Ipheion is a flowering bulbous plant from the lily family, native to the tropical and subtropical regions of South America. This culture is not frost-resistant due to its origin, therefore, it can be grown in garden plots only in regions with a warm climate. But as a houseplant, ifaeon feels great.
The distinctive features of this plant are narrow and long leaves of a dark green hue with a slight sheen and a peculiar garlic smell, which is felt when rubbed with fingers. Depending on the variety, the ifeion blooms with six-petal flowers - asterisks of white, pink, blue or purple, which also differ in size. The height of the herbaceous plant is from 15 to 20 cm.
The bulbous culture has about 25 different species, but in the backyard and garden plots, various varieties of the one-flowered Ifeion are most often grown. The most popular are Charlotte Bishop, Album, Wisley Blue, Jesse and White Star.
Ifeion care at home
At home, you can grow several copies of Ifeion in one container at once. Such a multi-bulb planting will make it possible to enjoy flowering for a month and a half or more. On average, one bulb can produce from 3 to 5 peduncles during the entire flowering period.
Location and lighting
Ifeion prefers bright sunny lighting, so the growing area should be located on the south side of the house on a windowsill with sufficient light. During short daylight hours, additional lighting with daylight fixtures will be required.
Watering
Watering ifeion is moderate, but regular. Irrigation water can be of any hardness. Before the next watering, the soil surface should dry out slightly.
The soil
It is recommended to purchase planting material in the last summer weeks, when the dormant period for the ifeion ends. A good time for planting bulbs is the beginning of autumn. When storing planting material for a long time, due to drying out, the percentage of germination and the quality of the future plant decrease.
The soil should be two-thirds leafy humus. The bottom of the flowerpot should be covered with a drainage layer. The depth of planting of the bulbs is 4-5 cm. Immediately after planting, watering is carried out with warm irrigation water.
Top dressing and fertilizers
Fertilizers are applied only before the beginning of the flowering period. Starting from the end of February, it is recommended to feed the plants 2-3 times with special dressings for flowering indoor plants.
Dormant period
After the end of flowering and drying of the leafy part, watering should be stopped until the end of summer, since the ifeion begins a dormant period. To provide the bulbs with the necessary moisture, lightly spray the surface of the soil mixture in the flower pot with water.
It is recommended to prune dry leaves and shoots.For the entire dormant period, the plant must be placed in a dark, cool room, and with the arrival of the first autumn days, it can be returned to its original place and watering can begin.
Reproduction of ifaeon
The most common ways to propagate ifheon are by seed and by dividing the bulbs. The bulbs are divided and replanted every 3 years. Daughter bulbs bloom for the second year. Ifeion seeds ripen in about a month and a half after the beginning of flowering. Bulbs grown from them bloom only in the third year.
How to grow ifeion outdoors
The growing area must be protected from drafts and strong gusts of wind, and sunlight and light drained soil on the site are an essential condition for the full development of a tropical culture. The distance between plantings is about 8 cm, the depth of the planting hole is 5-6 cm.
The main care consists in regular feeding and watering during the growing season and during the flowering period. Moderate watering is only necessary before the dormant period begins. Complex mineral fertilizers for flowering plants are considered the most suitable food for this indoor flower. Enough 2-3 dressings. The most favorable time for planting bulbs is late August and early September.
Preparing the ifaeon for the winter period means providing it with a reliable and warm cover (in the form of non-woven material), which will protect the plant from freezing temperatures.
The flowering plant Ifeion, which is not yet very common in our country, can try to grow each without much hassle and a lot of time to leave.
