Gemantus

Hemantus (Haemanthus) is an ornamental plant from the Amaryllis family. The genus combines about 40 different species that live in the southern part of the African continent.

The name of the hemantus is associated with the color of the inflorescences of its main variety. Translated, it means "bloody flower" and symbolizes their red color. At the same time, white-blooming species are especially popular in home floriculture. Gemantus has many other, no less amazing names. These plants can also be called "deer tongue" or "elephant ear" due to the shape and arrangement of the leaves.

Description of Hemantus

Gemantus develop from bulbs up to 12 cm in size. They are egg-shaped or pear-shaped, and sometimes flattened on the sides. Such an onion forms several belt-like leaves with rounded ends. Green leaf blades appear in pairs. Moreover, each such pair can grow in an arbitrary direction, asymmetrical to the previous one. In one season, only one pair can form, and their total number on one plant can reach up to 3. The leaf blades can have a glossy surface, be slightly pubescent or slightly sticky. Foliage and peduncles that form later reach 20 cm in length. Several plant species are considered succulents.

Hemantus flower stalks appear in the second half of summer. During this period, an umbrella inflorescence is formed on them, which is a spherical bundle of small flowers with long stamens, creating the effect of a single, large and fluffy flower. The inflorescence is framed by 4 bracts. Their color is orange, white or red and completely coincides with the color of the stamens. The color palette depends on the type of plant. But the external decorativeness of the "flower" is complemented by a not very pleasant aroma that appears when nectar is released and pollen is formed. Flowering can last until October. After it, fruits are formed on the plant in the form of small reddish berries. They can be used for propagation of the bush, but the germination capacity of the black seeds contained in the fruits is lost very quickly.

The popularity of the white-flowered hemantus in home floriculture is associated with the peculiarities of the development of plants of this species. Unlike other amaryllis, they are considered evergreen and do not lose their visual appeal in winter. Other species rest at this time and shed their foliage.

Brief rules for growing hemantus

The table shows brief rules for caring for hemantus at home.

Hemantus bulbs contain poisonous substances. Work with the plant should be done with gloves.

Hemantus care at home

Gemantus is one of the unpretentious flowers and does not require careful home care. By its undemanding nature, it can be compared to persistent succulents. The flower will also not need pruning. From it you only need to remove dry dead foliage.

Lighting

The hemantus flower can grow both in light partial shade and in the scattered sun. This will not affect its decorative effect. Evergreen varieties are considered more shade-tolerant, but they cannot be left completely without the sun. Usually hemantus is kept in the northeast, east or west windows. If a place for a pot with a plant was found only on the south side, it will have to be shaded in the afternoon.

Direct rays of light on foliage can leave burns on it, and then lead to the death of the leaf blade.

Temperature

The optimum temperature for the growth of hemantus is about 18-22 degrees; in general, the bushes will be satisfied with the usual room temperature, subject to frequent ventilation. Strong temperature changes or drafts should be avoided.

The white-flowered variety does not rest so much in winter, but simply slows down its growth. You can move such a flower to a room where it keeps about 14-16 degrees, or leave it in the same place. It is important that the temperature does not drop below 10 degrees.

Varieties and species that shed their foliage should be transferred to an even cooler place at this time, where they keep about 14 degrees. Unlit corners will do as well. Without a cool winter in the next season, some plants may not form a peduncle. As a rule, the resting time for hemantus lasts from mid-autumn to February, but sometimes falls in the summer. If this happens, the pot with the onion should simply be moved to a shady place.

In summer, flowers can be taken outside, choosing a corner for them, where cold air currents or direct rays of the sun do not fall. Certain types of hemantus are recommended to be grown only in a garden.

Watering

The earth in the container must be moistened as soon as the lump dries out by about half. The plant tolerates a brief drought well, but the soil lump should not be completely overdried. In conditions of constantly dry soil, the bulbs will begin to dry out, and the flowers will fade faster.

For watering hemantus, slightly warm water, filtered, melted or simply settled, is suitable. At the same time, stagnation of moisture in the soil should not be allowed: it can provoke rotting of the bulb. The water from the sump should also be drained.

Deciduous species begin to water less frequently in the fall. With the onset of a dormant period lasting about 2 months, such hemantus are not watered at all.The foliage should be removed from them only after it is completely dry. The rest of the time, the bulb draws nutrients from it. Evergreen species continue to water, but they do it less often, trying to prevent the soil from completely drying out. Full watering begins to resume when the first leaves or peduncles appear on the bulb.

