INSTRUCTIONS AND PROPHECIES OF THE Blessed MOTHER ALIPIA GOLOSEEVSKY, Kyiv...
Eukomis, eukomis, pineapple lily, tufted lily (lat. Eucomis) - perennial bulbous herbaceous plant family Asparagus. Translated from Greek, the name of the plant means "beautiful tuft" or beautifully hairy. In the people, eukomis is called pineapple lily, tufted lily. The plant comes from southern Africa, in conditions temperate climate cultivated similarly to gladioli.
The bulb is large, glossy, egg-shaped, forms a powerful basal rosette. Numerous leaf blades are belt-like in shape, reach a length of about 60 cm, and have wavy edges. The leaves are green, the surface is glossy, brownish spots may be located in the lower part.
Inflorescences are similar to pineapple. An elastic thick arrow stretches about 1 m in height, about 30 cm of which are densely covered with many small star-shaped flowers that open from bottom to top, forming a spike-shaped inflorescence in the form of a cylinder. Flowers can be snow-white or greenish with a purple, brownish tint. The perianth is schistidolny, filiform stamens fused with it. The fruit is a trihedral seed box.
When does eucomis bloom?
Ecomis blooms tirelessly throughout the summer period.
Growing eucomis from seeds
Pineapple lily seed propagation is most often used by breeders. For getting a large number planting material, you can resort to this method and gardeners, but keep in mind that if you take seeds from a hybrid plant, the resulting seedlings will not inherit characteristics parent plant.
How to collect seeds
Seeds are purchased at specialized points of sale, but if there is no possibility of their self-collection. Seeds fully ripen in September. You can use the following collection method. Do not wait for the seeds to ripen completely so as not to weaken the plant, cut off the arrow and put it in a container of water, when the boxes dry out, you can remove the seeds.
How to plant
Start sowing eucomis seeds immediately. Fill the containers with nutrient soil (a universal substrate for growing seedlings is suitable), spread the seeds over the surface, the planting depth should not exceed the size of the seeds themselves, moisten with a fine spray. To maintain the greenhouse effect, cover with film or glass from above, provide heat (about 23-25 ° C) and bright diffused lighting.
Air the crops daily, maintain moderate soil moisture by spraying. Shelter is removed after emergence. In the spring, the bulbs are transplanted into open ground. Under these conditions, flowering will occur around the 3rd year of growth. In regions with a warm climate, seeds can be sown immediately in open ground in spring - then flowering can be observed already in the next season.
Reproduction by daughter bulbs
This method of reproduction allows you to fully preserve varietal characteristics.
The bulbs have a common bottom with the main bulb, so they must be carefully separated, and the cut points should be treated with crushed charcoal or a fungicidal preparation. Daughter bulbs are planted for growing in containers with nutrient substrate, deepen completely into the soil, the tip of the top should only slightly peek out above the soil surface. For normal development between individual bulbs, keep a distance of about 40 cm.
Propagation of eucomis by leaf cuttings
At the end of summer, cut the eucomis leaves and cut them into short cuttings 6-8 cm long, make the lower part of the cut v-shaped, cutting obliquely from the center to the edges of the leaf. Plant the cuttings at half their height in a nutritious loose soil, you can even in a food container, while not forgetting to make drainage holes in the bottom.
Place the container in a closed aquarium or cover with a transparent lid to create Greenhouse effect. Water occasionally with a spray bottle, without over-wetting or over-drying the soil.
After 1.5-2 months, small onions form and the first green shoots appear. Grow the plants until spring, when they become crowded, plant them in separate containers. At the end of May, seedlings can be planted in the garden using the transshipment method.
Place for planting ecoumis in the garden
Tufted lily is thermophilic. Choose a well-lit place for planting. sunlight area protected from drafts. Do not plant in lowlands ground water must pass at a depth of more than 1 m.
The soil requires light, loose, sufficiently saturated with nutrients, with good drainage (you can add river sand or pebbles).
How to plant eukomis in open ground
- Planting eucomis bulbs in open ground is carried out with the establishment of real heat, when the threat of return frosts has completely passed.
