Albuca (Albuca) is a representative of herbaceous plants, belongs to the Asparagus family. The place of origin of this exotic plant is considered the territory of South Africa. The albuca got its name from its unusual ability to throw out beautiful white flowers on a long peduncle.
Spiral albuka belongs to perennial succulent plants. She is a representative of the bulbous. The bulb is white, round and slightly flattened, with a diameter of about 5 cm.
Leaves are collected at the base of the bulb in a socket, 15-20 pieces on each plant. The length of the leaf is no more than 30-35 cm. The leaves are green, fleshy, at the ends rolled into a tight spiral. The plant got such an unusual shape of the leaves due to its ability to retain moisture in hot weather. It is due to the shape of the spiral that moisture practically does not evaporate from the surface of the sheet.
Peduncle of a gray shade, with dense pulp to the touch, in length - about 60 cm. Flowers are collected in a brush, 10-20 pieces each. The diameter of the flower is about 3 cm, it is located on a peduncle up to 4 cm long. The structure of the flower is also unusual. Petals with a yellow edging and a green stripe. Not all types of albuca are endowed with fragrant flowers. But those that smell have a unique aroma of creamy vanilla. After flowering, each flower forms a capsule containing shiny and black seeds.
Caring for an albuka at home
Location and lighting
Since the homeland is South Africa, the plant belongs to the light-loving species. In order for the albuka to actively grow and develop, as well as to please with its flowering, it must be located in the brightest place in the room.
Temperature
Albuka loves a fairly high ambient temperature. In summer she feels good at 25-28 degrees, and in winter - at 13-15 degrees. Peduncles appear due to night and day temperature changes. In late November and early December, it is necessary to reduce the temperature to 10-15 degrees during the day, and at night - no more than 6-10 degrees.
Watering
During the period of active growth, development and flowering, the albuka needs abundant watering, but only on the condition that the earthen lump is completely dry. The plant has a well-defined dormant period in which it is with drooping leaves. By this period, the flower is prepared gradually, watering is reduced and with its onset it is completely stopped until spring.
Top dressing and fertilizers
Albuca needs regular fertilization during the growing season. A complex mineral supplement for succulents, diluted with water in proportion according to the instructions, will be optimal.
Transfer
Albuka is transplanted in the fall, when the dormant period ends. A light soil containing a large amount of coarse sand is suitable for it. The bottom of the pot should contain a generous drainage layer.
Flowering and dormant period
Albuca begins to bloom in spring, in April-May. Flowering lasts about 10 weeks. After the end of flowering, feeding is stopped, and watering is also reduced until the leaves droop, then it is stopped altogether. The onion pot is kept at room temperature.At the end of autumn, the bulb is transplanted into a new nutrient soil, watering is resumed and placed in a brightly lit place, temperature drops are achieved and a new spring bloom is awaited.
Reproduction of albuka
Albuka can reproduce in one of the following ways: by seeds or baby bulbs.
The seeds are planted on a special soil for succulent plants, the container is covered with film or glass and left on a brightly lit windowsill at a temperature of about 26-28 degrees. The greenhouse is periodically moistened and ventilated. Stagnation of moisture in the soil must not be allowed, otherwise the seedlings may rot. The first shoots can be observed after 14 days. At first, the leaves grow straight, and after a few months they begin to curl, subject to bright light. The blooming of the albuka grown from seeds can be seen already in the third year.
During vegetative propagation by baby bulbs, they are separated from the mother bulb in the fall when transplanted into a new substrate. The bulbs must be planted in separate small pots with a diameter of about 7-8 cm. With this method of reproduction of the albuka, all valuable varietal characteristics, such as the color of flowers and their aroma, and swirling leaves, are preserved.
