Crinum

The genus Crinum includes more than 100 species of bulbous plants. Usually the bulbs are large (up to 20 cm in diameter) and are composed of very large scales. Leaves are numerous lanceolate, belt-shaped, up to 1 m long. Peduncles up to 80-100 cm long with an umbrella-shaped inflorescence of several flowers, very similar to the flowers of amaryllis or lily. The flowers are up to 12 cm long, with a wide mouth, fragrant, white, pinkish-white or pink. The most resistant species, which nevertheless do not tolerate temperatures below 10 °C, are listed below. Crinum bulbispermum (Crinum bulbispermum), South African origin is an evergreen species up to 80 cm tall. Its large oval bulbs are 8-10 cm in diameter, the leaves are lanceolate, bent outwards, the flowers are large, white, with pink spots on the outer side of the petals; the variety 'White' has completely white petals. Moore's crinum (C. moorei) is another South African species up to 1 m tall, similar to bulbous-seeded crinum; the flowers are white or pink, depending on the variety, and bloom starting in May. Powel's crinum (C. x powellii) is a hybrid obtained from crossing bulbous-seeded crinum and Moore; it has bulbs with a diameter of 10 cm; numerous lanceolate leaves up to 10 cm wide and more than 1 m long; the flowers are white, pink or reddish-pink. Other species, such as American crinum (C. americanum) with white fragrant flowers, Asian crinum (C. asiaticum) - in an inflorescence of 20-30 white flowers and Makow crinum (C. macowannii) with white and purple flowers, can be grown in a brightly lit place with a minimum temperature of 16 °C. Favorite crinum (C. amabile) has a small bulb, fragrant flowers with red stripes on the petals, and Kirk's crinum (C. kirkii) has white flowers with a red border.

The genus Crinum includes more than 100 species of bulbous plants. Usually the bulbs are large (up to 20 cm in diameter) and are composed of very large scales. Leaves are numerous lanceolate, belt-shaped, up to 1 m long. Peduncles up to 80-100 cm long with an umbrella-shaped inflorescence of several flowers, very similar to the flowers of amaryllis or lily. The flowers are up to 12 cm long, with a wide mouth, fragrant, white, pinkish-white or pink. The most resistant species, which nevertheless do not tolerate temperatures below 10 °C, are listed below.

Crinum bulbispermum (Crinum bulbispermum), South African origin is an evergreen species up to 80 cm tall. Its large oval bulbs are 8-10 cm in diameter, the leaves are lanceolate, bent outwards, the flowers are large, white, with pink spots on the outer side of the petals; the variety 'White' has completely white petals.

Moore's crinum (C. moorei) is another South African species up to 1 m tall, similar to bulbous-seeded crinum; the flowers are white or pink, depending on the variety, and bloom starting in May.

Powel's crinum (C. x powellii) is a hybrid obtained from crossing bulbous-seeded crinum and Moore; it has bulbs with a diameter of 10 cm; numerous lanceolate leaves up to 10 cm wide and more than 1 m long; the flowers are white, pink or reddish-pink.

Other species, such as American crinum (C. americanum) with white fragrant flowers, Asian crinum (C. asiaticum) - in an inflorescence of 20-30 white flowers and Makow crinum (C. macowannii) with white and purple flowers, can be grown in a brightly lit place with a minimum temperature of 16 °C.

Favorite crinum (C. amabile) has a small bulb, fragrant flowers with red stripes on the petals, and Kirk's crinum (C. kirkii) has white flowers with a red border.

Cultivation

Crinums are cold-sensitive plants, so in the garden they can only be grown in temperate climates, using more unpretentious varieties, such as bulbous-seeded crinum or Powel's crinum. In the central regions of Europe, they can be grown outdoors in pots and flower boxes in the maximum possible light, only in the period from October to the end of April, the plants are covered. In the garden, bulbs are planted in March-April in fertile, well-drained land. At the same time, the distance between the bulbs should be 30-45 cm and the planting depth 25-30 cm. At the end of the flowering period, when the flowers and leaves wither, the bulbs are removed from the ground, and if the climate is mild, you can leave (even for several years). For cultivation, use pots with a diameter of 25-30 cm. Bulbs are buried only half or 2/3 in the soil from garden (if possible non-carbonate) earth, peat and sand, taken in equal parts. During the growing season, once every 2 weeks, liquid mineral fertilizer should be added to the water for irrigation at the rate of 10 g per bucket. In winter, even if we are talking about pots located in a sheltered place from the winds, the soil is mulched with straw, peat, leaves or other appropriate material.

Crinums are cold-sensitive plants, so in the garden they can only be grown in temperate climates, using more unpretentious varieties, such as bulbous-seeded crinum or Powel's crinum. In the central regions of Europe, they can be grown outdoors in pots and flower boxes in the maximum possible light, only in the period from October to the end of April, the plants are covered.

In the garden, bulbs are planted in March-April in fertile, well-drained land. At the same time, the distance between the bulbs should be 30-45 cm and the planting depth 25-30 cm.

At the end of the flowering period, when the flowers and leaves wither, the bulbs are removed from the ground, and if the climate is mild, you can leave (even for several years).

For cultivation, use pots with a diameter of 25-30 cm. Bulbs are buried only half or 2/3 in the soil from garden (if possible non-carbonate) earth, peat and sand, taken in equal parts. During the growing season, once every 2 weeks, liquid mineral fertilizer should be added to the water for irrigation at the rate of 10 g per bucket.

In winter, even if we are talking about pots located in a sheltered place from the winds, the soil is mulched with straw, peat, leaves or other appropriate material.

Location

For Crinum bulbs, we recommend a sunny place and protection from the wind, for example, they can be planted along the wall.

Temperature

The winter temperature should not be lower than 10 °C, except for the shortest periods. The optimal growing temperature is 20-25 °C.

Watering

Crinum should be watered abundantly, especially in summer.

Transplant

Potted bulbs are transplanted into new pots every 3-4 years, in March.

Care

The plant does not require special care, apart from cleaning and removing individual yellowed or damaged leaves.

Reproduction

Crinums are propagated by bulbs, babies, and seeds. In early spring, children are separated, which are formed at the mother bulb. They are transplanted in groups of 3 pieces in pots of a suitable size. Maintain a temperature of about 20 °C until seedlings appear. From seeds, you can get more plants, but you will have to wait 4-5 years for flowering, while plants from children will give flowers in 3 years.

Diseases

Gray rot (the causative agent is Botrytis cinerea) causes the appearance of brown spots of hardened tissues on leaves and stems. Although the plant can be treated with fungicides, it is preferable to simply get rid of the affected plant. In case of rotting bulbs, it is better to eliminate them. Aphids and thrips cause deformity and yellowing of the organs. The plant should be treated with appropriate insecticides. Mite-infested plants have red or yellowish speckles on their leaves. They are treated with acaricides, after which they make sure that the soil around the plant has high humidity.

Acquisition

Crinum bulbs are not easy to get, they can only be found in large gardening centers or in specialized firms, and also purchased by mail. Choose well-formed bulbs without signs of disease.