Eukomis or pineapple lily: cultivation and reproduction.

Eukomis (Eukomis) - fast-growing bulbous herbaceous plant. The bulbs are large, ovoid, shiny, form a powerful root system. The leaves are collected in a basal rosette, numerous, belt-shaped, linear or lanceolate, glossy, often with brown spots in the lower part, wavy along the edge, reach 60 cm in length. Peduncle - thick elastic arrow with a bunch small leaves at the top, up to 100 cm long. The flowers are collected in a dense cylindrical long (up to 30 cm) brush, multiple, wheel-shaped, white or light green with a brown or purple tint.

Heat-loving flowering plant. Retains its decorative effect after the withering of the flower brush. It is grown both in open ground and in containers or as an indoor culture. The flowering period is June, July, some species bloom in August.

Landing Eucomis

Before the first signs of growth appear, water carefully, the soil should be slightly moist. As soon as the bulb begins to grow actively, watering is increased. Continue to water regularly and plentifully. A plant in a pot usefully takes out to the balcony for the summer. When the plant blooms, watering is reduced. Stop watering completely when the leaves turn yellow and let the flower rest until spring. At this time, you can transplant eukomis, separate the children. Until spring, the flower is not watered.

AT open ground Eukomis is planted in June to eliminate the possibility of frost. Deepen the bulb by 2.5-3.5 cm. For planting choose sunny place, without drafts. The soil is loose, rich in humus, drained. After the appearance of the peduncle, the plant is fertilized every two weeks with a complex mineral fertilizer.

AT southern regions the bulb can be left to winter in the soil, covered with dry leaves. The plant in a pot is transferred to a cool room. Since the development of the bulb consumes a lot nutrients from the soil, it becomes poor. In autumn or spring, be sure to transplant the bulb into fresh soil.

1. crested eucomis - blooms greenish-white, cream, purple or pink flowers. The flower arrow reaches a height of up to 1 m. The leaves are covered with purple dots.
2. eukomis bicolor (bicolor) - one of the most common species. It got its name for its original color: the flowers themselves are light green in color, and the edges of the petals, stamens and ovaries are burgundy in color, the leaves on the underside are covered with brownish spots. The peduncle grows up to 0.6 m in height.
3. eukomis dotted - medium tall species (0.3-0.6 m.), hallmark which is the presence of bluish-red specks on the peduncles and the reverse side of the leaves.
4. eukomis wavy - a compact low plant (up to 0.45 m tall) with long leaves wavy along the edges without a characteristic speckled pattern.
5. eukomis autumn - undersized perennial(0.2-0.3 m) with a large bulb (8-11 cm). It blooms with white or cream flowers. Blooms later than other species. Tolerates slight frosts.

Cultivation and care of Eucomis

Since this plant is thermophilic, it must be dug up for the winter. You can grow it in pots buried in the ground. Eukomis also grows in spacious, well-drained containers. If you have bright window, then bulbs stored in the refrigerator can be planted for germination in a container as early as March, and if northern, wait until April.

Care The main care consists in regular watering of the plant and top dressing. Watering is stopped when the leaves of the flower turn yellow. The plant begins a dormant period, which lasts until spring. It is recommended to store the bulb at a temperature not higher than 11 degrees. This is usually the bottom shelf in the refrigerator. When stored in room conditions you won't get beautiful flowering. The bulb can be put in a paper bag.

Top dressing is carried out 2-3 times for the whole season. But it is important to know that Eukomis does not like fertilizers, which include nitrogen.

Eukomis growing in the garden

Eucomis bicolor (Eucomis bicolor) Eucomis turned out to have strong, belt-like leaves with a glossy tint, they looked almost straight up, only slightly deviating to the sides, even under pressure strong wind they kept with that one.

I was looking forward to when it would bloom, and at the end of June a thick arrow appeared from the middle of the plant, which quickly grew to almost half a meter.

And along its entire length, many buds began to bloom, and then flowers began to bloom from bottom to top, similar to white stars. I had to explain to her that it was just a flower, but she did not let up and from time to time came to me and looked to see if the pineapple was ripe.

