretentious and durable, although they are suitable only for large ones and are highly undamaged by fish, even herbivores; a powerful root system securely fixes the plant in the ground, which allows you to keep burrowing fish with them - these features expand the possibility of their use in the design of problematic aquariums.
Crinum thaianum J. Schulze, 1971. First marketed before scientific description under the commercial name Crinum aquatica.
In nature, it lives in the rivers of southern Thailand. The bulb is rounded, in old specimens up to 7 cm in diameter, much thicker than the light elongated base of the rosette of leaves. The leaves are light green with straight edges and a slightly convex narrow midrib, up to 3 meters long and 1.5-2.5 cm wide. The top of the leaf is shortly pointed.
Crinum floating
A strong adult bush can carry up to 15 leaves. They are straight, like those of a giant vallisneria, twisted into a loose spiral around the central vein, or twisted in a corkscrew-like manner. The status of these forms is unclear, it is still unknown whether this trait is inherited or not, and their origin has not been established: it is quite possible that they are geographical races. In batches of this species from Singaporean aquarium plant suppliers, they come across all together and there are no clear boundaries between them.
Crinum natans Baker, 1898. Cultivated since 1966. It lives in the rivers of West Africa from Guinea to Cameroon and south to Zaire. The bulb looks like only a thickening of the base of the rosette of leaves up to 4.5 cm in diameter, pin-shaped. The leaves are dark green with a powerful light, convex on both sides of the central vein, which occupies up to a third of the width of the leaf. In intense light, young leaves are brownish, but eventually turn green. The edges of the leaf are smoothly wavy, the top is gradually pointed. Leaf length up to 1.5 m, width - 1.5-5 cm. A strong adult specimen can carry up to 20-25 leaves.
Just like the Thai krinum, this species has a number of forms that differ in the nature of the leaves. There are forms with narrow and wide leaves, there are smoothly twisted along the central vein. Perhaps the most decorative is Crinum natans f. 4 "torta", in which the lateral parts of the leaf blade are often and finely corrugated, as if compressed along the central vein. Apparently, it is this variation that Singaporean aquarium plant suppliers call Crinum aquatica. And in this case of variability, we are most likely dealing with geographical races, although, perhaps, the customs of I.Nordal and R.Wahlstrom (A study of the genus Crinum (Amaryllidaceae) in Came-roun. Adansonia. ser.2, 20 \ 2 \ 179-198, 1980), suggesting that in this case we are dealing with natural hybrids that have arisen between species of krinum growing nearby.
Crinum calamistratum Bogner et Heine, 1987. Introduced into culture before the scientific description under the name Crinum natans "crispus". The birthplace of this delightful species is the rivers of western Cameroon. The bulb is weakly expressed. up to 3 cm in diameter. The leaves are dark green, consisting of a powerful central vein and narrow, strongly wavy lateral parts of the leaf blade up to 2 m long and not more than 0.7 cm wide, hard and brittle. An adult bush can have up to 40 leaves, although usually less. No distinct variations have yet been identified in this species.
Crinums reproduce in nature and botanical gardens mainly by seeds, and vegetatively in aquariums, although they bloom quite easily with a water column of up to 50 cm. An adult bush gives babies inside the mother bulb or close to it. Children grow slowly, especially if there are a lot of them, and they can be separated only after the formation of 5-7 leaves and at least 2-3 roots. Otherwise, they will either die, or will get sick for a long time and develop extremely slowly. The most prolific is C. calamistratum, sometimes a strong bush carries up to 20 children of different ages. The other two species give 1-3 babies at a time, and they develop more slowly. If the first species begins to breed sometimes already in the second or third year, then it is not worth waiting for the offspring of others before 5-6 years.
Crinum curly
The conditions for growing these three species and their variations in aquarium culture are the same, despite the fact that in nature they live in different places, differing not only geographically, but also in ecological parameters.
Krinums are extremely unpretentious to the chemical composition of water, they grow approximately equally in both soft acidic water and hard slightly alkaline water. Both old, rarely changed water and fresh, regularly changed water are suitable.
Illumination should be moderate; withstand and weak, but slow down the already unhurried growth, they are quite content with incandescent lamps or fluorescent tubes of the LB type. The use of spectral lamps or special lamps is justified only in aquariums over 50 cm deep.
Temperature from 22 to 35°C. At the lower temperature limit, plant growth practically stops, but it does not die, and at high temperatures it is necessary to increase the light and feed CO2, otherwise the lower leaves begin to die and the plant becomes very weak, followed by a long rehabilitation. At 24-26°C, there is no need for additional feeding of CO2 - the amount that hydrobionts secrete and comes from the atmosphere is quite enough.
Foliar top dressing (applying liquid fertilizers to water) is ineffective, since the lion's share of minerals is absorbed by the roots. In addition, the slightest overdose of fertilizers can lead to a violation of the biological balance in the aquarium and provoke the massive development of algae,
from which the leaves of the krynums suffer greatly and begin to die off, and in any case their decorative effect disappears for a long time.
The greatest attention when growing krinums requires handling the roots. Powerful, but fragile roots of these plants really do not like transplants and are afraid of decay.