- Depending on the size, the bulb is buried in the soil by 2.5-3.5 cm.
- Keep a distance of 40-50 cm between individual plants.
- Before planting, the bulbs should be disinfected: hold for half an hour in a slightly pink solution of potassium permanganate and rinse or treat with Maxim.
How to care for eukomis in the open field
Basic plant care is proper watering and the introduction of fertilizers.
Watering
Immediately after planting, water as little as possible so that the bulbs successfully take root and do not start to rot. With the activation of growth, watering is increased, avoid getting drops of water on the leaves, because they can leave stains and streaks. In very hot weather, water daily in the morning or evening. After the end of flowering, reduce watering, and when the leaves begin to turn yellow, stop completely (the plant is already preparing for a dormant period).
top dressing
The plant needs frequent feeding. During the flowering period, they must be applied every 14 days. Use complex mineral fertilizers, but minimize the proportion of nitrogen (can be applied after 1 time).
Eucomis wintering
In the southern regions, the bulbs can be left for wintering in open ground, but cover the soil surface with dry leaves, sawdust or peat.
bulb storage
Digging up the bulbs is carried out in the fall (approximately at the end of September), when the flowering ends and the aerial part dries up.
Sort the bulbs, send completely healthy specimens for storage. Place them in paper bags or wrap them in napkins, store them in a cool, ventilated area (basement, vegetable section of the refrigerator).
Diseases and pests
As a result of improper storage of the bulbs or excessive soil moisture, rotting is possible. It is important to provide suitable conditions ( temperature regime, airing) and inspect the bulbs regularly. You will recognize the rotting of the bulb in the soil by the presence of brown spots on the leaves. It is necessary to cut off the affected area of the bulb, and treat the cut points with a fungicide.
If there is cloudy cold weather, growth rates are inhibited, and flowering may not occur.
Pests: whitefly, scale insects, aphids, spider mite. You will need to treat with an insecticide.
Eukomis in landscape design
Gardeners love eukomis for long flowering and exotic look.
It will definitely draw attention. Looks great solo. It is often planted against the backdrop of a lawn, on hills, used in rocky gardens.
When landing in a container, the eucomis will become mobile, which will allow it to be placed in various places for decoration.
Eukomis will set the tone for the overall composition. It goes well, looks great against the background of plants and in. Suitable partners would be other bulbous plants:, tulips,.
Types and varieties of eukomis
The genus includes about 14 species.
Eucomis autumn Eucomis autumnalis
A plant about 30 cm high. Flowering occurs in the second half of summer-early autumn, cream-colored flowers. Resistant to the first frost.
Eucomis bicolor Eucomis bicolor
The height of the plant is 40-60 cm. The flowers are light green in color with a purple frame.
The Alba variety has white-green flowers.
Eucomis punctata Eucomis punctata
The most famous representative The flowering stem can reach a height of up to 1.5 m. The flowers are greenish in color. The lower part of the leaf plates is covered with speckles.
Red stem eucomis Eucomis purpureicaulis
Spatulate leaf blades. The stem has a purple tint, the flowers are green-purple.
Eucomis wavy Eucomis undulata
By appearance very similar to pineapple. Flowers are greenish.
Eucomis crested Eucomis comosa
Very popular in our latitudes. The meter-long flowering stem has an inflorescence about 30 cm long, the flowers can be greenish, pink, purple.
Eucomis Pole-Evans Eucomis pallidiflora ssp. pole evansii
View with a light green tint of flowers.
Stricta - leaf plates on the reverse side are decorated with longitudinal stripes of a red-brown hue.
An ornamental flowering culture called eukomis is a rather rare combination of two qualities: exoticism and adaptability to a cool climate. Planting and caring for this plant is quite simple, although it has several important features.