Outdoor cultivation Eucomis

It is possible to plant eukomis in open ground only when the soil warms up enough and the threat of frost disappears, since many species do not tolerate cold. Seedlings must be hardened off before planting. To do this, you need to lower the temperature for 2-3 weeks for 5-8 hours. Eucomis seedlings should be planted at a sufficient distance from each other: 20-25 in a row and 40-50 between rows. For the southern regions, germination is not required, the bulbs are planted immediately in open ground.

Reproduction Eucomis

Children appear on the mother plant during active growth. They can be separated when the eucomis is at rest. Features of the variety with such reproduction are preserved. Another way to propagate a plant is seeds. After collecting the seeds, they are sown in containers. The seedling will bloom only in the third year. In this case, it is possible to obtain a completely new plant, different from the mother in terms of leaves and color of flowers.

Difficulties in growing "Pineapple flower" The main difficulty that can be encountered in growing eucomis is the rotting of the bulb. To avoid this, you need to properly store the bulb during the dormant period. In spring and summer, follow the rules of watering, avoiding moisture stagnation.

Diseases and pests Eucomis

The main problem of eucomis is the rotting of the bulbs. To prevent bulb rot, bulbs must be properly stored during the dormant period. It can be affected by mealybugs, spider mites, aphids, whiteflies, etc. Pest control is carried out using appropriate insecticide-acaricidal preparations.

Watering Eucomis

• In winter - no watering
• In summer - plentiful

Eucomis transplantation: annually in the spring. Good drainage. Earth mixture: sand, humus and sod land (1: 1: 1).

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Use of Eukomis in landscape design

Exotic eukomis immediately attracts attention, can become a bright decoration of any flower garden. The possibility of growing in containers allows you to use the pineapple lily as a mobile decoration of the garden, porch, gazebo or balcony. Structural clear forms make the plant self-sufficient in single plantings.

For joint landings coniferous perennials, gerberas, ground cover annuals will be excellent partners. In rose gardens, eukomis will become bright accent during flowering, and then decorate it with their glossy beautiful leaves. Peduncles are suitable for cutting and decorating author's bouquets.

Eucomis - very exotic plant and is rarely found in flower beds. It is not difficult to grow it, and unusual "pineapple" inflorescences will become a decoration of the garden and the pride of the grower.

Do you want to decorate your garden with exotic flowers, but are afraid of difficulties in planting and care? Eukomis (eukomis), the cultivation of which even a novice grower can do, will debunk these fears.

This native of the African rainforests has an original pineapple-like inflorescence: lily-shaped flowers are tightly collected on a flower arrow, at the end of which a rosette of bracts flaunts.

In this regard, he received his names " pineapple palm"," tufted lily.

Eukomis has an unusual inflorescence, similar in appearance to pineapple

Eukomis blooms in waves, and therefore, it retains its decorative effect for a long time. In addition, despite its tropical origin, it is quite unpretentious in growing conditions.

Types of eucomis

From 14 types of pineapple palm some of them are cultivated in horticulture:

Eucomis crested - blooms with greenish-white, cream, purple or pink flowers. The flower arrow reaches a height of up to 1 m. The leaves are covered with purple dots. Its cultivation in open ground is possible only in the southern regions;

Eukomis bicolor (bicolor) is one of the most common species. It got its name for its original color: the flowers themselves are light green in color, and the edges of the petals, stamens and ovaries are burgundy in color, the leaves on the underside are covered with brownish spots. The peduncle grows up to 0.6 m in height. Flowering begins in the second half of summer;

Eukomis dotted - a medium-sized species (0.3-0.6 m), a distinctive feature of which is the presence of brown-red specks on the peduncles and the reverse side of the leaves. Up to 100 flowers are formed on the brush;

Eukomis wavy is a compact low plant (up to 0.45 m tall) with long leaves wavy along the edges without a characteristic speckled pattern. The inflorescence is dense, contains up to 50 flowers. The bracts also have a wave-like shape;

Eukomis autumn is a low-growing perennial (0.2-0.3 m) with a large bulb (8-11 cm). It blooms with white or cream flowers. Blooms later than other species. Tolerates slight frosts.

Reproduction and cultivation of eukomis (photo)

Pineapple palm can be grown from seeds and baby bulbs. The easiest and most effective way is bulbous cultivation.