Any damage to the roots stops the plant from growing, so be patient when planting the plant in your tank. When planting, it is necessary to ensure that only the very base of the bulb is buried in the ground.
Before starting to grow, the plant must restore the root system, and this takes time.
The most suitable soil should be recognized as a river screening of 3-6 mm. Due to the powerful root system, the soil layer should be at least 8-10 cm, but it is no longer worth it, since it will be difficult to avoid siltation in the lower layers. You can also plant in pots, but they must be large in order to avoid frequent transplants or compaction of the root ball, which leads to the inevitable decay of the roots with all the ensuing consequences.
For the same reason, strong silting of the soil is unacceptable. It is good to add some activated charcoal under the roots, which will save the roots from decay. It is best to fertilize with special soil fertilizers for aquariums, such as Tetra Plant or Sera florenette A.
Laterite, natalite, and vulcanite, which are now regularly on the market, can also be used, but since in this case it is more difficult to maintain the correct dosages, one must be very careful. The main rule: be careful with the roots, and success is guaranteed.
Crinum purple (Crinum purpurascens).
Distributed in the waters of Central and South America, found in Brazil and in western
areas of India.
It is very similar to the floating krynum, but much smaller than it.
Leaves are usually up to 30 cm long and 3 cm wide; the main vein protrudes slightly. Flowers white to purplish red.
Grow the plant in a tropical aquarium with a low water level, in a bright place.
Water should be soft, temperature 20 - 30 ° C.
Decorative flowering perennials Amaryllis differ from many perennials in the peculiar shape of flowers and leaves.
They grow mainly in tropical and subtropical countries of the globe.
In the conditions of the zones of the middle zone of the globe, they are grown as a pot culture, since they are very sensitive even to light frosts. Therefore, only some of them (for example, daffodils) can be planted in open ground when favorable weather conditions for their development occur.
In the warm season, they can be decorated in parks, squares, gardens, small, elegant flower beds near residential buildings. These exotic plants look especially bright and attractive when decorating colorful compositions in winter gardens, botanical gardens and rock gardens.
According to biological properties Perennial plants of the Amaryllis family distinguish between frost-resistant and heat-loving.
Frost resistant plants include:
- Whiteflower;
- Snowdrop.
Heat-loving plants include:
- Hemanthus;
- Hippeastrum;
- Zephyranthes (Marshmallow flower);
- Crinum;
- Narcissus;
- Cirtanthus;
- Sternberg.
Frost-resistant plants of this family tolerate both fairly low temperatures and sudden temperature changes. Heat-loving plants of the Amaryllis family, which mainly grow in tropical and subtropical countries in temperate zones, they are grown in greenhouses, greenhouses, greenhouses.
According to the ecological and soil state environment when growing them, ground-blooded plants (lawn substitutes), plants of alpine and rocky gardens are distinguished.
Ground-blooded plants include: White flower, Snowdrop, Narcissus, Sternbergia. The plants of the alpine and rocky gardens include: Belotsvetnik, Snowdrop, Sternbergia.
According to the required illumination for their good development, they are divided into light-loving, semi-shade and shade-tolerant. Light-loving - Gemanthus, Hippeastrum, Zephyranthes, Crinum, Narcissuses, Snowdrop, Cirtanthus, Shtenbergia. Semi-shade - Shtenbergia, Daffodils. Shade-tolerant - Snowdrop, Shtenbergia (in the southern regions).
whiteflower
Distributed in the Carpathian mountains, in deciduous forests, damp meadows and ravines; also grows along the banks of rivers, near reservoirs. Refers to ground plants. They are early spring perennial bulbous amaryllis plants, the height of which is up to 30 cm.
The flowers are broadly bell-shaped, pure white, fragrant. Flower petals are decorated with green or yellow spots. The white flower blooms in April, later than the Snowdrop. Propagated by seeds and bulbs. This is a frost-resistant, moisture-loving plant.
The soil for its cultivation should be loose, fertile, sufficiently moist. They are planted in borders, in rock gardens, on lawns, they are also used to decorate bouquets.
Hippeastrum
Distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of South America and South Africa. This is a perennial bulbous plant, the bulb has a short neck, the outer scales of the bulb are in the form of a brown film.
The leaves are belt-like, leathery, bright green, shiny, the length of which reaches 60 cm, the width is 6 cm. Leaves appear either simultaneously with the flowering of the plant or after it has faded. This plant has large amaryllis flowers, the diameter of which is up to 20 cm, 2-6 each, collected in funnel-shaped inflorescences of red, pink, white.
The plant blooms from January to May (depending on the size of the bulb and the plant variety). The fruit is a fleshy capsule. Propagated by seeds, bulbs - children, dividing the bulbs.
The soil should be nutritious, consisting of soddy, deciduous and humus soil, sand, fertile and loose, moderately moist. Grown in deep pots (twice as many bulbs) housed in greenhouses. They are planted in winter gardens, in residential, bright rooms, in tropical and subtropical zones they grow soil as a garden crop.
