Useful information

Hymenokallis - spider lily with vanilla scent

Hymenokallis

Hymenokallis is a bulbous evergreen with a large number of belt-like leaves and umbrellas of bizarre, graceful white flowers. The flowers are narcissus-shaped, have a crown formed by accrete stamens, and six long, drooping narrow petals. For the shape of the flowers, this plant is called the Spider Lily. The plant blooms for a short time, but the flowering allows you to enjoy the delightful aroma of vanilla.

In indoor conditions, most often 3 species are grown - Caribbean hymenokallis, coastal hymenokallis and beautiful hymenokallis, which outwardly differ slightly only in the width of the foliage. Unlike the first two species, hymenokallis blooms beautifully in late summer, and not in winter.

Description of species - on the page Hymenokallis.

In care, this is an uncomplicated plant. The main thing is to provide it with sufficient moisture. During the dormant period, which is organized in winter, the temperature of the plant is somewhat reduced, but if this is not possible, then a warm content is acceptable. The leaves are preserved during the dormant period.

Hymenokallis caribbean

Priming for hymenokallis, a loose and nutritious one is prepared, for example, of the following composition: sod land: leaf land: sand (1: 3: 1). The acidity of the soil should be slightly acidic (pH 5.0-7.5). From purchased substrates, you can use quality mixtures for indoor flowering plants. The soil must contain sand.

Transfer... Hymenocallis must grow in a tight, well-draining pot for good flowering. It is rarely transplanted. Only young plants are transplanted every 2 years into a spacious pot for the growth of the root system. Adults, developed specimens - every 3-4 years. The optimal transplant time is during the rest period. Although, like many bulbous plants, hymenokallis will normally tolerate a transplant at other times, but not during the flowering period.

Transplant is a reason to inspect the bulb for gray rot. Areas of decay are cleaned to healthy tissue, treated with Maxim or sprinkled with crushed charcoal.

  • Soils and soil mixtures for indoor plants
  • Transplanting indoor plants

Lighting. Hymenokallis needs to be provided with a bright place with diffused light on the east or west windowsill. In the south, the plant tolerates a small amount of direct sunlight, but it is better to shade it, because the lower leaves can dry out, while the rest get sunburn. North windows for hymenokallis do not provide the desired level of illumination.

In the summer, the plant can be taken out into the garden with a little shade around noon. The plant is gradually acclimated to the open air. The plant is brought back into the room, without waiting for the cold weather, when the night temperature drops to + 13 ° C.

If in the autumn-winter time the plant is supplemented with a phytolamp, then the flowering will become more magnificent. But this is not a prerequisite for flowering.

Temperature... The optimum temperature during the active growing season for a plant is + 18 ... + 22 ℃. The maximum temperature for a plant is + 29 ... + 32 ℃. With the end of flowering, the temperature is reduced to + 16 ℃. In winter, the plant should not be exposed to cold air, the temperature + 4 ℃ is already too low.

Watering... Hymenokallis is a moisture-loving plant that requires abundant watering. In the summer, it must be watered often, every other day, and sometimes daily, allowing only the top layer of the soil to dry out. Neither overdrying of the soil nor stagnation of water should be allowed. After flowering, watering is somewhat limited due to a decrease in the temperature of the content.

When waterlogged, the bulb rots, the lower leaves first wither, then turn yellow, and then become watery and brown.

Read more in the article Watering rules for indoor plants.

Hymenokallis caribbean

Air humidity... Hymenokallis is a plant that does not require high air humidity, it is content with a relative humidity of 40-50%. Therefore, spraying is carried out only in the case of very dry indoor air. Flowering plants are sprayed especially carefully, without getting on the flowers. The plant pot can be placed on a pallet of damp expanded clay to create a humid atmosphere.

Top dressing... Hymenokallis has a large leaf mass and needs to be fed frequently. For top dressing, a complex mineral fertilizer with trace elements for flowering indoor plants is used, which is applied every 2 weeks in a half dose. In autumn and winter they feed less often, once a month, at the same half rate. After flowering, they do not feed in the first 3 weeks. It is advisable to avoid organic fertilizers, as their use can lead to rotting of the bulb.

Read more in the article Top dressing of indoor plants.

Pruning... After flowering, it is advisable to remove the umbrellas of the flowers so as not to deplete the bulbs by setting seeds. At the same time, the flower stalks are left to wilt completely, because they donate their resources to the bulbs.

Dormant period... In winter, the hymenokallis is organized a rest period with a decrease in temperature to + 16 ... + 18оС. Top dressing during this period is continued, but made more rare, once a month, in a half dose. The leaves are preserved during the dormant period.

If additional lighting is carried out in winter, then a rest period is not required.

Pests... It is affected by spider mites, scale insects, mealybugs.

Read more in the article Houseplant pests and control measures.

Toxicity... Like many other amaryllids, hymenocallis contain a variety of alkaloids. Do not allow plant tissue to get inside. The sap of the plant can cause an allergic reaction.

Reproduction... Hymenokallis is propagated by daughter bulbs when transplanted during a dormant period. They are planted in spacious pots, because a powerful root system is formed.

Seed propagation is possible, but it will take several years before flowering. Therefore, it is easier to separate the bulbs.

Possible difficulties in growing hymenokallis

  • Hymenokallis does not bloom - due to lack of light, too poor soil, overdrying or waterlogging.
  • Flowers fall - due to lack of moisture.
  • Foliage withers - from waterlogging, adjust watering. Withering is also possible due to overdrying of the soil.

Photo from the GreenInfo.ru forum

$config[zx-auto] not found$config[zx-overlay] not found