When buying bulbs in a specialized store, they should be carefully inspected. Healthy bulbs are elastic, they do not have putrefactive spots, their bottoms are dry, the scales fit snugly together.

If you already have a tufted lily growing on your site, then you can collect your own planting material. During flowering, babies form on the main bulb. They are separated in the fall after digging up the mother bulb for storage for the winter. Places of separation are powdered with charcoal powder. After planting material is stored in a cool dry room. With this method of reproduction, varietal characteristics are preserved mother plant.

In regions with a temperate and cool climate, eukomis is pre-germinated at home. In March, the bulbs are planted in pots with a light fertile soil. It is made up of equal parts of leaf and sod land, humus, peat, sand. Each bulb is planted in a separate pot, at the bottom of which drainage is necessarily done (expanded clay, pebbles, broken brick).

Advice! The bulb is planted so that its top is slightly higher or at ground level.

Proper planting of the eucomis bulb

Planting material is pre-treated with a fungicidal (Maxim, Fundazol, blue vitriol) solution to prevent fungal infections

After planting, eukomis is watered carefully. At first, watering is minimal. During the active growing season, the volume and number of waterings are increased.

Important! Water bulbous plants along the edge of the pot.

For enthusiastic gardeners, it will be interesting to grow a pineapple palm from leafy cuttings. To do this, at the base of the rosette, a sheet is separated and cut into pieces 4-6 cm long. The cuttings are stuck to a depth of 2-2.5 cm into a loose mixture of peat (perlite) and sand. The bowl with landings is moistened, covered with a film to create high humidity or placed in a greenhouse. Periodically, the cuttings are aired. The formation of young bulbs on the lower cut of the cutting occurs after 2-2.5 months. After that, each plant is transplanted into separate cups.

Eucomis seed propagation rarely gives positive results, as the seeds quickly lose their germination. For this reason, they are sown immediately after harvest. Plants from seeds begin to bloom only at 3-5 years of vegetation and often do not retain varietal characteristics.

Eucomis planting

Plants must be hardened off 2-3 weeks before transplanting into the garden. They are taken out to the balcony or terrace and left for a while, daily increasing the period of "walk". As soon as the soil in the garden warms up (end of May), eukomis can be planted.

In the southern regions, the pineapple palm is planted without pre-germination at home.

When planting eucomis between plants, leave 15-20 cm in a row and 30-40 cm between rows.

Eucomis care

Despite its “exoticism”, eukomis is unpretentious in care. But this does not mean that this plant does not need care. When grown outdoors, it needs a well-lit place, protected from strong winds. In the shadow pineapple lily will not bloom or bloom will be poor.

She prefers loose fertile soils with a neutral pH.

The irrigation regime of this exotic has its own nuances. After planting, the bulbs are watered minimally, avoiding water on them. As soon as active leaf growth begins, watering is gradually increased. During flowering or hot weather, plants are watered abundantly. After flowering, the pineapple lily begins a dormant period. Therefore, watering begins to be reduced and completely stopped when all the leaves turn yellow.

Eukomis likes to "deliciously eat". They begin to feed it after the plant has "woken up" and started to grow. Every 2 weeks it is watered with a solution of complex mineral fertilizer without nitrogen content. When flowering ends, top dressing is stopped.

Since eukomis is a heat-loving plant, it does not tolerate wintering in the open field. After the leaves die, the bulbs are dug up, disinfected in a weak solution of potassium permanganate or fungicide and dried. Store them in paper bags or canvas bags in a cool, dry place (cellar or refrigerator).

When growing eukomis in room conditions, it is left in a pot for a dormant period, and in the spring the soil is replaced.

Possible problems when planting and caring for eucomis

Untimely yellowing of the leaves, the appearance of brown spots with mold on them indicates the development of fungal diseases. This happens with improper care, namely with excessive watering. In this case, the flower must be pulled out of the ground, inspect the bulb. If it is not badly damaged, then putrefactive spots are removed, and it itself is treated with a fungicide and transplanted into a new soil.

With a lack of lighting and low air temperature, the flowering of eucomis is inhibited or does not occur at all.