The most common species of Hippeastrum: Ludwigs Goliath, Red Scarlet, Datch Belle, Rodeo, Cardinal, Safari, Sanzibar - red flowers; Tangerine, Glorious Victory - orange flowers; Pure Pink, Bouquet - pink flowers; Pure White - white flowers.
Hemanthuses
Distributed in Central and South Africa, where they grow on stony soils. These are beautiful, bulbous or leafy perennials. The leaves are short-petiolate or sessile, dense, fleshy, thick, green.
The flowers are tubular, up to 5 cm long, white, red, orange. As can be seen in the amaryllis photos, the flowers are collected in dense umbellate inflorescences. Plants begin to bloom at the end of summer and bloom for a month and a half.
The fruit is a box, yago-like, red. Hemanthuses are propagated by seeds and daughter bulbs. These are heat-loving, photophilous plants, the soil for their cultivation should consist of soddy, leafy soil and sand, moderately moistened, containing humus.
It is grown in greenhouses as a pot culture for the collection, used for landscaping winter gardens, shop windows. The following species are common: H. Katharinae Bak - red-orange flower petals; H. Konig Albert, H. Multiflorus Martyn, H. Lindenii N. E. Br. - double-red flowers; H. Coccineus L. - bright red flowers; H. Albiflos jacq - white flowers.
Zephyranthes (Marshmallow flower)
Distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of Central and South America. These are perennial bulbous plants of the Amaryllis family, in some species the bulbs are small, the diameter of which is up to 2.5 cm, but quite often they are also found with large bulbs, the diameter of which reaches 8-10 cm.
The leaves are dark green, linear or belt-like. The flowers are solitary, white, pink, yellow, rather large, up to 8 cm in diameter, wide open. Depending on the type of plant, they bloom from early spring to late autumn. A very rapid development of the peduncle is observed, after the appearance of which the plant blooms above the soil surface in 1-2 days. Therefore, Zephyranthes is called the "Upstart".
The fruit is a box, the plant is propagated by seeds and bulbs. This is a light-loving, heat-loving plant. The soil for cultivation should be fertile and loose, drained, containing humus. Used as a pot culture, three types of Zephyranthes are known: Z. Candida Herb - white flowers; Z. Granoliflora Lindl - bright pink flowers; Z. Rosea Lindl - pink flowers.
Crinum
Distributed in the tropics and subtropics of Asia, Africa, America. This is a perennial bulbous plant. The leaves are linear-lanceolate or belt-like, light green in color. The flowers are quite large, the diameter of which is 10-12 cm, white, pink, collected in umbrella inflorescences.
The fruit is a three-leaved box, propagated by seeds and daughter bulbs. This is a light-loving, heat-loving plant. The soil for its cultivation should consist of a mixture of soddy, deciduous, peaty soil and sand, loose, containing humus. They are used as amaryllis houseplants for landscaping winter gardens.
In the South of Ukraine, some species are grown in open or semi-closed ground. The following species are known in culture: C. Asiaticum L. - white flowers; C. Longifolium Thunb - red flowers; C. Moorei Hook - pink flowers; C. Xpowellii Hort - white flowers.
Narcissus
Homeland - Southern Europe, the Mediterranean. This is a perennial bulbous plant. Perennial egg-shaped bulbs consist of 7-18 fleshy dry scales, which contain nutrients.
The leaves are narrow, linear-lanceolate, basal, green. The flowers are large, simple or double, with a pleasant delicate aroma, solitary or collected in umbellate inflorescences.
The Narcissus flower consists of six perianth lobes. At the base of the lobes there is a crown, which looks like a crown or an elongated tube. Perianth segments white, yellow, cream; tubes or crowns - from white to orange. Daffodils bloom in April-May. The fruit is a fleshy, tricuspid capsule. Seeds are round, black.
Daffodils, like many flowers of the Amaryllis family, are propagated by seeds for selection; vegetatively - bulbs. This light-loving, heat-loving plant prefers open, sunny areas, well protected from the wind. However, it can also grow in slightly shaded areas. The soil for growing should be fertile, sandy, well-drained, rich in humus, moderately moist. The plant does not tolerate stagnant water.
Planted in flowerbeds, flowerbeds, also used to decorate bouquets and for forcing. More than nine thousand varieties, species and varieties of these plants are known, which are grouped into 11 groups. In the article "Decorative-growing perennial plants Daffodils hybrid" they will be considered.
Snowdrop
Homeland - Europe, Western Asia, the Mediterranean, Turkey, Crimea, the Caucasus. This is a perennial small bulbous, belonging to the winter-early spring flowering ground-blooded plants.
The leaves are linear, green, appear simultaneously with buds and single flowers. The flowers are bell-shaped, white, drooping. The flowers are located on grassy, thin, straight peduncles, the length of which is 7-30 cm. In cloudy, cool weather, the flowers are closed and resemble a hanging, rather large drop of milk.
In the South, Snowdrops bloom from January to early March, in the middle lane - in April. The beginning of the growing season in the middle lane is observed in March-April, in the South - in late December - early January and ends in the middle lane in late June - early July; in the South - in late May - early June.