Description and characteristics of eucomis
Eukomis, also known as eukomis, tufted lily and pineapple palm, is a bulbous herbaceous perennial native to the African tropics. The plant has an inflorescence unusual shape. It looks like a pineapple fruit. Eucomis is characterized by rapid development and growth. Botanical characteristics:
- bulbs - large shiny, a powerful rhizome branches off from them;
- leaves - narrow, belt-like or lanceolate, glossy. Combined into a dense basal rosette up to 60 cm high;
- the edge of the sheet is wavy, there are brown spots on the back;
- flowers - plentiful, round;
- the color of the buds is white, pale green and shades of purple or brown;
- the peduncle is an elastic meter arrow, on the crown there is a bunch of short leaves;
- inflorescences - racemose, dense, about 30 cm long;
- perianth consists of 6 lobes, after flowering it does not fall off.
Eucomis loves warmth. Only with a sufficient amount of it will he repay with a full beautiful wave-like flowering. This period usually occurs in the first half of summer. Sometimes - in August or later. The plant retains its decorative effect even after withering. Usually, open ground is chosen for growing eucomis, but you can also plant it in a pot on a windowsill.
Types of eukomis
In nature, there are 14 varieties of pineapple palm. Domestic flower growers have a positive experience in cultivating some of them:
Eucomis planting technology
Growing eukomis is within the power of even an inexperienced grower. In the southern regions, flower bulbs can be sown directly into the ground in May. Maintain a spacing of 15-20 cm between plants in a row and at least 30 cm between rows. In cooler areas, planting material is first germinated in pots.
Start work in March
- Choose deep pots. This is important because of the structure of the eucomis root system.
- Treat the material with a fungicide to prevent fungal diseases.
- Slightly deepen the bulbs in a fertile substrate. The crown must remain above the ground.
- Leave the container in the room. Water the eucomis little by little along the edge of the pot, keeping the soil slightly moist. When the bulb grows up, the dose of water should be slightly increased.
- Sprouted bulbs transfer directly in pots to the street. Leave them in a warm, windless place.
- At the end of May, when the soil in the garden finally warms up, transplant.
Advice. When rooting eucomis, handle the root carefully. Shake the bush out of the pot along with the earthy clod.
As a permanent place, the plant needs a sunny site. Drafts are undesirable. The soil should be enriched with humus, light and loose in structure. For good aeration, it is worth adding some river sand to the land at the landing site.
Features of growing eukomis
Despite the tropical pedigree, the tufted lily is unpretentious in the cool climate of Europe. Watering the plant is subject to a simple scheme:
- the bulb did not germinate - almost no water is needed;
- phase of active growth - increased volumes of water, regular watering;
- after the end of flowering, the dosage of water is reduced;
- the leaves turn yellow - the plant no longer needs water.
Advice. Be sure to complete the irrigation procedure by loosening the soil around the bushes.
Eucomis cannot be fertilized. They will destroy the plant. It is better to use mineral complexes, preferably water-soluble. Feed the flower garden once every 2 weeks during the budding and flowering period. September or later last leaves turned yellow and died, take care of winter storage bulbs.
In regions with a mild climate, they can overwinter right on the site, covered with spruce branches, dry foliage or other materials. In cool regions in the fall, the bulbs need to be dug up, washed, treated with a disinfectant solution and dried. After that, they are folded in a rag or paper bag and sent for storage in a dry, cool and well-ventilated place. For example, in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator. Alternative way- dig bulbs in pots with soil, just put in the room and water a little.
Eucomis can be propagated by daughter bulbs, which are separated from the mother plant after it enters the dormant period. The place where the children are separated is sprinkled with crushed charcoal. Another method of reproduction is seeds. They are sown in a fertile substrate immediately after harvest. For the first time such eukomis will bloom in 3 years.
The weak point of the culture is the rotting of the bulbs. The best prevention is proper storage of the material during the dormant period. Otherwise, the tropical guest is unpretentious, takes root well and is able to decorate any site.
Bulb plant eukomis: video
An ornamental flowering culture called eukomis is a rather rare combination of two qualities: exoticism and adaptability to a cool climate. Planting and caring for this plant is quite simple, although it has several important features.
