Veltheimia is an exotic flowering bulbous plant from South Africa, belonging to the Liliaceae family and attracting the attention of gardeners and florists for its unique bright appearance and high decorativeness. The culture that came to our region from the hot climate has adapted to the new living conditions and feels great on the garden plot and as an indoor flower. In warmer regions, the southern beauty can hibernate in the open field, but she will need a reliable shelter. In cold areas with severe frosts and long winters, Weltheimia can only be seen indoors. A place for growing African culture can be a winter garden or balcony, a greenhouse or a terrace, a windowsill or a loggia. In any place, she will not leave anyone indifferent and will attract attention with her southern charm.
Individual features of weltheimia are wide bright green lanceolate leaves (about 30 centimeters long), collected in a rosette and resembling dandelion leaves, tall powerful peduncles with a smooth surface, bizarre inflorescences in the form of a brush or spikelet of a large number of tubular flowers of pink, white, purple, dirty yellow, reddish and lilac shades and fruit-boxes. The root system consists of large bulbs (more than 7 centimeters in diameter), the surface of which is covered with pink scales. The average height of a perennial is 40-50 centimeters.
Weltheimia care at home
Location and lighting
When choosing a place, it must be borne in mind that the bulbous perennial Veltheimia does not tolerate cold drafts and reacts negatively to them. Unpretentiousness to the level of humidity and pollution allows you to grow Veltheimia even in the kitchen.
Both outdoors and indoors, the southern Weltheimia plant needs bright sunlight. With a lack of light, the flower loses its decorative effect. A sufficient amount of light and heat can be received by the weltheimia on the windowsills on the south or east side of the dwelling, as well as on glazed loggias, terraces and balconies.
Landing Weltheimia
The special flower Veltheimia is not planted like most plants in spring, it is recommended to plant it in late summer or at the very beginning of autumn.
The volume of the flower pot depends on the size of the bulb. Its diameter should be 2 times larger than the diameter of the planting material.
It is recommended to plant the bulb in the ground so that its upper part is flush with the soil surface in the pot.
Temperature
For the full development and growth of weltheimia, a stable temperature is required - from 10 to 20 degrees Celsius. When the temperature drops below 10 degrees, the flower will react negatively, since it is not very hardy and unstable to cold.Interestingly, the flowering period of Weltheimia can only begin in cool conditions at a temperature of 14-15 degrees.
Watering
Bulbous crops and weltheimia, among them, have a negative attitude towards water spraying, but irrigation should be carried out regularly in moderate amounts. After the appearance of peduncles, the frequency of watering and the volume of irrigation water must be increased, since the plant is actively preparing for flowering. After its end, when the leaves begin to turn yellow, watering can be stopped completely until next September.
Air humidity
The humidity level is not very important for a indoor flower, so it can be grown in any room.
The soil
The optimal soil composition for growing Weltheimia is a mixture of leafy soil, turf and coarse river sand. All components must be taken in equal quantities. The plant thrives on fertile soils with a high content of compost, but does not like mineral supplements.
Top dressing and fertilizers
Complex feeding of Weltheimia is required only during the period of active growth, especially when peduncles appear. It is recommended to use liquid fertilizers.
The "bracts" species can be grown in a pot in the garden in the summer, so watering and feeding does not stop. Watering is moderate, fertilizers are applied every 2 weeks.
Transfer
Every 2-3 years, the flower needs to be transplanted into a larger pot and a new substrate. After transplanting, a third of the bulb should remain above the surface of the substrate.
Reproduction of weltheimia
The easiest and most common way to propagate Weltheimia is by using daughter bulbs. After separation, each copy is planted in an individual flower container.
Types of weltheimia
In its genus, the exotic plant Veltgeimia has 6 species, but the most popular because of its unpretentiousness in growing and care, as well as because of its high decorativeness are Veltheimia "Cape" and "Bracts".
Bracts Weltheimia
It differs from other species in very wavy leaf plates reaching a length of 30 centimeters and unusual peduncles with a spotted surface. The flowering period begins in the last winter weeks. Numerous flowers of a pinkish-green hue appear on the peduncles, collected in inflorescences with a diameter of 10 centimeters. Up to 60 small flowers gradually bloom on one peduncle, which delight with their beauty for one month or even more.
Cape Weltheimia
The plant has its own characteristics. It has very wide (10-12 centimeters) leaves, resembling the shape of a cap due to the blunt top and several longitudinal folds on the surface. There is an unusual spotting at the base of the light green leaf blades. The inflorescence in the form of a brush consists of drooping light red and yellow-green flowers. The average height is about 50 centimeters.
Weltheimia is considered one of the most unusual and attractive potted plants to bloom in the winter. Depending on the climate, the flower can be kept in the garden or flower garden, in the office or on the terrace, on the windowsill or in the winter garden, on the veranda or on the balcony.