Snowdrops are propagated by seeds and daughter bulbs. These are winter-hardy plants; they grow well in the middle lane and develop in open sunny areas; in the South - in the shade and partial shade. For cultivation, soils containing humus are needed.
Planted in groups and arrays in rock gardens and rocky gardens, on lawns; used for forcing, also used for decorating bouquets. Amaryllis species are suitable for cultivation: Folded snowdrop (folded leaves, gray-green color, fragrant flowers); Snowdrop Snow White (flowers are white, with a yellow spot on the perianth lobes); Snowdrop broad-leaved (leaves are shiny, wide, green, flowers with a weak aroma).
Cirtanthus
Distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of South and East Africa. This is a perennial bulbous plant. The leaves are linear, green, narrow. The flowers are tubular, orange, collected in umbellate inflorescences.
The fruit is a capsule, the seeds are flat. The plant is propagated by seeds and bulbs. This is a heat-loving and light-loving plant, the soil for growing should be fertile, moderately moist, loose. Used in collections and for decoration of bouquets.
Known species: C. Macowanii Bak - pink-orange flowers; C. Ochroleucus Herb - yellow-white flowers.
sternbergia
Homeland - the Mediterranean, Southwest Asia, Eastern Europe, Transcaucasia, Pamir-Altai, Crimea. Refers to undersized ground-blooded, bulbous, perennial plants.
The leaves are belt-shaped, dark green in color, in rosettes. Their appearance is observed either at the beginning of the flowering of the plant or simultaneously with the buds. Flowers yellow, funnel-shaped. Single or two, having a short or elongated tube and located on a rather short peduncle.
Sternbergia blooms in September-October, some amaryllis species - in early spring. Blooming is plentiful, and quite long. The plant does not bear fruit, propagated vegetatively by baby bulbs. It is a heat-loving, light-loving plant; in the southern regions it grows in shade and partial shade.
The soil for growing should be permeable, well-drained, containing humus. Planted in parks under shrubs and trees, in rock gardens and rocky gardens; used for distillation and as a pot culture, as well as for decorating bouquets.
There are the following types of Sternbergia: Sternbergia yellow - yellow flowers; Sternbergia Fischer - leaves are dull, linear; Sternbergia grandiflora - flowers are large, yellow.
Caring for perennial plants of the amaryllis family
In addition to Amaryllis - Snow White, Podsneyunikov, Narcissus - plants that are more resistant to climatic conditions in the zones of the middle zone of the globe, Amaryllis of the tropics and subtropics require special care when grown.
So, the latter can be grown in the zones of the middle lane, only in pots, boxes placed in greenhouses, greenhouses, greenhouses, in places well lit by the sun.
The temperature should be 18-20 degrees, humidity - 85-90%. For good care when growing Amaryllis, you need:
- regular weeding, loosening;
- watering;
- top dressing with organic, mineral fertilizers;
- transfer;
- cover for winter.
Regular weeding carried out simultaneously with the loosening of the soil. At the same time, in addition to removing weeds, soil moisture is also preserved.
Watering - plentiful, high humidity is necessary for Amaryllis plants during their budding. This ensures the good development of their root system.
Top dressing with organic fertilizers - in the initial period of the growing season of plants of the Amaryllis family, along with irrigation, mullein, compost, peat, and humus are introduced. Top dressing with mineral fertilizers - before flowering and during the budding period, it is necessary to apply mixtures of nitrogen, phosphorus and potash fertilizers together with irrigation.
Plant transplant contributes to their rejuvenation. So, in large pots, without a transplant, Hemanthuses and Crinums can grow for several years. White flower without a transplant also grows for several years. Snowdrops are recommended to be transplanted 5-6 years after planting. Daffodils in one place can grow up to 10 years, but the optimal time for their transplantation is after three years.
Shelter for the winter - Daffodils must be covered with dry, fallen leaves, up to 15 cm thick. In severe snowless winters, White Flowers and Snowdrops are also recommended to be covered with dry fallen leaves.
Seed propagation of perennial plants of the Amaryllis family
When growing plants of this family, both seedless and seedling methods of their seed propagation are used.
In a seedless way propagate Whiteflower and Snowdrop. In autumn, the seeds of these plants are sown in open, well-prepared ridges, the soil in which must be drained, loose, nutritious.
seedling way (mainly for breeding) propagate amaryllis plants: Gemanthus, Hippeastrum, Zephyranthes, Narcissuses, Crinum, Cirtanthus. To do this, in March, the seeds of these plants are sown in boxes with well-prepared nutrient soil and placed in greenhouses.
After the appearance of two or three leaves, the seedlings dive, that is, they are seated at a distance of 3-4 cm from each other. After the appearance of 4-5 true leaves, the plant is transplanted into pots and placed in greenhouses and greenhouses. Seeds of Hemanthus and Hippeastrum must be sown immediately after harvest, as their germination capacity is quickly lost.
Daffodils, when favorable weather conditions occur, can be planted in open ground. The soil in the ridges should be loose, nutritious, moisture-absorbing, breathable.
It should be noted that during seed propagation, plants of this family bloom 7-8 years after sowing. The exception is the seedlings of Hippeastrum, which bloom 4-5 years after sowing.