Description and characteristics of eucomis
Eukomis, also known as eukomis, tufted lily and pineapple palm, is a bulbous herbaceous perennial native to the African tropics. The plant has an inflorescence of an unusual shape. It looks like a pineapple fruit. Eucomis is characterized by rapid development and growth. Botanical characteristics:
- bulbs - large shiny, a powerful rhizome branches off from them;
- leaves - narrow, belt-like or lanceolate, glossy. Combined into a dense basal rosette up to 60 cm high;
- the edge of the sheet is wavy, there are brown spots on the back;
- flowers - plentiful, round;
- the color of the buds is white, pale green and shades of purple or brown;
- the peduncle is an elastic meter arrow, on the crown there is a bunch of short leaves;
- inflorescences - racemose, dense, about 30 cm long;
- perianth consists of 6 lobes, after flowering it does not fall off.
Eucomis loves warmth. Only with a sufficient amount of it will he repay with a full beautiful wave-like flowering. This period usually occurs in the first half of summer. Sometimes - in August or later. The plant retains its decorative effect even after withering. Usually, open ground is chosen for growing eucomis, but you can also plant it in a pot on a windowsill.
Types of eukomis
From 14 types of pineapple palm some of them are cultivated in horticulture:
Eukomis crested - blooms greenish-white, cream, purple or pink flowers. The flower arrow reaches a height of up to 1 m. The leaves are covered with purple dots. Its cultivation in open ground is possible only in the southern regions;
Eukomis bicolor (bicolor) is one of the most common species. It got its name for its original color: the flowers themselves are light green in color, and the edges of the petals, stamens and ovaries are burgundy in color, the leaves on the underside are covered with brownish spots. The peduncle grows up to 0.6 m in height. Flowering begins in the second half of summer;
Eukomis dotted - a medium-sized species (0.3-0.6 m), a distinctive feature of which is the presence of brown-red specks on the peduncles and the reverse side of the leaves. Up to 100 flowers are formed on the brush;
Eukomis wavy is a compact low plant (up to 0.45 m tall) with long leaves wavy along the edges without a characteristic speckled pattern. The inflorescence is dense, contains up to 50 flowers. The bracts also have a wave-like shape;
Eukomis autumn is a low-growing perennial (0.2-0.3 m) with a large bulb (8-11 cm). It blooms with white or cream flowers. Blooms later than other species. Tolerates slight frosts.
Growing eucomis from seeds
Pineapple lily seed propagation is most often used by breeders. To obtain a large amount of planting material, you can resort to this method and gardeners, but keep in mind that if you take seeds from a hybrid plant, the resulting seedlings do not inherit the characteristic features of the parent plant.
How to collect seeds
Seeds are purchased at specialized points of sale, but if there is no possibility of their self-collection. Seeds fully ripen in September. You can use the following collection method. Do not wait for the seeds to ripen completely so as not to weaken the plant, cut off the arrow and put it in a container of water, when the boxes dry out, you can remove the seeds. 
What time to plant
The planting of eucomis bulbs in open soil is carried out in well-heated ground, after the return spring frosts are left behind, as a rule, this time falls on last days May or June. If your region has a relatively cold and long spring, then in this case it is recommended to start the bulbs to germinate in a deep container filled with soil mixture, and they are transplanted to the site in the last days of March or in the first - April. When planting a bulb for distillation, it should not be buried entirely in the soil mixture, top part should rise slightly above its surface.
Landing Rules
Such a crop should be grown in a well-lit area, which is protected from drafts and strong gusts of wind. The soil should be loose, light, well-drained and rich in humus. To improve the moisture permeability of the soil, it should be dug up while adding gravel, coarse-grained river sand or broken brick.
During planting, the bulbs, depending on the size, must be buried in the ground by 25-35 mm, while the distance between the bushes should be at least 15 centimeters, and the width between the rows should be from 0.3 to 0.4 meters.
How to care for eukomis in the open field
The main care of the plant is proper watering and fertilizing.