Humidity level

Gemantus easily tolerates low air humidity and does not need to moisten foliage, even if it is standing next to a battery. But as it gets dirty, its leaves should be cleaned of dust by wiping with a damp cloth or sponge.

If the bulb is dormant during a hot summer, it can be lightly sprayed weekly to protect it from drying out. Watering is not carried out.

The soil

Hemantus soil can be purchased at a special store, but you can prepare it yourself. The optimal composition of the soil mixture: 2 parts of turf, 1 part of leaf land, 1 part of sand and peat, 0.5 part of humus.

Top dressing

Organic matter should not be used for hemantus - the plant does not like such feeding. Preferred are mineral supplements containing potassium and phosphorus, or special formulations for bulbous. They are brought in at the beginning of the growth period, maintaining breaks of 2 or 3 weeks. In this case, the recommended concentration should be reduced by half. During rest, the bulb is not fed.

Transfer

Due to the slow growth rate, the adult hemantus does not need frequent transplants. It is moved to a new container about every 3 or 5 years. The need for transplantation can be judged by the state of the root system. If she begins to be seen in the drainage holes, it's time to divide the bush. This period is often combined with the separation of the daughter bulbs from the main plant. The beginning of spring is best suited for transplantation, it is at this time that the hemantus begins to develop and takes root faster.

A low and wide container is ideal for growing a "deer tongue". It is filled with soil, including turf, humus, leafy soil and sand. A drainage layer must be laid on the bottom, which can protect the bulb from possible overflow and stagnation of moisture.

When moving, the roots try to disturb as little as possible. If a break occurs, the sections should be processed. When planting, the hemantus bulb should not be buried too deep. It is immersed in the ground by only a third. Several flowers can be planted in one pot at once. This will produce a lush and beautiful overall shrub. But about 5 cm should remain from the edge of the pot to the bulbs. In a larger pot, the onions may start to rot.

If a salt deposit has formed on the soil, you can not transplant the bush unnecessarily, but only replace the upper part of the soil in the container.

Pruning

Gemantus does not need formative pruning. But it is recommended to remove all dried leaves. This should be done in late autumn, before the onset of the dormant period.

Dormant period

There is no pronounced rest period, in winter the hemantus slows down its growth. At this time, the plant needs a low temperature of 16-18 degrees and extremely rare watering.

Bloom

Hemantus bloom begins immediately after a dormant period. However, it is important to keep the plant cool in winter. Otherwise, the flowers cannot be seen.

Reproduction methods of hemantus

Reproduction by children

The easiest way to propagate the hemantus is with the help of its daughter bulbs. Their separation is combined with a transplant, moving the children into separate pots. In this case, only overgrown bushes should be divided. Only those bulbs that have their own roots and foliage are subject to separation.

These babies take root very quickly. Such a hemantus begins to bloom approximately 3-4 years after separation. Young bulbs need special maintenance during the dormant period. They need a little more moisture than adult plants, so you cannot overdry the potted substrate too much. This applies to both babies and seed-derived bulbs.

Propagation by leaf cuttings

Cutting is a slightly more difficult way to propagate Hemantus. This will require an adult leaf blade of the flower along with the base. After its separation, the cut is sprinkled with crushed coal and left to dry for a day. Then the leaf is planted in a peat-sand mixture, put in a warm place and regularly watered lightly. When the cutting is rooted, it is moved into a container filled with soil suitable for an adult plant. The hemantus obtained in this way will also bloom after 3-4 years.

Growing from seeds

Due to the fact that the seeds of the hemantus lose their germination too quickly, this method of propagation is especially rarely used at home. To get seed, you need two copies of plants of the same species. Their flowers are pollinated with a brush. The seeds are recommended to be sown immediately after the fruits ripen. Their shelf life at temperatures up to 5 degrees is about a couple of months.

Seeds are spread on the surface of a moist substrate, without sprinkling on top. Due to the fact that the plant does not like transplants, you can sow them immediately into individual containers up to 10 cm wide and no more than 12 cm high. There must be a large drainage hole at the bottom of the pot. Top crops are covered with a bag or glass. If germination is successful, such hemantus will be able to bloom in about 5-6 years.

To be sure to preserve the seedlings, they should not be disturbed for the first few years. Such plants are not transplanted, and they also try not to rearrange or even turn the pot unnecessarily. For the first 1.5 years in the autumn-winter period, you can keep young plants under the lamps. After that, you can begin to care for them as for the formed bushes.