Vegetative propagation of perennial plants of the Amaryllis family
Amaryllis flowers show growth, colorful and lush flowering every year. For their good growth and development, both seed and vegetative methods of reproduction are used. The vegetative methods of their reproduction are as follows:
- bulbs;
- dividing the bulbs;
- baby bulbs;
- daughter bulbs.
It should be especially noted that with the vegetative method of propagation, perennial plants of the Amaryllis family bloom 3-4 years after planting.
The exception is Ziferantes (Marshmallow flower) - a plant that blooms 1-2 days after the appearance of the peduncle above the ground.
Vegetative reproduction of the white flower
The white flower is propagated by uterine bulbs, that is, containing many growth buds. In July-August, the bulbs of the White Flower should be planted together with a clod of earth, in well-prepared, open ridges with a nutritious earth mixture to a depth of 8-10 cm. By autumn, the bulbs take root well.
Vegetative propagation Narcissus
Daffodils are propagated by uterine bulbs. The soil for planting bulbs is prepared as follows: in the spring (several months before planting), organic fertilizers in the form of humus are applied to the ridges along with irrigation. Two weeks before planting - along with irrigation, mineral fertilizers (superphosphate, potassium chloride, ammonium nitrate).
The optimal time for planting Narcissus bulbs is from September 10 to October 10, when favorable autumn weather conditions occur. The bulbs are planted to a depth of 10-15 cm with a distance between them in a row of 10-12 cm. For the winter they are covered with dry fallen leaves.
Vegetative propagation of Zephyranthes
Zephyranthes (Marshmallow flower) is propagated by bulbs, which are planted in autumn, 6-12 pieces in pots and placed in greenhouses. The soil mixture for growing should consist of soddy, deciduous soil, humus and sand in a ratio of 1:1:1:0.5. Bulbs with a short neck are planted to the full depth; with a long one - so that it protrudes slightly above the surface of the earth.
Vegetative propagation of Cyranthus
Cirtanthus is propagated by bulbs, which are planted in pots and placed in greenhouses. Planting soil mix should consist of soddy, leafy soil, peat and sand in a ratio of 2:2:2:1 with a neutral reaction. 150-200 g of bone meal can be added to a bucket of earth mixture. The optimum temperature for growing Cirtanthus is 16-18 degrees.
Vegetative propagation of Hippeastrum
Hippeastrum is propagated by dividing the bulbs. For division, bulbs of 5-6 years of age are used, they are cut into 8-32 parts so that each part contains several (3-4) old juicy scales and a small part of the bottom. The separated parts of the plant are dried and planted in wet sand. After 6-8 weeks, the formation of new bulbs is observed. After the appearance of roots and two leaves, the plants are planted.
Vegetative propagation of Sternbergia and Hippeastrum
Sternbergia (and Hippeastrum) are propagated by baby bulbs, the formation of which occurs in the axils of the bulbous scales. The children are transplanted during the transplantation of plants. They are planted to a depth of 10 cm with a distance between them of 15-20 cm. To obtain planting material in breeding nurseries, the bulbs are dug up annually and the nests are divided.
Vegetative propagation of Hemanthus, Crinum
Hemanthus, Crinum are propagated by daughter bulbs. Every year they are planted in spring in pots and placed in greenhouses. The soil mixture for growing should have the following composition: leafy, soddy soil, humus, sand in a ratio of 1:1:1:3. It is necessary that a third of the bulb is above the soil surface. During the period of plant growth, the optimum temperature in greenhouses should be 18-20 degrees, air humidity - 85-90%.
Vegetative propagation of snowdrops
Snowdrop is propagated by daughter bulbs. They are planted in autumn, in well-prepared and open ridges, planting depth - 5-10 cm, the distance between the bulbs should be 10-12 cm. Three years later, a solid, beautiful array is formed.
Distillation of snowdrops, daffodils, Sternbergia of the Amaryllis family
Forcing plants is a way of bringing them out of their dormant state and thus awakening them to bloom in an unusual period for them. Of the entire Amaryllis family, only the above three flowers can be subjected to this procedure. So, everyone knows that Snowdrops and Daffodils bloom even in winter.
Daffodils are among those plants that are less demanding in preparation for forcing. So, for their flowering by the first of May, the bulbs are dug up in June and stored at a temperature of 17 degrees until planting for distillation. In order for the forcing of Narcissuses to be successful, bulbs with a diameter of 4-5 cm are chosen. They are planted in pots with a nutrient mixture so that their tops are 1-2 cm above the soil.
In November, the pots are transferred to greenhouses with a temperature of 5-9 degrees and an air humidity of 85-90%. This is the best mode for rooting bulbs. After 16-18 days, the bulbs take root. When the height of the sprouts is 5-7 cm, the pots are transferred to greenhouses, the temperature in which is 16-18 degrees, the air humidity is 85-90%. These are the most favorable conditions for forcing Narcissists. After 12-20 days, Narcissuses bloom, during this period they need abundant watering and high humidity in the room.