Of the pests, the pineapple palm is often affected by spider mites, aphids and scale insects. To combat them, acaricides and insecticides are used.

- a pineapple. That's what people call Eucomis. The buds in its inflorescence are concentrated around the peduncle, creating a semblance of a barrel. At its top is a bunch of oblong leaves.

We see a similar one on pineapples. However, there are no more "points of contact" between the tropical fruit and the flower of the Hyacinth group. To see this, let us continue the description of Eukomis.

Description and features of Eukomis

Eucomis flower belongs to the Lily family. Accordingly, bulbous. There are several bulbs underground. They are large and oval. The root system of the hero of the article is distinguished by its power and speed of development.

So, Eucomis landing problematic as a potted plant. Large flowerpots are required. The way out is undersized varieties Eucomis. cultivation perhaps, for example, in balcony containers.

More often lily Eucomis flaunts in the gardens. By the way, about the beauty. The name was given by Charles Louis Peretier de Brutel. This is a French botanist, lived in the 18th century.

Looking at the bunch of leaves at the top of the Eukomis inflorescence, Brutel remembered Greek words eu and kome. The first concept is translated as "beautiful". The word kome means "tuft". In general, it turns out a "beautiful-haired" flower.

Whirlwind on Eukomis is bract leaves. This is the name of the green, from the sinuses of which buds or shoots bearing them come out. By the way, ordinary leaves emerging from Eucomis bulbs, also oblong-lanceolate in shape and also assembled into a rosette. The basal bunch of greenery from below is “splashed” with purple spots. They are also found on the upper tail of the leaves.

There are no stains back side green Eukomis only in a couple of species. In general, there are only 14 of them. 4 are considered cultural. We will talk about them in a separate chapter. In the meantime, back to the buds of the hero of the article.

In shape, its flowers resemble stars with 5 petals. Forming cylindrical inflorescences, they are then converted into boxes with seeds. Triribular fruits. They form 20-100 centimeters from the ground. This is the height range different varieties Eucomis. Let's get acquainted with the options.

Types and varieties of Eukomis

Recall 4 decorative species. They are all perennials, but middle lane and, moreover, they do not hibernate in the sharply continental zone. You will either have to move the bulbs into the house, like hyacinths, or plant new ones every year. Pineapple lily Eucomis originally from Africa, which explains the plant's love of warmth.

The most frost-resistant is Eukomis "Autumn". He is also attracted by his short stature. Peduncles rise to a level of 20-30 centimeters. Pictured is Eukomis"Autumn" pleases with flowers, when there are almost none left around.

Hence the name of the species. The buds on its representatives are formed all summer, even in September, pleasing. Some use cut eukomis for bouquets for Knowledge Day.

EucomisBicolor or "Two-color" stretches 40-60 centimeters. In the cultivar Alba, the greens are monochromatic. Greenish and buds of "Two-color" Eucomis. cultivation it gives "fruits" by September.

In the photo, eukomis bicolor

Blooming by autumn, they are distinguished by their large size and tight fit on the shoot-base. Bracts purple. Hence, in fact, the name of the species.

Eukomis "Crested" became the first of the cultivated, grown since 1778. It was about "Crested" that Charles Louis Peretier de Brutel once spoke. He gave a description. Greens, including flower stalks, are dotted with spots.

In the cultivar Scricta, they are transformed into brown-red stripes. Perianths can be of the same color. There are 2 more color options: pink and whitish.

Grown in culture and Eukomis "Pole Evans". It is larger than others, reaches a meter height. The inflorescences of Evans are also large, the buds in them are greenish-white. In horticulture, Eukomis "Pole" is a rare guest because of the whimsical care, in particular, the requirements of high temperatures.

Planting and caring for Eucomis

Eucomis "Bicolor", "Autumn", "Crests" and "Pole Evans" are planted in late May - early June. Night temperature should be from 9 degrees and above.

These are the conditions for planting seeds in open ground. They germinate for about a month. Therefore, many grow Eukomis seedlings at home, so that by the summer there will already be greenery in the flower beds.