Watering
Immediately after planting, water as little as possible so that the bulbs successfully take root and do not start to rot. With the activation of growth, watering is increased, avoid getting drops of water on the leaves, because they can leave stains and streaks. In very hot weather, water daily in the morning or evening. After the end of flowering, reduce watering, and when the leaves begin to turn yellow, stop completely (the plant is already preparing for a dormant period).
top dressing
The plant needs frequent feeding. During the flowering period, they must be applied every 14 days. Use complex mineral fertilizers, but minimize the proportion of nitrogen (can be applied after 1 time).
Eucomis wintering
After the bushes fade, they need to remove the flower arrows, while the leaf plates should remain, because thanks to them the eucomis will receive nutrients until autumn. In the first autumn weeks, yellowing, wilting and death of leaf plates are observed, while the dormant period begins in the bulbs. When growing this crop in regions with relatively warm winter, where the air temperature is not below zero degrees, if desired, the bulbs can not be removed from the ground, but simply before the cold sets in, the surface of the site is covered with a layer of spruce branches or leafy foliage.
However, in regions with a frosty, little snowy or unpredictable winter period, it is recommended to remove the bulbs from the ground in the last days of September, remove the remaining soil from them and immerse them in Maxim's solution for a while. After they dry, they must be placed in paper or cloth bags, which are stored in a cool and dry place with good ventilation. If there are few onions, then they can be stored for storage on the shelf of the refrigerator intended for vegetables, while taking into account that apples cannot be placed next to them. If desired, eukomis can be planted in pots filled with a suitable soil mixture. Store them at room temperature, and if necessary, water the substrate a little so that it does not dry out.
bulb storage
Digging up the bulbs is carried out in the fall (approximately at the end of September), when the flowering ends and the aerial part dries up.
Sort the bulbs, send completely healthy specimens for storage. Place them in paper bags or wrap them in napkins, store them in a cool, ventilated area (basement, vegetable section of the refrigerator).
Eucomis reproduction
This plant can be propagated by generative (seed) and vegetative methods. If the bush is propagated vegetatively, then it retains all the varietal characteristics of the mother plant. During the season, a small number of children are formed on the parent bulb. The separation of children is carried out when the eucomis has a period of rest. Places of cuts or faults should be sprinkled with crushed coal. Both separated and mother bulbs are planted in open soil in spring or in the first summer weeks.
Only species eucomis can be propagated by seed. For sowing, freshly harvested seeds are used. They are sown in boxes or pots filled with the substrate. The first seedlings should appear after 4-6 weeks. Care for such plants should be exactly the same as for seedlings of any other culture. The first flowering of bushes grown from seeds can be seen only 3 or 4 years after sowing.
Reproduction of such a flower can be done by leaf cuttings. To do this, it is necessary to tear off the leaf plate from the bush directly at its base, after which the leaf is divided into parts with a sharp object, the length of which should vary from 40 to 60 mm, and their lower or upper part should be outlined. Then the segments are buried with their lower part in a soil mixture consisting of peat and sand to a depth of 25 mm. Then the leaf cuttings need to be covered with a transparent cap from above and provide them with a temperature of about 20 degrees. It is necessary to ventilate the cuttings 1 time in 7 days, for this, removing the shelter for a while. After 2–2.5 months, small bulbs should form along the edge of the parts of the leaf plates. They should be carefully torn off and planted in the substrate, where they should grow to the required size.
Diseases and pests
As a result of improper storage of the bulbs or excessive soil moisture, rotting is possible. It is important to provide suitable conditions (temperature, ventilation) and regularly inspect the bulbs. You will recognize the rotting of the bulb in the soil by the presence of brown spots on the leaves. It is necessary to cut off the affected area of the bulb, and treat the cut points with a fungicide.
If there is cloudy cold weather, growth rates are inhibited, and flowering may not occur.
Pests: whitefly, scale insects, aphids, spider mites. You will need to treat with an insecticide.
Eukomis in landscape design
Eukomis is a wonderful decoration for any garden plot. Such a flower is widely used as a solo plant, as it has strong peduncles, as well as clear structural forms. It can also be used for joint landings, while groundcovers are excellent partners for him annual plants, gerberas, and also coniferous perennials.