The forcing of Daffodils can also be carried out in glass vessels: in order for the forcing of Narcissuses to be carried out by the new year, in October the vessel is filled with rain or snow water, on the bottom of which pieces of charcoal sprinkled with sand are placed so that they do not float up. The vessel is covered with a wooden thin circle, in the center of which a hole is cut, equal to the diameter of the bulb.
The bulb is placed in the hole so that its bottom, without touching the water, is 2-3 mm higher than the surface of the water in the vessel. A vessel with an onion is transferred for 1.5-2 months to a cool, dark room, in which the temperature is 9 degrees. This time is enough for a good rooting of the bulbs, forcing Daffodils at home is also done in this way. If necessary, water can be added to the vessel, carefully lifting the circle so as not to damage the formed roots of the plant. Instead of water, you can use a solution of the following composition:
- 1 liter of rain or snow water;
- 1 gram of calcium nitrate;
- 0.25 grams of potassium phosphate;
- 0.25 grams of magnesium sulfate;
- 0.25 grams of potassium chloride;
- 1-2 drops of iron phosphate.
When the plants reach 5-7 cm, they are placed in forcing rooms. Cut the forcing Daffodils when the buds are colored. After the end of flowering and cutting the buds, watering is gradually stopped and until the aerial parts of the plants dry, they are kept at a temperature of 8-10 degrees.
Then the bulbs are removed from the pots, dried in a well-ventilated room at a temperature of 17 degrees and stored in storage at a temperature of 9 degrees until the optimal time for their planting in open ground. It is noticed that after forcing the bulbs of daffodils are very well preserved. This is apparently due to the fact that the storage scales of Narcissus bulbs live up to four years.
The most popular forcing of Narcissus by March 8 and other holidays is made from the following varieties: Golden Harvest, Carlton, Dutch Master - yellow flowers; Beersheba - white flowers; Barrett Browning, Flower Record - white flowers with an orange crown; Cragford, Mercato - white flowers with a yellow crown; Mount Hood - white flowers with a cream tube.
The most common for distillation is the common snowdrop. To do this, its bulbs are dug out of the ridges in July, dried and stored in storage at a temperature of 5-9 degrees. In September, the bulbs are planted in 11 cm pots of 10-15 pieces, sprinkled with fine peat chips on top and placed in greenhouses.
In December (after the rooting of the bulbs), they are set for distillation. They are transferred to greenhouses, the temperature in which is 16-18 degrees, the air humidity is 85-90%. After 25-32 days, Snowdrops bloom and bloom for 10-12 days. During this period, they need abundant watering and maintaining high humidity.
After flowering, watering gradually stops and after the aerial parts of the plants dry, the bulbs are dug up and stored in storage. In spring, snowdrop bulbs are planted in open ground. Secondary use of these bulbs for distillation is not recommended. The distillation of Sternbergia is carried out similarly.
In the "" section, you can also get acquainted with other families of plants that are used in landscaping, that is, they are planted in parks and garden plots, betraying a fertile atmosphere during flowering.
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Includes 65 genera, 900 species.
Spreading: predominantly tropical and subtropical countries. Life Forms: perennial herbaceous plants.
Underground organs: bulbs, rhizome, rarely corms.
Above ground shoots: the stem is represented by a leafless peduncle.
Leaves:
In the root rosette;
simple;
Often the leaves are linear or filiform;
Sessile, rarely petiolate. Venation - arcuate. The leaves are covered with a wax coating. The leaves often contain mucus.
flowers: collected in inflorescences: umbrella, curl or single flowers.
snow galanthus
Pollination: entomophilous (insects - butterflies, bees, bumblebees), ornithophilia (birds), self-pollination is possible.
Fetus: coenocarp (opening box or berry).
Dioscorea nipponica - Dioscorea nipponica
Seed spread: wind goosebumps animals. Meaning.
■ Medicinal.
■ Decorative.
Ungernia Victor - Ungernia Victoris
The life form is a bulbous plant. Medical value (medicinal raw materials) - leaves. The main group of biologically active substances is alkaloids. Pharmacological action - treatment of myasthenia gravis, myopathies, paralysis, hypertension.
Dioscoreal order - Dioscoreales
There are several families.
Family Dioscoreaceae - Dioscoreaceae
Includes 6 genera, 700 species.
Spreading: predominantly in tropical and subtropical countries,
few species enter the temperate region.
Life Forms: perennial herbaceous plants, shrubs, vines.
Underground organs: tubers, roots.
Leaves: simple, rarely complex (triple- and five-fingered).
The leaves are often long-petiolate.
Venation - palmate.
Leaf arrangement: alternate or opposite.
flowers: mostly in inflorescences: brush, ear.
Pollination: entomophilous (insects).
Fetus:
Seed spread: air currents, water.
Meaning.
■ Medicinal.
Ecological significance - decorative.
The life form is a perennial herbaceous dioecious liana.
Medical value (medicinal raw materials) - rhizomes with roots.
Pharmacological action - hypocholesterolemic.
Dioscorea Caucasian - Dioscorea caucasica
Life form - perennial herbaceous
dioecious liana.
