Eucomis Autumnalis

Gamine appearance with the senior chochlem leaves - so could be described South African genus Eucomis, which includes the type of Eucomis Autumnalis. Typical plume has given cibulovinám the family name. It is composed of two Greek words eu = nice comedy by = plume. Genus itself includes 10 species which is native to South Arfika. For all plants typically flower hroznovité plume with the top sheet.

Plants have different sizes, bulbs, grow various heights with various large květenstvími. Flowers are arranged in dense elongated tassels. Flowers are a wide + / - 1.2 cm, consist of 6 parted Petal, which are based on adequate, from 6 sticks and bluntly triangular trojpouzdrého ovary. Fruit is a flattened round capsule containing black or brown seeds.

Eucomis Autumnalis in our terms of species flowering in summer. Onions with an average size 8-10 cm. Rosette growing from its Wednesday at 40 cm in diameter. The leaves are lush green, rolling to the edge. The inflorescence is dense, cylindrical raceme with whitish flowers. Inflorescence grows to 40 cm výšky.Tedy at least I have seen no higher. Flowers appear from early July and bloom successively from the base of the stem upward. Thanks to the extended flowering period of a month. Even after flowering is due to an interesting-looking fruits plant is very attractive into the fall. In October the seeds ripen and begin to fall out of dry triangular capsules.

Eucomis Autumnalis is divided into three subspecies.

Eucomis Autumnalis subsp. Autumnalis (syn: Fritillaria Autumnalis, Eucomis undulata) Its incidence is on the mountain slopes, in open meadows and forest margins in the Eastern Cape, Northern Province, Zimbabwe and Malawi.

Eucomis Autumnalis subsp. clavata (syn. Eucomis robusta E. clavata). It grows in open grasslands and wetlands in KwaZulu-Natal, Lesotho, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, in the northern province of North West Province and Botswana.

Eucomis Autumnalis subsp. amaryllidifolia (syn. Eucomis amaryllidifolia). It grows among the rocks on the mountain slopes in the Eastern Cape.

From personal experience I can say that growing eukomisu is not difficult. Onions are best bets at the beginning in early March. First year after planting the plant smaller. It can happen, flowers appear until the second year. An ideal place for eukomisy from spring to autumn, outdoors, on a lightly shaded spot.

We created the garden nooks where cultivated flowering bulbs planted in pots. I call it the "Mediterranean commons". It consists of 6 large sandstone blocks. Each is 50 x 50 cm, its thickness is 10 cm. Why mention this? We have managed to create ideal conditions for species that prefer higher air humidity. That ensures a sandy area, which because of its absorption during the summer (not that this is very hot and dry) dry. From spring to autumn, here I have placed the plants more vulnerable to intense sunlight, such as Ornithogalum, Haemantus, Zantedeschia, Bletilla, Scadoxus, some Aeonia, Tigridie and Eucomisy. Sunshine here only intervenes in the afternoon, 16 to 17 hours. Which are like those types.

Eukomisů onions are quite large and the roots need plenty of room, so I would recommend a larger stone or ceramic bowl. Keep in mind that the plant remains in the container for several years, so feel free onion placed in a dish 30 cm in diameter and more. Despite the fact that they multiply subsidiary Eucomis and bulbs within three years, sometimes sooner, the vessel appears in some new plants. Soil should be maintenance of a mixture of compost, peat and fine sand at the bottom of the drainage layer. The first dressing is performed after the first opening to allow observation of tickets. Eucomisy buds fairly late, at a time when other plants already growing. The first leaves to appear sometime in late May, so it takes patience, and especially the failure of dressing, otherwise the onions begin uhnívat. First year after planting přihnojovat do not, in subsequent years hnojíme regularly. Thanks to the great flowering plant needs a lot of nutrition. I do every year after opening to allow observation I remove the top layer of soil and dosypu fresh mixture.

Dressing during the vegetation period and mainly in stocks and flower buds should be strong and regular. Substrate should remain still slightly damp. Eucomis Autumnalis form inflorescences to 35 cm high, the first white flowers appear in July. After flowering still maintains the same watering regime for a period of one month, up until mid-September (when weather telého). Then we reduce watering so that the substrate began to slowly dehydrate. It should be dry by the end of October. Then umístníme container on a protected place where stands the first frosts. Wintering absolutely dry at - 5 ° C +. The first watering is performed with the first leaves that appear from April to May. Eucomis Autumnalis is less frequent in our species. The most commonly grown Eucomis bicolor. Eucomisy are beautiful plants that you definitely deserve our attention and care.

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