So, eukomis looks great along with geyhera, planted against the background of ground cover plants, for example, lobelia or alyssum. In a rocky garden, such a flower also looks just amazing, its shiny leaf plates can emphasize the majesty of the stones. This flower culture can be planted almost anywhere, and everywhere it will look great.
Eukomis (eukomis) - translated means "beautiful tuft", bulbous plant, of the hyacinth family. perennial, native to South Africa. But lately it has been gaining more and more popularity in our regions.
Eucomis can be grown as a pot plant or garden plant. Eukomis grows quickly, pleases with flowering in summer, in June-July. The blossoming inflorescence has a similarity with pineapple, for which he received the name "Pineapple Flower". The genus includes 14 species. Attracts flower growers with long flowering, originality and its high decorative effect.
Features of caring for Eucomis
Eucomis unusual plant and not quite adapted to our climatic conditions, but it is easy to grow and care for it. The flower looks great in the garden, both in single and group planting. Nearby it is good to plant geykhera, lobelia.
The main care is regular watering of the plant and top dressing. Watering is stopped when the leaves of the flower turn yellow. The plant begins a dormant period, which lasts until spring. It is recommended to store the bulb at a temperature not exceeding 11 degrees. This is usually the bottom shelf in the refrigerator. When stored in room conditions you will not get a beautiful bloom. The bulb can be put in a paper bag.
Top dressing is carried out 2-3 times for the whole season. But it is important to know that Eucomis does not like fertilizers, which include nitrogen.
Landing Eucomis
It is recommended to plant the bulb in April - May. It is better to immediately decide where you will grow a flower, in open ground or in a pot. The earth is prepared loose, nutritious, with a neutral reaction. If planting in a pot, make drainage. The bulb is not deepened. So the flower will wake up after winter period rest and will not rot when watered.
Before the first signs of growth appear, water carefully, the soil should be slightly moist. As soon as the bulb begins to grow actively, watering is increased. Continue to water regularly and plentifully. A plant in a pot usefully takes out to the balcony for the summer. When the plant blooms, watering is reduced. Stop watering completely when the leaves turn yellow and let the flower rest until spring. At this time, you can transplant eukomis, separate the children. Until spring, the flower is not watered.
Eukomis is planted in open ground in June to exclude the possibility of frost. Deepen the bulb by 2.5-3.5 cm. For planting choose a sunny place, without drafts. The soil is loose, rich in humus, drained. After the appearance of the peduncle, the plant is fertilized every two weeks with a complex mineral fertilizer.
In the southern regions, the bulb can be left to winter in the soil, covered with dry leaves. The plant in a pot is transferred to a cool room. Since the development of the bulb consumes a lot nutrients from the soil, it becomes poor. In autumn or spring, be sure to transplant the bulb into fresh soil.
Reproduction Eukomis
Children appear on the mother plant during active growth. They can be separated when the eucomis is at rest. Features of the variety with such reproduction are preserved. Another way to propagate a plant is seeds. After collecting the seeds, they are sown in containers. The seedling will bloom only in the third year. In this case, it is possible to obtain a completely new plant, different from the parent plant in leaves and color of flowers.
Difficulties in growing "Pineapple Flower" The main difficulty that can be encountered in growing eukomis is the rotting of the bulb. To avoid this, you need to properly store the bulb during the dormant period. In spring and summer, follow the rules of watering, avoiding moisture stagnation.
- a pineapple. That's what people call Eucomis. The buds in its inflorescence are concentrated around the peduncle, creating a semblance of a barrel. At its top is a bunch of oblong leaves.
We see a similar one on pineapples. However, more "points of contact" tropical fruit and there is no flower of the Hyacinth group. To see this, let us continue the description of Eukomis.
Description and features of Eukomis
Eucomis flower belongs to the Lily family. Accordingly, bulbous. There are several bulbs underground. They are large and oval. root system the hero of the article is distinguished by the power and speed of development.
That's why, Eucomis landing as potted plant problematic. Large flowerpots are required. The way out is undersized varieties Eucomis. cultivation perhaps, for example, in balcony containers.