Medical value (medicinal raw materials) - rhizomes with roots.
The main group of biologically active substances is steroidal saponins.
Pharmacological action - hypocholesterolemic.
Orchid order - Orchidales
Belongs to 1 family.
Orchid family - Orchidaceae
Includes 750 genera, 25,000 species.
Spreading: everywhere (cosmopolitans), but 90% of the species composition is in tropical countries.
Life Forms: perennial herbaceous plants, creepers, shrubs. Often chlorophyll-free saprophytes. underground organs: rhizomes, tubers, tuber roots.
Above ground shoots: the stem is more often characterized by sympodial growth, but monopodial growth is also found. Leaves: simple, vaginal or amplexica. There are two types of leaves on the shoot: scaly and normal. leaf arrangement: alternate-two-row or opposite. flowers: collected in botryoid inflorescences: ear, brush, panicle, sometimes single flowers.
Pollination: entomophilous (by insects), ornithophilia (by birds), possibly
self-pollination.
Fetus: cenocarp: box or berry.
Seed spread : wind, animals, ants.
Meaning.
■ Medicinal.
■ Food (underground organs of some plants of the genus Orchid).
■ Honey.
Economic value (dyeing for fabrics - yellow color).
Genus Yatryshnik - Orchis
Life form - perennial herbaceous
plant.
medical significance
(medicinal raw materials) - tubers.
The main group of biologically active substances is polysaccharides (mucus).
Pharmachologic effect -
enveloping.
lady's slipper - Cypripedium
The life form is a perennial herbaceous plant. The economic value is decorative.
Lyubka two-leafed (night violet)- Platanthera bifolia
Life form - perennial
herbaceous plant.
Honey.
Food (edible underground parts).
Used in cosmetology (flowers).
Today we are opening a series of articles on plant rarities, as well as species, forms, varieties that are still not very common in summer cottages. Let's start our acquaintance with bulbous and bulbous plants.
Crinum Mura - snow-white beauty, photo by the author
With the visual similarity of underground organs and linear leaves, they are all representatives of different families:
- Amaryllis (Amaryllidaceae);
- Iris (Iridaceae);
Sternbergia yellow - autumn miracle, photo by the author
- Hyacinths (Hyacinthaceae);
- Liliaceae (Liliaceae);
- Onion (Alliaceae);
- Asphodelins (Asphodelaceae);
- Colchicums (Colchicaceae).
Today we will pay attention to rare perennial plants of the Amaryllis family.
amaryllis beautiful
Luxurious view for open ground in the southern regions; critical winter minimum -5 °С (data are given according to the Encyclopedia of garden plants).
Amaryllis is beautiful. Photo from amazon.com. Amaryllis is a beautiful Barberton. Photo from deeproot.co.uk
Amaryllis belladonna originally from South Africa. Height - 60 cm, width - 10 cm. Leaves 22-40 cm long. Funnel-shaped, pink, drooping flowers; bloom in spring or summer.
Amaryllis is a beautiful Cape Town. Photo from deeproot.co.uk Amaryllis beautiful Hathor. Photo courtesy of mainlyamaryllidsgarden.com
Decorative varieties:
- ‘Barberton’ - dark pink flowers;
- ‘Cape Town’ - dark pink-red flowers;
- ‘Hathor’ - white flowers;
- ‘Johannesburg’ - light pink flowers;
- ‘Kimberley’ flowers are carmine pink with a white centre.
Amaryllis is a beautiful Johannesburg. Photo courtesy of gardenersworld.com. Amaryllis is a beautiful Kimberley. Photo from google.ru
For amaryllis, open sunny places with drained fertile soils are selected. They shelter for the winter, when planting in a container, they bring it into the basement.
Gabrantus powerful
This is a relative of Zephyranthes, from which it differs in flowers located at an angle to the peduncle.
Gabranthus powerful, general appearance. Photo from flickriver.com. Bloom. Photo from edensblooms.com
Gabrantus powerful (Habranthus robustus, syn. Zephyranthes robusta) originally from Brazil. Height - 20-30 cm, width - 5 cm. Winter minimum - 0 ° С. Best grown in containers.
Gimenokallis smart
Exotic bulbous plant.
Gimenokallis elegant, general appearance. Photo from cjzonneveld.com. flowers. Photo courtesy of thompson-morgan.com
Elegant hymenocallis (Hymenocallis x festalis)- a hybrid 80 cm high, 30 cm wide, which has already passed the test on the Black Sea coast of the Krasnodar Territory (hereinafter ChPKK), in sunny places with loose drained soil rich in organic matter. In other regions, it is better to grow it in containers (the critical winter minimum is +15 °С). Blooms from late spring.
Hippeastrum hybrid
It can be grown (with shelter) in the open ground of ChPKK and on the Southern Coast of Crimea (hereinafter referred to as the South Coast).
Hippeastrum hybrid outdoors. Photo from the site glav-dacha.ru Hippeastrum hybrid in a flower bed. Photo from vasha-klumba.ru
Hippeastrum hybrid (Hippeastrum x hybridum)- these are dozens of varieties 30-50 cm high and up to 30 cm wide. A large bulb forms a nest of daughters, separating and growing them, they get excellent planting material.
