Eukomis - Lily With A Tuft

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Outwardly, eukomis looks very exotic and original, somewhat resembling a pineapple on a high stem. He will be able to betray the unusual charm of any garden bed, pond composition or window sill in the apartment. The decorative properties of the flower are complemented by its wonderful aroma, which attracts many pollinating insects to the site

A flower with a "good hair"

Belonging to the Liliaceae family, eukomis (eukomis) is the closest relative of lilies, hyacinths, poultry farms, etc. In England, it has been successfully bred for over 200 years, and it was from the shores of foggy Albion that the flower was brought to Russia. The plant was named by the Greek phrase, literally sounding like "good hair." Indeed, the hairstyle of eukomis is rather unusual: a tuft of leaves is adorned with a lush flower ear, due to which the popular name of the flower is “crested lily”.

The most common plant can be found in South Africa, especially in its Cape province - the birthplace of eukomis. It is divided into two types: two-color and point. The flowers of the first look more attractive, however, the second has a more pleasant and strong aroma. The main color of the flowers of most species is greenish-white, in some cases diluted in the tuft with purple shades. At the same time, new varieties have a wide variety in shades - purple, and red, and yellow …

Decorative pineapple

Often, eukomis is also called "imaginary pineapple" due to its external resemblance to this fruit. The leaves of the flower are belt-shaped and reach a length of 60 cm. They are colored light green and are collected in a rosette, forming a thick peduncle, in which small leaves are decorated in lush bunches, similar to crests. The numerous flowers of the plant are small in size. They are combined into cylindrical inflorescences, braiding the peduncle. The six petals that make up the inflorescence are star-shaped and have a purple border.

The crested lily is an ornamental plant. And she is quite unpretentious in leaving. Long flowering, for which the plant is highly valued, attracts pollinating insects. Even without flowers, the stalks look adorable and are great for cutting. The peduncle begins to advance after the developed 5-6 rosette leaves. The plant looks great in the neighborhood with various flowers, as well as independently.

Do not bury the bulbs

It is recommended to store purchased eukomis bulbs in a place where the temperature does not exceed 10 ° C. The flower is planted in March-April. The landing site should be sunny and not too windy. It is better that the soil has coarse sand, good drainage and humus. If you plan to grow eukomis on the windowsill, then the pots should be deep and individual for each plant.

It is not necessary to deepen the bulbs too much - their tops should be left at the substrate level. This promotes growth stimulation and prevents bulb decay. Until the sprouts appear, watering must be carried out carefully so that excess moisture does not accumulate around. As soon as the first leaves hatch, watering is carried out more often, and the plant needs abundant and regular drinking during the growing season. It is necessary to feed the eukomis three times per season (when the leaves grow back, buds are formed during the flowering period). For this, liquid, organic fertilizers are taken. Top dressing is carried out in spring and summer.

Will not be able to winter in the ground

The optimum temperature for a plant in summer is 20-25C, and 5C in winter. Eukomis grown in pots should be taken out to the balcony for the summer, because the aroma during flowering is quite sugary and sweet. Watering after the flowers have wither is limited and stopped after the leaves turn yellow. During the dormant period, which begins in the fall, it is good to do plant transplantation and separation of children. The bulb can be simply removed and stored in the refrigerator, after covering it with sand or peat.

In the open field for the winter, the plant should not be left. This heat-loving flower is likely to freeze. Dig it out at the end of September, separating it from the stem and the children that have formed on the bulb. If there is no room for the plant bulbs in the refrigerator, then it is quite possible to keep them in the cellar.

Known in medicine

Eukomis propagates by children and seeds. Often, eukomises grown from seeds lose their original color, and this is not observed when the children are divided. Sown sprouts bloom only in the third year. It is worth protecting the plant from mealybugs, cobweb mites, aphids.

Some varieties of crested lilies are used with success in medicine. But it is worth remembering that eating a large number of bulbs can lead to poisoning, since they are quite toxic. In South Africa, a decoction of eukomis is used in the treatment of rheumatism.