More often lily Eucomis flaunts in the gardens. By the way, about the beauty. The name was given by Charles Louis Peretier de Brutel. This is a French botanist, lived in the 18th century.
Looking at the bunch of leaves at the top of the Eukomis inflorescence, Brutel remembered the Greek words eu and kome. The first concept is translated as "beautiful". The word kome means "tuft". In general, it turns out a "beautiful-haired" flower.
Whirlwind on Eukomis is bract leaves. This is the name of the green, from the sinuses of which buds or shoots bearing them come out. By the way, ordinary leaves emerging from Eucomis bulbs, also oblong-lanceolate in shape and also assembled into a rosette. The basal bunch of greenery from below is “splashed” with purple spots. They are also found on the upper tail of the leaves.
There are no spots on the back side of Eukomis greens only in a couple of species. In general, there are only 14 of them. 4 are considered cultural. We will talk about them in a separate chapter. In the meantime, back to the buds of the hero of the article.
In shape, its flowers resemble stars with 5 petals. Forming cylindrical inflorescences, they are then converted into boxes with seeds. Triribular fruits. They form 20-100 centimeters from the ground. This is the height range of different varieties of Eukomis. Let's get acquainted with the options.
Types and varieties of Eukomis
Recall 4 decorative species. They are all perennials, but middle lane and, moreover, they do not hibernate in the sharply continental belt. You will either have to move the bulbs into the house, like hyacinths, or plant new ones every year. pineapple lily Eucomis originally from Africa, which explains the plant's love of warmth.
The most frost-resistant is Eukomis "Autumn". He is also attracted by his short stature. Peduncles rise to a level of 20-30 centimeters. Pictured is Eukomis"Autumn" pleases with flowers, when there are almost none left around.
Hence the name of the species. The buds on its representatives are formed all summer, even in September, pleasing. Some use cut eukomis for bouquets for Knowledge Day.
EucomisBicolor or "Two-color" stretches 40-60 centimeters. In the cultivar Alba, the greens are monochromatic. Greenish and buds of "Two-color" Eucomis. cultivation it gives "fruits" by September.
In the photo, eukomis bicolor
Blooming by autumn, they are distinguished by their large size and tight fit on the shoot-base. Bracts purple. Hence, in fact, the name of the species.
Eukomis "Crested" became the first of the cultivated, grown since 1778. It was about "Crested" that Charles Louis Peretier de Brutel once spoke. He gave a description. Greens, including flower stalks, are dotted with spots.
In the cultivar Scricta, they are transformed into brown-red stripes. Perianths can be of the same color. There are 2 more color options: pink and whitish.
Grown in culture and Eukomis "Pole Evans". It is larger than others, reaches a meter height. The inflorescences of Evans are also large, the buds in them are greenish-white. In horticulture, Eucomis "Pole" is a rare visitor because of the whimsical care, in particular, the requirements of high temperatures.
Planting and caring for Eucomis
Eucomis "Bicolor", "Autumn", "Crests" and "Pole Evans" are planted in late May - early June. Night temperature should be from 9 degrees and above.
These are the conditions for planting seeds in open ground. They germinate for about a month. Therefore, many grow Eukomis seedlings at home, so that by the summer there will already be greenery in the flower beds.
In the photo, eukomis is pale-leaved
For seedlings, seeds, respectively, are planted at the end of April. Germination is average. Germinates, as a rule, every 3-4th seed. Therefore, some prefer buy Eucomis in bulbs. Plants from them bloom in the first year. Shoots from seeds, sometimes, give buds only for the 3rd summer.
Healthy Eucomis bulbs are distinguished by a dry bottom, elasticity, tight fit of scales and the absence of rot or mold. These can be bought, or disconnected from the one already on the site.
Baby bulbs on it are formed during the flowering period. Offspring are separated from the mother by autumn. It is important to powder the cut points of small onions. Wounds become a gateway for infections and a temptation for rot.
Wintering of Eukomis, or rather its bulbs, passes in dryness and coolness. Planting material is placed in them at the end of September, having previously washed, disinfected and dried, packed in paper or natural fabric. AT polyethylene film, for example, air access to the bulbs is blocked. Ventilation is a must for them.
