2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Dichelostemma is an extremely original plant.
Description of dichelostemma
Dichelostemma is a perennial herb that belongs to a family called onions. Under natural conditions, this plant grows in the west of the North American continent. However, under cultivated conditions, this plant can be grown literally anywhere. The bulb of this plant is rounded in shape, which is covered with very peculiar fibers. The leaves of the plant are narrow basal, and in color they will be gray-green. The peduncle of the plant is tall and winding, and in length it can reach about seventy centimeters.
The most striking part of this plant is the amazing flowers that resemble ribbed oblong boxes, at the ends of which there is a fringe created from turned out petals. The barrels are painted in bright red tones, while the petals can be either yellow-white or greenish. However, in some species of this plant, the kegs can be pink or even purple. Actually, translated from Greek, the name of this plant means "two-part crown".
The flowers of the plant are on long pedicels, these flowers are collected in an umbrella-shaped inflorescence: in each inflorescence there will be about ten to fifteen flowers. The plant begins to bloom in late May and early June. Flowering will last for two months, and after that the dichelostemma dormant period begins. During the dormant period, not only the flowers wither, but also the dying off of the entire aerial part of the plant occurs. The flowers of this plant look perfect both in the garden and in various bouquets.
Care and cultivation of dihelostemma
Dichelostemma should be grown in an open, sunny place or in areas where there is light shade. However, in the event that there is not enough light for the plant, the arrows of the plant will stretch out and, for this reason, will be unable to hold heavy inflorescences. As for the soil, it must be fertile and well-drained. Before planting, experts recommend adding both crushed peat and sand to the soil.
Throughout the growing season of the dihelostemma, the plant will need regular but moderate watering, as well as loosening and weeding the soil. After the flowering of the plant occurs, then watering should be gradually reduced: this is due to the fact that the corms must form in fairly dry conditions.
Once or twice a season, you will need to feed the plant with complex mineral fertilizers. For the winter period, cover the plants with compost, leaves, peat and straw. If in your area there are especially cold winters, then you will need to dig up the corms even before the first frosts come. After the corms have been dug out, they will need to be thoroughly cleaned and dried: such corms should be stored in a fairly cool place until the next spring.
Dichelostemma propagation occurs through young corms, the formation of which occurs in adult plants. Nevertheless, the plant is able to reproduce quite easily with the help of seeds: seed ripening occurs after the flowering period is over. The seeds of this plant are recommended to be sown in open ground either under the winter period of time, or in early spring. It is noteworthy that in this case the plant can also be grown by means of seedlings.
Corms should be planted in the spring, after the threat of frost can no longer arise.
