2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Weltheimia is a perennial bulbous plant that belongs to the hyacinth family. There are only a few species in the genus that are found naturally in South Africa. This plant naturally grows on the seashore and hilly areas, while choosing shady areas.
Description of the plant
This plant is rather small, it is a rosette of belt-like green leaves that will be slightly wavy at the very edge. At the very beginning of winter, the plant develops a peduncle rather quickly. In shape, such a peduncle is an inflorescence of drooping pink flowers, which makes the plant look like a fireworks. Actually, it is for this reason that Weltheimia is sometimes also called the winter rocket. The flowers of the plant will be narrow-bell-shaped, and their flowering will last for two to three months.
At home, this plant can be seen quite rarely. After all, Veltheimia can bloom at a temperature of only ten to fourteen degrees Celsius, and in winter conditions in an apartment it is very difficult to maintain such a temperature regime. However, the cool winter gardens are a great place to grow this plant. In addition, Veltheimia can also be grown on closed balconies and loggias, provided that the temperature there does not exceed fourteen degrees.
Growing and caring for weltheimia
In terms of lighting, the plant will need very good lighting, but it should not be exposed to direct sunlight. And during the dormant period, the plant will be able to develop favorably in complete darkness.
The temperature regime, as has already been said, is extremely important for the weltheimia. When new leaves appear on the plant, and this usually happens in September, a temperature regime of twenty degrees is required. The plant can also be kept on the balcony, but already in November the temperature should not exceed fourteen degrees Celsius. After that, already in the winter period of time, this plant will bloom at a temperature of ten degrees Celsius.
It should be noted that air humidity does not play any role for the favorable development of Weltheimia.
As for watering, it will be required moderately from mid-September until the beginning of the dormant period of the plant. It is also important to remember that when watering, contact between water and the plant bulb should not occur. Watering should continue until the leaves of the plant are dry. As soon as new shoots appear, watering should be started again.
After the leaves appear, the Weltheimia will need to be fed with fertilizer for flowering plants, which should be diluted in half. These steps should be taken about once a month.
The plant should be transplanted every two to three years, this should be done after the end of the dormant period. The Weltheimim bulb should rise approximately one third above the ground.
The substrate for the plant will require the following: in equal quantities, it is necessary to take sod and leafy soil, as well as sand. Weltheimia pots should be fairly wide.
The dormant period begins after the end of flowering. By the end of spring, the leaves of the plant will dry out, then the bulb should be moved with the pot to a room where it will be dark enough. Already in September, the dormant period will end and new leaves will begin to grow at the same time, and the pot with the plant will need to be moved to a room with good lighting.
Reproduction of Weltheimia can take place both by means of bulbs and by means of seeds.