Most often, gardeners use a refrigerator to store Eukomis bulbs. planting material put in the vegetable drawer. If it is busy, the bulbs will survive the winter at room temperature in pots with dry soil. It is enough just to spray it once every 1-2 weeks.
The bulbs leave the "sleeping" room at the end of March. Eukomis is planted in pots with turf, humus, peat, sand and leafy soil. They are taken in equal amounts. A similar soil is desirable in the garden.
Eukomis loves a light and fertile substrate. The bulbs in it sprout in 2.5-3.5 weeks. It takes another month to grow, and then it can be transferred to open ground.
Plants grown from bulbs become 100% copies of their parents. the seeds are often different from the original. However, in order for the bulb to sprout, you need to plant it correctly. It is impossible to bury completely. The top of the bulb is flush with the ground, or rises above it by a couple of centimeters.
Bulbs will be watered along the edge of the flowerpot. Planting material is afraid of moisture, it can rot. Therefore, 1-1.5 weeks after planting, the bulb is not given water at all. In addition to rotting, moisture provokes the development of fungi.
Protection against fungi is carried out at the bulb stage. It is treated with a solution of copper sulfate. Treatment from other pests is also recommended to be carried out in advance in the form of prevention. 8 sheets on seedlings are enough to use funds from powdery mildew, ticks and aphids.
Other care per Eucomis is reduced to the choice of windless and sunny areas. They are actively watered only during the period of active growth. Moist soil is loosened. Compacting the earth, the water closes the "pores" in it. These are the oxygen inlets. Without his supplies, Eukomis will wither away.
In the photo, eukomis bicolor
Demanding hero of the article and k. You need minerals. They are applied to the ground every 14 days. Water-soluble top dressings are desirable.
It is no secret that plants can receive and assimilate microelements only in the form of solutions. The main thing is that they lack nitrogen. Eukomis cannot stand him. Respectively, organic top dressing alien to culture.
Eukomis in landscape design
The hero of the article has structural and clear forms. These decorate any flower garden. Tall varieties, as a rule, are located in the central parts of the compositions, and low varieties along their periphery.
Eukomis also looks advantageous in splendid isolation. With this landing, there is no need to select partners. The hero of the article does not get along with everyone. Location "deserve" coniferous perennials, and ground cover annuals.
The latter include Arabis, Grass, Thyme and Roofing Young. In other words, we are talking about undersized and bushy, covering the ground like a carpet.
Planting eucomis with bulbs
Eukomis has a decorative look not only in buds, but also in leaves. This combination makes the hero of the article a permanent decoration of flower beds. So that they do not have to be thinned out, the bulbs are planted at a distance of 15-20 centimeters from each other. Find out how much planting material costs.
Price and reviews about Eukomis
Bulbs can be purchased individually or in sets. For a package of 6 assorted pieces, they ask for about 600 rubles. One bulb costs 60-300 rubles, depending on the type of variety.
A package of pineapple lily seeds can be taken for 30 rubles. There are few offers because the demand is low. 80% of gardeners, judging by their reviews, grow exotic flower from bulbs.
Here is what a certain Nisa writes about this on one of the Internet forums: “I planted it in the ground at the end of April. Seedlings appeared in early June. I thought it wouldn't grow. Apparently, she stuck the bulbs early. But, you can wait. A very beautiful wave."
Nisa attached a photo to her message. On it is Eukomis "Bicolor". It is the most popular among gardeners and landscape designers. The latter include Vera Shelest.
In the same forum, she noted: “I most often have bicolor varieties in raised center beds. I take large bulbs. They usually produce 2 flower stalks. The composition is brighter and more voluminous.
It remains, so to speak from the editors, to add a fly in the ointment to a cup of honey. Eukomis smells peculiar. For most people, the scent is unpleasant. But, the smell attracts flies, bees, a number of beetles. In general, we are preparing for the invasion of insects. Without them, the African guest does not "pass" to the site.