In the photo, eukomis is pale-leaved

For seedlings, seeds, respectively, are planted at the end of April. Germination is average. Germinates, as a rule, every 3-4th seed. Therefore, some prefer buy Eucomis in bulbs. Plants from them bloom in the first year. Shoots from seeds, sometimes, give buds only for the 3rd summer.

Healthy Eukomis bulbs are distinguished by a dry bottom, elasticity, dense fit of scales and the absence of rot or mold. These can be bought, or disconnected from the one already on the site.

Baby bulbs on it are formed during the flowering period. Offspring are separated from the mother by autumn. It is important to powder the cut points of small onions. Wounds become a gateway for infections and a temptation for rot.

Wintering of Eukomis, or rather its bulbs, passes in dryness and coolness. Planting material is placed in them at the end of September, having previously washed, disinfected and dried, packed in paper or natural fabric. AT polyethylene film, for example, air access to the bulbs is blocked. Ventilation is a must for them.

Most often, gardeners use a refrigerator to store Eukomis bulbs. Planting material is placed in the vegetable compartment. If it is busy, the bulbs will survive the winter at room temperature in pots with dry soil. It is enough just to spray it once every 1-2 weeks.

The bulbs leave the "sleeping" room at the end of March. Eukomis is planted in pots with turf, humus, peat, sand and leafy soil. They are taken in equal amounts. A similar soil is desirable in the garden.

Eukomis loves a light and fertile substrate. The bulbs in it sprout in 2.5-3.5 weeks. It takes another month to grow, and then it can be transferred to open ground.

Plants grown from bulbs become 100% copies of their parents. the seeds are often different from the original. However, in order for the bulb to sprout, you need to plant it correctly. It is impossible to bury completely. The top of the bulb is flush with the ground, or rises above it by a couple of centimeters.

Bulbs will be watered along the edge of the flowerpot. Planting material is afraid of moisture, it can rot. Therefore, 1-1.5 weeks after planting, the bulb is not given water at all. In addition to rotting, moisture provokes the development of fungi.

Protection against fungi is carried out at the bulb stage. It is treated with a solution blue vitriol. Treatment from other pests is also recommended to be carried out in advance in the form of prevention. 8 sheets on seedlings are enough to use funds from powdery mildew, ticks and aphids.

Other care behind Eucomis reduced to the choice of windless and sunny areas. They are actively watered only during the period of active growth. Moist soil is loosened. Compacting the earth, the water closes the "pores" in it. These are the oxygen inlets. Without his supplies, Eukomis will wither away.

In the photo, eukomis bicolor

Demanding hero of the article and k. You need minerals. They are applied to the ground every 14 days. Water-soluble top dressings are desirable.

It is no secret that plants can receive and assimilate microelements only in the form of solutions. The main thing is that they lack nitrogen. Eukomis cannot stand him. Respectively, organic top dressing alien to culture.

Eukomis in landscape design

The hero of the article has structural and clear forms. These decorate any flower garden. Tall varieties, as a rule, are located in the central parts of the compositions, and low varieties along their periphery.

Eukomis also looks advantageous in splendid isolation. With this landing, there is no need to select partners. The hero of the article does not get along with everyone. Location "deserve" coniferous perennials, and ground cover annuals.

The latter include Arabis, Grass, Thyme and Roofing Young. In other words, we are talking about undersized and bushy, covering the ground like a carpet.

Planting eucomis with bulbs

Eukomis has a decorative look not only in buds, but also in leaves. This combination makes the hero of the article a permanent decoration of flower beds. So that they do not have to be thinned out, the bulbs are planted at a distance of 15-20 centimeters from each other. Find out how much planting material costs.

Price and reviews about Eukomis

Bulbs can be purchased individually or in sets. For a package of 6 assorted pieces, they ask for about 600 rubles. One bulb costs 60-300 rubles, depending on the type of variety.

A package of pineapple lily seeds can be taken for 30 rubles. There are few offers because the demand is low. 80% of gardeners, judging by their reviews, grow exotic flower from bulbs.

Here is what a certain Nisa writes about this on one of the Internet forums: “I planted it in the ground at the end of April. Seedlings appeared in early June. I thought it wouldn't grow. Apparently, she stuck the bulbs early. But, you can wait. A very beautiful wave."

