Lachenalia is a bulbous perennial plant in the hyacinth family. In the wild, it grows exclusively in South Africa and Namibia. Despite the tropical "residence", the flower loves coolness and requires very close attention. But in winter, a spectacular curiosity is dazzled with bright colors, warming the soul and delighting its owner.
Of more than a hundred species known to science, Lachenalia Aloides is suitable for indoor cultivation, namely its hybrid varieties with improved characteristics. Differs in elongated flowers, similar to bells, inside - filamentous stamens. The palette is always rich, from greenish-yellow to olive, there are also red lachenalia. Inflorescences are racemose. The shape of wide dark green leaves forming a rosette is lanceolate or belt-like, their length is up to 20 cm. Small brown spots are noticeable on the surface.
Home care for lashenalia
Caring for lashenalia is quite difficult, if favorable conditions for growth and development are not provided, the plant is sick. It is undesirable for novice flower growers to take up the cultivation of a culture, because they will have to tinker a lot to achieve the desired result.
Lashenalia does not like abundant watering. The place where it is located must be regularly ventilated. The plant is sensitive to cigarette smoke and other persistent odors.
Location and lighting
The tropical plant adores the sun, but prolonged exposure to direct rays is dangerous. A flowerpot with lashenalia is most often placed on a window facing east or northwest. If this is not possible, the fastidious southerner is artificially shaded with the help of blinds, roller blinds, tracing paper is glued to the glass for drawing.
Temperature
The health of the leaves, the size and quality of the inflorescences depend on the microclimate of the room. In the heat, the bulbous needs coolness, the ideal option is a well-ventilated room with air conditioning.
A temperature of 28 degrees and above can kill lashenalia, if the region is characterized by dry summer months, transplanting into open soil is contraindicated for the plant.
In winter, the proud African "queen" is usually taken out to the insulated loggia, the best temperature for her is 10-12 degrees Celsius, the allowable temperature is 6-8 degrees.
Watering rules
An exotic guest in the growing season reacts equally badly to excess moisture and its lack. Blooming lashenalia is watered carefully, making sure that the top layer of the substrate is dry.
The bulb does not need water at rest. Rare watering should be resumed when young shoots appear, gradually increasing the number of procedures. After each of them, the soil is loosened, preventing the occurrence of putrefactive processes.
Humidity level
The plant prefers a middle ground, significant deviations from the norm will certainly affect its well-being. If it is hot in the room, and you cannot move the pot to another room, spraying from a sprinkler will transform the appearance of the flower, breathing life-giving power into it.Proper care of lashenalia includes regular wiping of each leaf with a damp cloth or sponge.
Fertilization
Fertilizers activate bud formation and leaf growth. A dormant culture does without feeding.
Lasenalia select a composition for decorative flowering plants, it contains enough potassium and phosphorus, but a minimum of nitrogen. The frequency of adding to the substrate is once a week. The dosage indicated by the manufacturer is reduced by one third or even half.
Transfer
Lashenalia transplant is carried out once a year in the fall, changing the flowerpot and soil. The soil is sold by specialized stores, but it is easy to prepare it yourself.
The composition, as a rule, includes the following ingredients:
- coarse sand;
- turf;
- leafy substrate.
The transplant procedure consists of 3 stages:
- choice of container (a shallow plastic product with a diameter of about 15 cm is suitable for growing flowers, with holes in the bottom);
- planting 7-8 bulbs in one pot;
- filling the top layer - drainage (expanded clay, gravel or similar mulch).
Breeding methods lashenalia
Lachenalia propagates using daughter bulbs, which can be separated from each other during plant transplantation. Planting bulbs should be carried out in the autumn. Plant in soil to a depth of no more than 2 cm.
Plants grown from small bulbs bloom violently already in the second year of life. The tropical miracle also propagates by seeds, they are immersed in the soil (sand) by 2-3 mm. Convenient packaging - low container.
