Lachenalia

The genus Lachenalia consists of 90 species of bulbous tender plants with belt-shaped or lanceolate leaves. Flower arrows up to 25 cm long bear racemes of tubular flowers, often drooping. Lachenalia abides, or L. tricolor is a species 15-30 cm high, with light green leaves and drooping yellow flowers with a green tint in red spots, 2-3 cm long, collected in brushes. After the summer dormancy period, growth begins in the fall, and flowering continues throughout the winter. In many varieties, the flowers are colored in a more saturated yellow color than in the botanical species, even in green. In the hybrid variety 'Nelson', the blooming flowers are greenish, the buds have an intense pink hue. Lachenalia archoides (L. archoides) - a species 20-25 cm high, flowers are very small (0.5 cm long), fragrant, white or yellow with a blue or red tint. The 'Dark Purple' variety is characterized by larger and bluer flowers. They bloom in April. Lachenalia bulbifera (L. bulbifera) - a species 20 cm tall, with coral-red flowers with green and purple tints, they bloom in winter. Varieties with yellow and purple flowers are common. Lachenalia contaminate, a species up to 25 cm tall, has numerous thin leaves, similar to herbaceous leaves of cereals, and dense inflorescences of white flowers.

The genus Lachenalia consists of 90 species of bulbous tender plants with belt-shaped or lanceolate leaves. Flower arrows up to 25 cm long bear racemes of tubular flowers, often drooping.

Lachenalia abides, or L. tricolor is a species 15-30 cm high, with light green leaves and drooping yellow flowers with a green tint in red spots, 2-3 cm long, collected in brushes. After the summer dormancy period, growth begins in the fall, and flowering continues throughout the winter. In many varieties, the flowers are colored in a more saturated yellow color than in the botanical species, even in green. In the hybrid variety 'Nelson', the blooming flowers are greenish, the buds have an intense pink hue.

Lachenalia archoides (L. archoides) - a species 20-25 cm high, flowers are very small (0.5 cm long), fragrant, white or yellow with a blue or red tint. The 'Dark Purple' variety is characterized by larger and bluer flowers. They bloom in April.

Lachenalia bulbifera (L. bulbifera) - a species 20 cm tall, with coral-red flowers with green and purple tints, they bloom in winter. Varieties with yellow and purple flowers are common.

Lachenalia contaminate, a species up to 25 cm tall, has numerous thin leaves, similar to herbaceous leaves of cereals, and dense inflorescences of white flowers.

Cultivation

Lachenalia is usually grown in greenhouses, and flowering plants are sold in pots for use as indoor plants, then they are again removed to the greenhouse (or mini-greenhouse) when it is not possible to create the necessary temperature and light conditions in winter. Use pots with a diameter of 12-14 cm, filled with soil consisting of earth, peat and sand (1:1:1) with the addition (20 g per bucket of soil) of full mineral fertilizer. In September, you can plant 5 or more bulbs in a pot. All winter, once every 2 weeks, a complex mineral fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation in the amount of 15 g per bucket.

Location

Lachenalia requires a very well-lit place full of sun.

Temperature

Plants can withstand a drop in temperature even up to 10 °C, but for good development in winter, the optimal temperature should not exceed 12 °C at night, during the day only slightly warmer. After the leaves die off, they easily tolerate high temperatures.

Watering

During the growth period, it is recommended to maintain a moderate uniform humidity of the soil. When the leaves die in the summer, the plants are not watered.

Transplant

Transplanted in late summer after the leaves die off or at the end of the dormant period, it is recommended to remove from pots and plant 5-8 bulbs in 10-12-centimeter new containers.

Reproduction

When transplanting, it is easy to propagate lachenalia, at the end of summer, the daughter bulbs are separated from the main bulb, which are formed around, and immediately put them in new pots. They bloom on the 2nd year.

Diseases

Due to the compaction of the soil, root rot may begin, which can be prevented by using a looser soil. In a too humid environment, various fungi develop, which provoke the formation of spots on leaves, flowers and young shoots. They get rid of them by maintaining optimal environmental conditions for plants and treating them with fungicides. Use healthy bulbs and disinfected soil for planting.

Due to the compaction of the soil, root rot may begin, which can be prevented by using a looser soil.

In a too humid environment, various fungi develop, which provoke the formation of spots on leaves, flowers and young shoots. They get rid of them by maintaining optimal environmental conditions for plants and treating them with fungicides. Use healthy bulbs and disinfected soil for planting.

Acquisition

Bulbs and flowering plants can be found in flower shops and gardening centers. There should be no traces of mold on the bulbs, and the plants themselves should be compact, without signs of mosaic or rotting.