Nisa attached a photo to her message. On it is Eukomis "Bicolor". It is the most popular among gardeners and landscape designers. The latter include Vera Shelest.

In the same forum, she noted: “I most often have bicolor varieties in raised center beds. I take large bulbs. They usually produce 2 flower stalks. The composition is brighter and more voluminous.

It remains, so to speak from the editors, to add a fly in the ointment to a cup of honey. Eukomis smells peculiar. For most people, the scent is unpleasant. But, the smell attracts flies, bees, a number of beetles. In general, we are preparing for the invasion of insects. Without them, the African guest does not "pass" to the site.

In the genus perennials the hyacinth family has an amazing representative - eukomis. Or as it is also called pineapple lily. It reaches, depending on the classification, from 25 to 100 cm. The flowering period continues throughout the summer season. Flowers are snow white, pale pink, purple and green. This herbaceous bulbous garden plant grows very fast. strong root system It is formed from a shiny, massive bulb of an ovoid shape. Multiple leaflets of various shapes (belt-shaped, linear, glossy) form a rosette at the root.

The peduncle can reach up to one meter. Externally, it is represented by an elastic arrow with large quantity small leaves. Flowers form a cylindrical brush. The perianth consists of six fused lobes. As a fruit, the plant forms a box of three faces. Florists are grown both in containers and in the ground in an open area.

Application in landscape design

The culture is valued by gardeners for its long beautiful flowering and the preservation of decorative qualities after it. With its exotic appearance pineapple lily anywhere in the garden attracts attention. When planting eucomis in a container, it is later used as a mobile design element, placed in different places.

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Works well as a single composition. A clear shape, structure and bright long flowering will look original on a green lawn or a small hill near the house.

Also used in . A representative of the flora can become a bright contrast that sets the tone for the entire composition. Favorably emphasize the greatness of the stones. Beautiful glossy leaves can be safely combined with any culture.

Undeservedly, eukomis is rarely planted in flower beds.

Combination with other plants

Most often, pineapple lily is determined in a group planting with annual ground-blood garden plantings and gerberas. Such a voluminous self-sufficient composition will fit into any landscape style and will retain its external attractiveness until the very cold weather.

In a flower bed, a pineapple lily is combined with plants such as:

• lobelia;
• alyssum.

Plant propagation

Breeding culture occurs in two ways:

seeds

Planting material is purchased in specialized stores or collected independently in September. Often gardeners use a little trick: they do not wait until the seeds are ripe so as not to weaken the mother plant. They cut the arrow on their own. It must be put in a container filled with water, and wait until the box dries. Then you can extract the seeds. They are located in seed pods. They are sown for seedlings. Immediately after harvest, plant them in a container with nutrient soil.

In the spring, once the danger of frost has passed, seedlings can be planted on permanent place habitat. With its flowering, the plant will please the gardener only after 3 years. It can be completely different from the mother plant in color and foliage.

In countries with a warm climate, seeds can be planted immediately in open ground. Then flowering will decorate the garden next year.

child bulbs

During the active phase of growth near an adult plant, new ones are formed - “kids”. With the onset of dormancy, they are carefully separated and planted in prepared soil. The child must be processed in disinfectant solution, then warm water. Almost the entire daughter bulb is immersed in the hole, only a small piece remains on the surface. Already after 7-10 days the first sprout will appear and the garden planting will begin its rapid growth. The distance between them must be at least 40 cm.

Irrigation is done with water room temperature of necessity. This method allows you to save all varietal characteristics. The place of separation must be processed. For this, crushed charcoal. Otherwise, there is a risk of infection with fungal diseases.

Landing and care

Site selection and soil preparation

Eukomis is unpretentious and does not require much time to care for him. For landing, an open area is selected with a sufficient amount sunlight protected from gusty winds.

Preference is given to light soil, with a good drainage layer (fragments of stone, brick or gravel). It needs to be added river sand. The plant does not tolerate stagnant moisture.

Watering and fertilizing

Watering is carried out rarely, as needed. The representative of the flora tolerates drought much better than ground or melt water. The rule is violated only during active growth. In this case, regular and plentiful watering is necessary. After it, the soil is loosened and mulched to reduce the evaporation of moisture. As soon as the leaves begin to turn yellow, watering must be stopped.