More winter-hardy (winter minimum 0 °С) acraman (H. x acramannii).
Hippeastrum acraman. Photo from s215.photobucket.com
Hippeastrums are undemanding to soils; for planting choose open sunny places.
Zephyranthes
This name hides several types of bulbous plants with different colors of flowers. Fans of indoor floriculture know them as "upstarts", but in the open field they are real rarities that bloom in late summer - early autumn.
Zephyranthes white. Photo courtesy of easytogrowbulbs.com. His drawing. Photo from meemelink.com
Zephyranthes white (Zephyranthes candida) originally from Argentina, Uruguay; height - 10-20 cm, width - 8 cm. Withstands -5 ° C, so in the southern regions it can not be covered, but in the rest it can be grown in containers or well covered with humus, dry leaves.
Zephyranthes lemon, photo by Svetlana (Samdolis)
Z. large-flowered (Z. grandiflora, syn. Z. carinata) originally from Central America.
Zephyranthes large-flowered. Site photo from davesgarden
Height - 20-30 cm, width -5 cm. The flowers are pink, 7 cm long. It is thermophilic, so it is better to grow in containers.
Ixiolirion Tatar
Charming cold handsome!
Ixiolirion Tatar. Photo from en.wikipedia.org. Plant drawing. Photo from en.wikipedia.org
Ixiolirion Tatar (Ixiolirion tataricum, syn. I. montanum, I. pallasii) native to Central and Southwest Asia. Height - 24-40 cm, width - 5 cm. Bright blue flowers bloom in late spring - early summer. In central Russia, it requires shelter (-15 ° C - overwintering ceiling). Propagated by daughter corms in autumn.
Crinum
Several evergreen representatives with large bulbs.
Crinum Mura, photo by the author
Crinum moorei (Crinum moorei)– unpretentious, but thermophilic species: critical winter minimum is 0°C. Height - 90 cm, width - 30 cm, white fragrant flowers 8 cm long; He comes from South Africa. To preserve maximum decorativeness, it is necessary to remove faded flowers in time.
Crinum Powell (Crinum x powellii)- more winter-hardy: with shelter it will survive -15 ° С.
Crinum Powell. Photo courtesy of turn-it-tropical.co.uk. White-flowered form of Alba. Photo from ontheedgegardening.wordpress.com
Height - 1.5 m, width - 30 cm; funnel-shaped pink fragrant flowers up to 10 cm long. Decorative form ‘Alba’ (white flowers). Both types in containers can be grown in the dachas of central Russia.
Krinum Mura in rockeries, photo by the author
A big plus is the long flowering, which continues in the warm autumn.
Licorice golden
Exquisite bulbous plant native to China, Japan. The winter minimum is within -5°C, we have already discussed the possibility of its overwintering: How realistic is the wintering of lycoris in the middle zone?
Licorice golden. Photo from google.ru
Golden lycoris (Lycoris aurea)- up to 60 cm high, 20 cm wide. The flowers are tubular, bright yellow, 10 cm in diameter, collected by 5-6, bloom from late spring - summer. Blooms in a leafless state; preferably an open sunny place with well-drained fertile soils, does not tolerate waterlogging.
Nerina
Unusually graceful autumn-flowering plants.
Nerina Bowden. Photo from google.ru. Its white-flowered form alba. Photo from jparkers.co.uk
Nerine Bowden (Nerine bowdenii) originally from South Africa, but its winter minimum is -15 ° C. Height - 45 cm, width - 8 cm. Pink flowers, 8 cm in diameter. Decorative form f. alba (white flowers).
Nerina twisted (N. flexuosa)- "compatriot" of the previous species with the same parameters and white-flowered form.
Nerina is twisted. Photo courtesy of growsonyou.com. Its white-flowered form is Alba. Photo from dobies.co.uk
Nerins are very interesting for ChPKK and South Coast, in other regions they can be grown in containers. Waterlogging can not stand: the bulbs rot.
Pancratium, or Illyrian pancratium
Still rare "star lily" or "spider lily".
Pancratium Illyrian, photo by the author
Illyrian pancratium (Pancratium illyricum) comes from Corsica, Sardinia. Height - 40 cm, width - 15 cm; white flowers up to 8 cm in diameter, fragrant, bloom in late spring - early summer; when they bloom, they are removed. The winter minimum is 0°C, so it can be recommended for ChPKK and South Coast with fertile loose soils and shelter. Responsive to feeding and watering. Propagated by daughter bulbs.
sternbergia
In the south in October, this beauty suddenly appears from the earth.
Sternbergia yellow, photo by the author
Sternbergia yellow (Sternbergia lutea) grows naturally from Spain to Afghanistan. Height - 15 cm, width - 8 cm.
Sternbergia white. Photo courtesy of pacificbulbsociety.org. Sternbergia Clusius. Photo courtesy of wildflowers.co.il.
More rare sh. snow-white (Sternbergia candida) - the only species with white flowers, w. Clusius (S. clusiana) and others.
Do you have amaryllis rarities growing in your dacha?