Life form |
Grassy onion |
Family |
Lileaceae |
Origin |
South Africa |
Ease of cultivation |
Requires certain conditions |
The size |
Reaches 50 cm in height |
Growth rate |
Average |
Lifespan |
Perennial plant, life span from 1 year to 5 years, depending on wintering conditions. |
Temperature |
Optimal temperature after the appearance of leaves in September – 59-64,4 ° F, up to 75,2 ° F, in November – 50-53,6 ° F, in winter it is desirable to contain at a temperature of 46,4-50 ° F. Not observing the temperature regime, it is difficult to ensure the flowering of the plant. |
Humidity |
Requires medium humidity |
Lighting |
Veltheimia capensis requires lighted places glare, at least 3 hours per day directional light. Suitable south and south-west, as well as east and west windows. for Veltheimiabracteata more suitable for partial shade, north window. |
The soil |
Fertile, loose, acidic soil is suitable. You can take : 1 part of the garden land, 1 part of coarse sand or perlite, 1 part of wet peat or humus (leafy earth) and lime. Good drainage and a pot with a hole is required. |
Watering |
In the period of flowering and growth (in autumn and winter) the soil should be moderately moist, watered every 3-6 days. Water very moderately, trying not to fall on the bulb. During the rest period, the soil should be kept moderately moist, watered rarely. |
Fertilizer |
Feed up with liquid fertilizer once a month during the period of growth and flowering. Stop fertilizing after flowering, as the plant is not fertilized during the first 4 months after transplantation. |
Reproduction |
Branch of bulbs-children in October, which are planted in small pots. The size of the pot is increased as the bulb grows. For reproduction, you can use the leaves of large plants, which can be planted in the sand, in the bottom are formed bulbs. Easily propagated by seeds that are sown in the sandy torfnuyu mixture to a depth of 3-4 mm.Sprouts appear within 2-3 weeks. Flowering plants grown from seeds, usually for 3-4 years. |
Bloom |
From January to March, on a long peduncle, tubular flowers collected in the ear. Hold more than 2 months. |
Transfer |
Plant a bulb in October, not covering the top of the earth. Transplant every 2-3 years. |
Features of care |
The plant needs coolness. Pot with a diameter of not less than 15 cm. Flowers appear 4 months after planting. It is necessary to remove in time the faded peduncles. The plant has a rest period of about 2 months from the middle to the end of summer, when leaves can die. The bulb is stored in a cool dark place. Some growers during the period of rest leaves do not die, even if they reduce watering plants. The new growth begins in September. |
Difficulties |
Perhaps the appearance of aphids, scabies, powdery mildew. The bulb may rot. |
Air cleaning |
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Toxicity |
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