Pineapple lilies need regular fertilizer. To bloom was lush and plentiful, use integrated mineral supplement every 14 days. The fertilizer dissolves in water. Under no circumstances should nitrogen compounds be used.

Diseases and pests of pineapple lily

The main problem for eucomis is bulb rot. This is the result of improper watering or storage. planting material. Culture is also under attack. aphid, mealybug, spider mite and whitefly. It is necessary to fight pests with solutions of special means.

Species diversity of eucomis

The genus includes more than 10 species. The most popular of them in garden design:

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• Wavy. Long belt-like leaves about 40 cm, wavy edges, no characteristic black dots. In a close brush is located from 40 to 50 flowers. Bracts are represented by numerous pale green hue, wavy shape.
• red stem. The leaves are spiky in shape. Bracts of traditional colors: red-purple and purple. Green color edging adds eccentricity.
• crested. Most often found in gardens. It reaches a height of up to 85 cm, a brush up to 30 cm. The color of the flowers is purple, pale green and pink.

Eukomis (eukomis) - translated means "beautiful tuft", bulbous plant, of the hyacinth family. perennial, native to South Africa. But lately it has been gaining more and more popularity in our regions.

Eucomis can be grown as potted plant or garden. Eukomis grows quickly, pleases with flowering in summer, in June-July. The blossoming inflorescence has a similarity with pineapple, for which he received the name "Pineapple Flower". The genus includes 14 species. Attracts flower growers long flowering, originality and its high decorative effect.

Features of caring for Eucomis

Eucomis unusual plant and not quite adapted to our climatic conditions, but it is easy to grow and care for it. The flower looks great in the garden, both in single and group planting. Nearby it is good to plant geykhera, lobelia.

The main care is regular watering of the plant and top dressing. Watering is stopped when the leaves of the flower turn yellow. The plant begins a dormant period, which lasts until spring. It is recommended to store the bulb at a temperature not higher than 11 degrees. This is usually the bottom shelf in the refrigerator. When stored at room conditions, you will not get beautiful flowering. The bulb can be put in a paper bag.

Top dressing is carried out 2-3 times for the whole season. But it is important to know that Eucomis does not like fertilizers, which include nitrogen.

Landing Eucomis

It is recommended to plant the bulb in April - May. It is better to immediately decide where you will grow a flower, in open ground or in a pot. The earth is prepared loose, nutritious, with a neutral reaction. If planting in a pot, make drainage. The bulb is not deepened. So the flower will wake up after winter period rest and will not rot when watered.

Before the first signs of growth appear, water carefully, the soil should be slightly moist. As soon as the bulb begins to grow actively, watering is increased. Continue to water regularly and plentifully. A plant in a pot usefully takes out to the balcony for the summer. When the plant blooms, watering is reduced. Stop watering completely when the leaves turn yellow and let the flower rest until spring. At this time, you can transplant eukomis, separate the children. Until spring, the flower is not watered.

Eukomis is planted in open ground in June to exclude the possibility of frost. Deepen the bulb by 2.5-3.5 cm. For planting choose a sunny place, without drafts. The soil is loose, rich in humus, drained. After the appearance of the peduncle, the plant is fertilized every two weeks with a complex mineral fertilizer.

In the southern regions, the bulb can be left to winter in the soil, covered with dry leaves. The plant in a pot is transferred to a cool room. Since the development of the bulb consumes a lot of nutrients from the soil, it becomes poor. In autumn or spring, be sure to transplant the bulb into fresh soil.

Reproduction Eucomis

Children appear on the mother plant during active growth. They can be separated when the eucomis is at rest. Features of the variety with such reproduction are preserved. Another way to propagate a plant is seeds. After collecting the seeds, they are sown in containers. The seedling will bloom only in the third year. In this case, it is possible to obtain a completely new plant, different from the mother in terms of leaves and color of flowers.

Difficulties in growing "Pineapple flower" The main difficulty that can be encountered in growing eucomis is the rotting of the bulb. To avoid this, you need to properly store the bulb during the dormant period. In spring and summer, follow the rules of watering, avoiding moisture stagnation.