Tricyrtis is a flowering perennial that belongs to the Liliaceae family and grows in Japan or at the foot of the Himalayas. The genus has about two dozen varieties. Certain species can be found in garden plots as cultural landscapers. The most popular tricyrtis variety is the “garden orchid”. The word comes from the ancient Greek language and in translation means "three tubercles". In the people, the plant is often called the "toad lily". This is due to the fact that the inhabitants of the Philippines have learned to rub herbal juice into the skin, thus luring frogs, which they gladly eat. The culture gained fame in the 20th century, then began to spread to different parts of Europe and Asia.
Characteristics of the tricyrtis flower
The tricyrtis plant has a short thickened rhizome with a network of branches of erect shoots and sessile leaves arranged in regular order. In some species, ovoid leaves are found and are covered with small spots. The wide buds of tricyrtis are colored in a delicate cream, or white, or yellowish tint. They can be solid or spotted. Flowers gather in bunches, grow singly from the axils of the leaf blades, or climb to the tops of the stems. Near the perianth, one layer of outer leaves blooms, containing short spurs, called the nectary. Tricyrtis bear fruit in oblong capsules filled with dark grains.
Planting tricyrtis in the open field
When to plant tricirtis
Freshly harvested seeds are used for sowing. The optimal time for planting tricyrtis in the ground falls in the fall. Before proceeding with spring sowing, you will have to stratify the seed material. The process of winter stratification is carried out in wooden boxes, which are stored in a cold dark place for 1.5-2 months.
More experienced gardeners have learned how to propagate perennials by a vegetative method, which also does not cause difficulties if you follow the instructions and planting rules.
How to plant tricirtis
Tricyrtis grow well in areas hidden in the shade cast by the crown of garden trees. The soil should be fertile with an admixture of peat, humus and forest land. Chernozems will provide the flower with the necessary amount of nutrients and create optimal conditions for the growth of perennials.
The location of the future flower bed should be protected and hidden from the slightest drafts.
The plant does not like excess moisture and cold wind. Tricyrtis cultivars, in which flowering occurs with a delay, require light.For this reason, it is better to avoid corners in the garden where autumn twilight sets in faster, since the buds will not be able to fully form.
Planting depth of tricyrtis seeds - no more than 3 mm. The sown area needs watering. Flowering is observed only in biennial or three-year-old seedlings.
Caring for tricirtis in the garden
Planting and caring for tricirtis is quite simple, even a novice gardener can handle it. Tricyrtis, like many flowering perennials, do not make any special claims to cultivation. They are easy to care for, if you do not make the mistake of choosing the wrong place for planting a flower bed. Taking care of a plant means regularly watering, feeding, weeding and loosening the soil around it, as well as removing diseased and dried flowers in time, which only clog the flower bed and make it unattractive.
Watering and feeding
These representatives of Liliaceae are resistant to dry weather, but they feel the lack of moisture very sharply. Water for irrigation is taken only with settled, warm. Watering tricyrtis should be root, so that the leaves and stems do not get burned. When the water saturates the soil, the planting site is loosened and weeds are removed. Moisture will be better preserved if the site is mulched with organic materials. It is allowed to use compost and humus as mulch. The mulched soil does not overheat, and the plant will receive the required amount of nutrients. Weed growth is drowned out by a layer of mulch, so you can save time on weeding.
The perennial responds gratefully to any type of dressing - organic matter and mineral compositions. As for fresh, not rotted manure, you should refrain from using it. Such fertilization will not bring any benefit to the plant.
Reproduction and transplantation
Tricyrtis bushes do not need to be transplanted frequently. Well-groomed and well-fed flower beds bloom stably and grow in the same place for a long time. When preparing a new plot for growing tricyrtis, they choose a soil with an acidic environment, enriched with peat and organic fertilizing.
In parallel with planting activities, they are dividing the bushes. Thanks to this, it is possible to carry out reproduction in parallel. Tricirtis is dug up and shaken off the ground, removing dried and rotten roots. The bush is divided equally or into several identical parts, leaving healthy roots and shoots in each of them. The cut sites are rubbed with charcoal to prevent contamination. Divided seedlings are placed in the dug holes. The prepared substrate is poured around and the surface is lightly tamped. The site is watered abundantly so that the roots quickly take root in a new place.
