Zephyranthes

The name of the genus Zephyranthes comes from the Greek words "zephyr" - " west wind "and" antos " - "flower". The genus comprises about 40 species of bulbous perennial plants distributed in tropical regions of Central and South America and on the islands of the Caribbean Sea. In Zephyranthes candida, the bulb is rounded or oval, with dark brown, almost black filmy outer scales. It is usually completely buried in the ground. The leaves are flattened-awl-shaped, very narrow (up to 0.4 cm wide), about 30-40 cm long, fleshy, dark green. The flowers are solitary, on peduncles of the same length as the leaves. Perianth funnel-shaped, 4-6 cm long, six-membered, white or slightly shaded with pink outside. Flowers appear in spring-early summer simultaneously with the leaves, outside the leaf rosette, from the buds of the previous year. Wild in nature, this species grows on floodplain swamps of Argentina, Paraguay, and Southern Brazil. Zephyrantes krupnotsvetkovyi (Z. grandiflora) differs from the first species with wider (about 1 cm) leaves and larger, up to 8 cm in diameter, pink flowers. It is native to Central America (Guatemala) and the Antilles. The development of new peduncles after a dormant period occurs very quickly, so zephyrantes is simply called an "upstart". The flowers are kept open for a short time, only 5-7 days, after which they are replaced by new ones.

The name of the genus Zephyranthes comes from the Greek words "zephyr" - " west wind "and" antos " - "flower".

The genus comprises about 40 species of bulbous perennial plants distributed in tropical regions of Central and South America and on the islands of the Caribbean Sea.

In Zephyranthes candida, the bulb is rounded or oval, with dark brown, almost black filmy outer scales. It is usually completely buried in the ground. The leaves are flattened-awl-shaped, very narrow (up to 0.4 cm wide), about 30-40 cm long, fleshy, dark green. The flowers are solitary, on peduncles of the same length as the leaves. Perianth funnel-shaped, 4-6 cm long, six-membered, white or slightly shaded with pink outside. Flowers appear in spring-early summer simultaneously with the leaves, outside the leaf rosette, from the buds of the previous year. Wild in nature, this species grows on floodplain swamps of Argentina, Paraguay, and Southern Brazil.

Zephyrantes krupnotsvetkovyi (Z. grandiflora) differs from the first species with wider (about 1 cm) leaves and larger, up to 8 cm in diameter, pink flowers. It is native to Central America (Guatemala) and the Antilles.

The development of new peduncles after a dormant period occurs very quickly, so zephyrantes is simply called an "upstart". The flowers are kept open for a short time, only 5-7 days, after which they are replaced by new ones.

Cultivation

Marshmallows are grown mainly as indoor crops and keep pots (and more often bowls) with plants on the windowsill. But you can also treat them as a container culture, decorate balconies and terraces in the warm season. Use marshmallows to decorate flower borders in the open air, in this case, the bulbs will either have to be dug out for the winter and stored in a pot in a cool room, or plant new ones next year. Best of all, these plants are suitable for a fertile, loose substrate of equal parts of humus, turf and sand with the addition of phosphorous fertilizers. It is recommended to plant several pieces in a pot or in a bowl. Bulbs are buried completely.

Location

Plants do not have a pronounced dormant period, and therefore in summer they should be kept in a sunny place, in winter - on a light cool windowsill.

Temperature

It is desirable that in winter the air temperature does not exceed 10-12 °C.

Watering

Water regularly moderately, rarely in winter, as the soil dries out.

Transplant

In spring or autumn, zephyrantes is transplanted into a mixture of humus, turf and sand in equal parts. After transplanting, they are watered very rarely to avoid rotting bulbs.

Care

Remove withered leaves and peduncles.

Reproduction

Daughter bulbs-babies and sowing seeds. Seedlings usually bloom in the 3rd-5th year. Marshmallows are abundant in baby bulbs that quickly fill the entire pot.

Diseases

The plant is affected by scabies and spider mites. If over-watered, podura may appear or the bulb may rot. Against insect pests, use the appropriate insecticide, the rotten bulb will have to be discarded.

Acquisition

Buy bulbs without signs of rot or damage. If you are buying an already growing plant, choose one that has a bud or a flower that is not fully bloomed. The leaves should be elastic, not affected by diseases or pests and without dry tips.