Polianthes tuberosa

Tuberose, or Polianthes tuberosa (Polianthes tuberosa), is a representative of the genus Polianthes (Polianthes), which unites 13 perennial tender bulbous plant species. It is especially appreciated for its lush -flowering, flowers are often used for cutting. Tuberose is a herbaceous plant with a bulbous tuber, up to 1.5 m high. Rosette leaves are long, belt-shaped. During the spring-summer period, white, often double, very fragrant, funnel-shaped flowers up to 5 cm long, which break up in the upper part into 6 rounded (in some varieties elongated) lobes, are collected in ears. Terry fabrics flowers of the 'Pearl' variety have a special unique aroma. The variety is very common, and for a long time only it was grown for cutting. Tuberose flowers are used in perfumery to make expensive perfumes.

Tuberose, or Polianthes tuberosa (Polianthes tuberosa), is a representative of the genus Polianthes (Polianthes), which unites 13 perennial tender bulbous plant species. It is especially appreciated for its lush -flowering, flowers are often used for cutting. Tuberose is a herbaceous plant with a bulbous tuber, up to 1.5 m high. Rosette leaves are long, belt-shaped. During the spring-summer period, white, often double, very fragrant, funnel-shaped flowers up to 5 cm long, which break up in the upper part into 6 rounded (in some varieties elongated) lobes, are collected in ears. Terry fabrics flowers of the 'Pearl' variety have a special unique aroma. The variety is very common, and for a long time only it was grown for cutting. Tuberose flowers are used in perfumery to make expensive perfumes.

Cultivation

Tuberose is grown in the open ground as a garden plant, if the climate is characterized by mild winters, used for decorating flower beds, for forcing in winter. The lowest varieties are cultivated in pots on balconies and terraces, as well as indoor crops. In the open ground, bulbs winter only in the south; in other regions, they are planted in the ground in the spring to a depth of 2-3 cm, the distance between the bulbs is 15 cm. Such plants bloom in late summer and autumn. In autumn, the corms are dug up and stored in a cool, dry place. When growing in a pot (with a diameter of 12-14 cm), use a mixture of disinfected fertile land (50%), peat (30%) and sand (20%), mineral fertilizer is applied at the rate of 30 g per bucket of soil. During April-August, once a month, a complex fertilizer is diluted in water for irrigation in the amount of 10 g per bucket. In order for the flowering of potted plants to be complete, the bulbs should be renewed annually.

Location

Tuberose requires open sun, and at home - maximum illumination.

Temperature

The minimum temperature in winter during the dormant period is 7-9 °C, during the vegetative period-15-18 °C.

Watering

After pinching, potted plants should be watered regularly-every time the surface of the soil begins to dry out. When growing in the open ground, plants should be watered when there is little rain.

Care

Remove faded inflorescences and damaged parts.

Reproduction

Propagated by babies that form around the main mother bulb. They are separated once every 3 years; the resulting babies are immediately planted.

Diseases

Gray rot of vegetable crops (Botrytis cinerea) causes dark spots on the leaves and damage on the peduncles. You can get rid of it with fungicides, but it is preferable to remove the affected plant, as well as with rotting bulbs. Aphids and thrips lead to deformation and yellowing of plants. It should be treated with appropriate insecticides. The spider mite causes red or yellowish specks to appear. They get rid of it with the help of acaricides, as well as by maintaining high humidity around the plant.

Acquisition

Bulbs are easily found in all retail outlets where plants are sold, including supermarkets. Storage conditions are not always met properly, so you should check the quality of corms.