Wintering of tricyrtis
In areas where a harsh winter climate and lingering frosts prevail, plantings are covered with agrofibre and a peat layer.
A perennial growing in warm southern latitudes does not need any artificial shelter.
The only threat is unexpected frost, which can kill flowers or affect growth and development. In regions with snowless winters, it is better not to risk it and arrange wintering for the bushes to the fullest, wrapped in spruce branches or burlap.
Diseases and pests of tricyrtis
A dense and heavy substrate, along with excessive waterlogging, is the cause of the development of diseases. Stagnation of moisture in the root part leads to the formation of gray mold bacteria. For preventive purposes, before planting, the land is mixed with sand and they try to observe a moderate irrigation regime.
The most dangerous pests for the flower are gastropods, which leave a sticky bloom on the leaf plates and make holes. The collection of insects is carried out manually. An effective remedy in the fight against pests of this kind is eggshells or shredded tree bark. They are scattered around the bushes so that slugs and snails cannot reach the main stem.
Types and varieties of tricirtis with a photo
Varietal and species tricyrtis are used for cultivation. Let us dwell in more detail on the most famous names that are found on garden plots in our regions.
Tricyrtis Taiwanese (Tricyrtis formosana)
Or tricyrtis formosa is a tall, branched bush with ovoid leaf blades covered with brown spots. The buds are white or pinkish in color, there are small red-brown specks on the petals.
Tricyrtis yellow (Tricyrtis flava)
It grows in the highlands of Japanese forests. The surface of the shoots is hairy to the touch. The length of the stems is 25-50 cm, depending on the maturity of the bush. Yellow-colored inflorescences are collected at the top. Most of the representatives of this genus are characterized by a uniform color, but species with spotted buds come across. Such a culture is rarely seen in our area.
Hairy tricyrtis (Tricyrtis pilosa = Tricyrtis maculata = Tricyrtis elegance)
It is located at the foot of the Himalayas or climbs high into the mountains, where it also feels great in the sun. The height of the stems does not exceed 70 cm. The leaves are wide, the lower surface is slightly pubescent. The flowers, strewn with dark purple spots, join together at the top of the bush and form inflorescences.
Long-legged tricyrtis (Tricyrtis macropoda)
The areola of tricyrtis long-legged growth covers the territory of the subtropical regions of China and Japan. The length of the stems is about 40-70 cm. The upper part of the shoots has a short nap. The leaves are elongated, arranged in the next order. When blooming, the buds exude a pleasant smell. The color of the flowers is white with purple dots. Inflorescences are formed both terminal and axillary. Long pedicels look special because they noticeably exceed the size of the flowers.
Tricyrtis broadleaf (Tricyrtis latifolia)
The plant comes from the forest belt of China and the Japanese islands. The height of the bushes is usually within 60 cm. Greens and buds are spotty, like many varieties of tricyrtis. The only important difference is early flowering.
Tricyrtis short-haired (Tricyrtis hirta)
The flower began to spread from the subtropical corners of Japan. The highest plantings of this perennial, as a rule, do not exceed 80 cm. Stems and leaves are covered with a layer of thick pile. The shape of the leaves is ellipsoidal. The upper layer of leaf blades is stalk-enveloping. White buds with small specks bloom on the crown and form inside the axillary part. There are several species modifications of the genus under consideration:
- tricirtis Masamuna, which has no signs of hairiness;
- black tricyrtis is distinguished by early flowering, its buds are white with black spots;
Tricyrtis hybrids are considered no less popular in garden culture. We are talking primarily about tricirtis Dark Beauty, Raspberry Mousse, Blue Haven, Purple Beauty, Mayazaki, White Towers, Kohaku, Milky Way Galaxy and other attractive forms. Hybrid varieties will be an excellent decoration for any flower bed, and the non-standard flower color will stand out against the background of other herbaceous perennials.
