Hymenocallis (Hymenocallis) was brought to European countries almost two hundred years ago, Latin America is considered its homeland. The flower grows in the wild in hard-to-reach areas and therefore has not been studied enough by professional growers. It differs from other similar plants from the Amaryllis family of hymenokallis in an unusual shape of leaves and delicate white flowers with a unique aroma. Among the numerous species, the most popular is the Caribbean hymenokallis, which can be found in the Antilles, but the coastal, Pleasant, and Shirokolistny hymenokallis are also known.
Planting hymenokallis
Hymenokallis takes root well both outdoors and at home in an ordinary flower pot. The flower is considered unpretentious, as it can grow in almost any weather (during the warm season).
Growing hymenokallis in a pot
When growing hymenokallis in a pot indoors, you must follow some of the recommendations of experienced florists:
- In October - November, the number of waterings should be gradually reduced, preparing the plant for a dormant period, which will last about 3 months.
- After dropping the foliage in the autumn, it is recommended to immediately transfer the flower to a cool, dark room with a temperature of 10 to 12 degrees and leave it there without watering until the end of February.
- In the last week of February, hymenokallis is returned to a warm, bright room and watering begins with minimal volumes, gradually bringing to normal; leaf formation will begin in about a month.
Growing hymenokallis in the open field
Before planting hymenokallis bulbs in open ground, they must be allowed to germinate. This will require planting boxes or individual pots (small plastic cups can be used) with drainage holes and a soil mixture consisting of peat and wood shavings. The bulbs are placed in prepared containers with soil to a depth of about 5 cm for about 15-20 days. Favorable temperature - no more than 15 degrees Celsius.
Sprouted bulbs are recommended to be planted on flower beds in early May, when the weather is warm and the soil warms up well. The site should be chosen sunny, with the longest lighting during the day.
It is necessary to control the amount of irrigation water, since a lack of moisture in the soil will lead to a delay in flowering, and an excess will lead to rotting of the root part of the plant. You can dig small grooves next to the flowers and water them in them.
The introduction of mineral dressings is carried out during the growing season in an amount of 3-4 times. But humus and manure as fertilizer is undesirable, as it can harm the plant.
Hymenokallis care at home
Location and lighting
Lighting is essential for the development of hymenocallis, so it should be bright, abundant and long lasting. A window sill located on the south side of the house is best suited for this. In the summer, the plant will feel favorably outdoors (in the front garden or on the balcony), and in the autumn-winter period it is necessary to use additional lighting. Fluorescent lamps will be able to make up for the lack of lighting on short daylight hours.
Temperature
During the growing season, hymenokallis is grown at a temperature of 18 to 21 degrees Celsius, and after flowering, it is necessary to create cooler temperature conditions for the plant (from 5 to 15 degrees Celsius). Planting material should be stored at 9-10 degrees above zero.
Watering
For watering hymenokallis, you need to use only settled water and the next watering should be carried out only after a little drying of the upper layer of the soil mixture in a pot with a plant. The earthen coma should not be allowed to dry out, because this will affect the decorative qualities of the plant. The leaves will lose their softness and begin to wilt.
Watering should be carried out regularly, but in moderate amounts, and after flowering it is recommended to reduce them by half.
Top dressing and fertilizers
During the period of active growth and development of indoor hymenokallis, it is recommended to apply top dressing every 7-10 days, and during the rest period, one top dressing per month is enough.
Transfer
Hymenokallis is transplanted only during the dormant period of the indoor flower, that is, in the autumn-winter months. The plant needs to be watered abundantly, allow time for the water to saturate the soil and carefully remove the flower from the pot. Clean the bulb of soil, inspect and, if necessary, cut off the rotten parts, and treat the cut points with activated carbon.
The new container must be one size larger than the previous one. The bottom is covered with expanded clay, and then filled with a loose and nutritious substrate.
Reproduction of hymenokallis
For further reproduction of the indoor hymenocallis flower, newly formed young bulbs around the main one are used, which will appear about 3-4 years after planting.
Diseases and pests
Diseases in this indoor flower most often occur due to improper care. This may be a lack or excess of moisture, fertilizers, lighting and the wrong temperature regime.
Anthracnose is a disease that occurs when the room temperature is elevated and excessive humidity is present. Black dots and small brown spots are formed on the leafy part. It is necessary to remove all diseased leaves, normalize the temperature conditions, reduce the amount of irrigation water and reduce the frequency of watering, and also treat the flower with a fungicide.
Staganospore - appears on the plant in the form of reddish dots and specks on the leaves. It is necessary to spray using a foundation (approximately 4-5 grams per 2 liters of water).
Difficulty growing hymenocallis
- When yellow blotches appear on the leaves, it is necessary to reduce the lighting, if possible, rearrange the plant to another place.
- With wilting and pallor of the leafy part of the plant, it is necessary to increase the amount of irrigation water during irrigation and increase the humidity of the air.
Hymenokallis will delight with delicate flowering and pleasant aroma only when favorable conditions are created for it.
Popular types of hymenokallis
Hymenocallis caribbean (Hymenocallis caribaea) - bulbous culture with large inflorescences of 6-12 flowers. The period of active flowering is the winter months.
Hymenocallis coastal (Hymenocallis littoralis) - a plant with straight peduncles and flowers, very similar to daffodils. It differs from other types of leaves of an unusual shade - dark green with wide gray stripes.
Hymenocallis pleasant (Hymenocallis festalis) - a culture with large emerald-colored leaves (on average 7 cm wide and about 40 cm long). Flowering occurs twice a year - in mid-summer and early autumn.
Hymenocallis broadleaf (Hymenocallis latifolia) - bulbous herb with delicate flowers, reaches a height of almost 1 meter. The wide leaves have a pleasant dark emerald hue.