Pests and diseases of hemantus

Major diseases

Gemantus is quite resistant to the development of many diseases, but improper care can weaken the plant's immunity.

Usually hemantus suffer from waterlogging of the soil. This can lead to the development of bulb rot or fungal diseases. If the bulb begins to rot, you can try to save it by processing it in potassium permanganate and moving it to fresh soil.

Sometimes hemantus can be affected by red rot (staganosporosis), a disease characteristic of amaryllis or hippeastrum. In this case, the leaves of the plant are covered with spots or reddish stripes. The affected areas must be removed, and then the bush must be treated with an antifungal agent containing copper (copper sulfate, Bordeaux mixture, etc.). After processing, the container with the plant is moved under diffused light, and the irrigation regime is adjusted.

The lack of flowering can be attributed to the problems with the cultivation of hemantus. Peduncles do not appear for several reasons. During the growing season, the plant could suffer from a lack of moisture or light, or the conditions for keeping a deciduous flower during the dormant period were violated. This time, such hemantus should be kept cool and without watering.

Pests

Gemantus can suffer from an invasion of scale insects or spider mites. Usually, these insects appear in the summer heat.

Scabbards hide from the seamy side of the leaf plates or in their sinuses. Pests are removed by hand using a cotton swab dipped in soapy water or alcohol. After that, the bush must be rinsed under a stream of warm water and wait until it dries completely. To prevent the return of pests, it is then treated with an insecticide.

Spider mites can be recognized by small specks on foliage and characteristic spider webs. A large number of pests appear in dark spots and yellowing foliage. Ticks should be fought with acaricidal drugs.

Aphids and thrips can deform the aerial part of the plant.

Types and varieties of hemantus with photos and names

The most famous in home floriculture are two varieties of hemantus: white-flowered and scarlet. At the same time, the name "hemantus" is sometimes used to refer to scadoxus.They also belong to the Amaryllis family and are closely related to the "deer tongue". Such plants have similar inflorescences, "caps" and can be grown at home under similar conditions.

White-flowered Gemantus (Haemanthus albiflos)

Evergreen species with thick and smooth leaf blades. The foliage is up to 10 cm wide and up to 20 cm long. Usually, one bush has two pairs of leaves at the same time. A row of thin cilia is located along the edges of each leaf. A large thick peduncle is 25 cm in size. At its top, an umbrella inflorescence is formed, on which a ball of white stamens with yellowish anther tips opens. The perianth is practically absent.

The species is considered one of the most unpretentious. Among the most famous varieties - "Prince Albert". This hybrid is distinguished by especially large inflorescences and their unusual orange color.

Scarlet Hemantus (Haemanthus coccineus)

The leaves of this species reach half a meter in height and have reddish tops. Forms greenish-spotted arrow-peduncles, on which red inflorescences with yellow anthers are located. Perianths are impressive in size.

But at home, such a plant does not bloom every year. As a rule, flowers form on it closer to autumn and last for a relatively short time.

Hemantus Linden (Haemanthus lindenii)

The species forms two rows of leaf blades. The foliage is distinguished by pronounced longitudinal folds in the region of the central vein. The size of the peduncles reaches half a meter. The diameter of the inflorescences reaches 20 cm. They are bright red openwork umbrellas.

Such a hemantus is usually grown in the garden, not at home.

Hemantus snow-white (Haemanthus candidus)

The species is in many ways reminiscent of the white-flowered hemantus, but has its own characteristics. Peduncles and foliage underside is covered with a small downy.

Tiger Gemantus (Haemanthus tigrinus)

The species was bred by breeders. Differs in foliage, decorated with brownish specks. The size of each plate reaches 45 cm. Peduncles are small - only up to 15 cm high. Large red inflorescences are formed on them.

Hemantus pomegranate (Haemanthus puniceus)

The species has leathery leaves with a wavy edge. Forms inflorescences about 10 cm in diameter. Their color is red.

Hemantus multiflorus (Haemanthus multiflorus)

It has veiny foliage. Inflorescences are located on high arrows and have a red-burgundy or pinkish tint.

Hemantus Katharinae (Haemanthus Katharinae)

A common variety. Forms a false stem up to 15 cm high, on which long and very thin leaves are attached. Flowering falls at the end of August, at this time openwork red inflorescences of impressive sizes are formed on the bush.