Zephyranthes

Family. Amaryllidaceae.

Homeland of the plant. Central America.

Description. Zephyranthes are bulbous perennials with shiny, grooved leaves. 

Leafless flower stalks up to 17 cm high bear single, showy large flowers - white, salmon, pink, yellow, often fragrant, sometimes similar to crocus flowers, with six petals forming a funnel. The diameter of the flowers reaches 7.5 cm, each flower remains open for several days.

The buds most often open in the evening hours, when twilight sets in.

From each  bulb with a diameter of about 2.5 cm, several flat, long, dark green, belt-shaped leaves 25 - 30 cm long appear. Depending on the varietal characteristics, the diameter of the bulb can be 1 - 5 cm.

During the flowering period, the plants emit a subtle sweetish aroma.

Plants in the genus Zephyranthes are sometimes called "rain lilies" because they bloom immediately after long rains. The name "upstart" is given because the growth of zephyranthes occurs very quickly, and flower stalks often appear even before the leaves form.

Height. About 30 cm.

Growing in open ground

Bulbs are planted in open ground in the spring - in April or in the summer - in June, depending on the timing of flowering for a particular variety.

For cultivation, a sufficiently illuminated area, but shaded from the midday rays, located on a hill, is selected. Places in lowlands or with shallow groundwater are not suitable for planting.

They dig up the area for planting and prepare planting holes so that the bulbs are at a depth 3 times greater than their height. 

The planting pattern may be different, since zephyranthes can be used in single or group plantings.

At the bottom of the holes you can place a small layer of drainage in the form of river sand, on which the bulbs with straightened roots are installed.

After planting, the plants are watered with a small amount of warm water.

The plant does not tolerate wintering well in harsh climates, so in mid-autumn, when the zephyranthes has finished blooming and its foliage has dried out, the bulbs are dug up, dried and stored in a cool place until spring.

Zephyranthes - home care

Soil 

Moist, organically rich, well-drained soil. 

The mixture for growing can be prepared independently from such components as light turf and leaf soil; organic matter is used to add additional nutrients - for example, humus or well-rotted cow or horse manure.

To improve drainage, coarse river sand, perlite or vermiculite are mixed into the soil.

Zephyranthes prefers to be in neutral or slightly acidic soil with a pH of no more than 6.0.

When zephyranthes blooms 

The time of flowering varies depending on the variety - from spring to autumn. Each flower remains open and attractive for 3 to 5 days.

When grown at home, flowering can occur at any time of the year - depending on living conditions, which is why zephyranthes is often used for forcing. With good care, flowering can occur several times a year. 

Reproduction

They are propagated by bulbs - babies, which can be separated in the fall during digging or in the spring and planted at a depth of 2.5 - 5 cm, depending on the diameter.

Each adult plant in just one season, with sufficient nutrition and good care, can form 10-15 children per season. Divide the nest of bulbs carefully, using your hands, trying to cause minimal damage to the bulbs.

Only those bulbs that have a sufficiently developed root system are planted separately. Children are planted in a moist substrate with a loose and porous structure.

Plants begin to be watered only when the first shoots appear. The container with the babies is placed in a well-lit place with shade from direct sunlight.

Plants obtained from bulbs bloom at about 2 years of age. 

Seeds that germinate quickly. Freshly harvested seeds have the greatest germination; 6 months after collection, germination already leaves much to be desired. Fresh planting material comes out with a probability of more than 95 percent.

For propagation, you can use your own collected seeds. To form planting material, plants will need artificial pollination, which is carried out with a dry and clean brush, transferring pollen from one flower to another.

For reproduction, only seeds that are fully ripened on the flower are used - this process takes about 8 weeks. After pollination, the plant forms seed pods, a sign of ripening of which will be complete drying right on the flower.

1. As a pre-sowing preparation, the seeds are soaked for several hours in warm water with the addition of growth hormones.
2. Sowing of seeds is carried out in the spring, using a plastic transparent container with a lid.
3.  Drainage holes are made at the bottom of the container, and 1 - 2 cm of drainage in the form of fine expanded clay is poured onto the bottom.
4. Seeds are sown in nutritious and loose soil based on peat with the addition of river sand.
5. The crops are thoroughly sprayed with warm water from a fine spray bottle.
6. From above, the planting material is covered with a thin layer of soil 7 - 10 mm thick. or sprinkle with the same layer of river sand. When planting, the distance between seeds is maintained at about 2 - 3 cm.
7. Crops are placed in a well-lit place, protected from direct sunlight.
8. The room temperature should be 22 - 24 degrees Celsius.
9. To create a greenhouse effect and maintain air humidity at a high level, the container with seedlings is covered with glass or a lid.

Every day, the seedlings are ventilated by raising the shelter and removing accumulated condensation from it. Over time, ventilation is gradually increased and after sprouts appear (usually within a month), the shelter is removed completely. 

When each flower has 2 - 3 true leaves, a pick is made - the plants are carefully planted in small individual cups, trying to minimally disturb the root system.

To make the bushes look dense, you can pick 3 - 4 flowers into one glass.

After diving, after 7 - 10 days, you can feed the flowers for the first time with a very weak solution of fertilizers with a high nitrogen content, which will allow the formation of sufficient green mass.

This method of propagation is suitable only for patient gardeners, since plants obtained from seeds bloom only after 2 - 3 years. 

Transplant 

At the end of winter or early spring, annually or as the pot capacity is filled, the bulbs are planted in nutritious soil.

Choose a pot for zephyranthes that is not too large, with good drainage holes. Only plants grown in relatively close quarters will bloom abundantly.

The most preferable would be shallow unglazed clay pots, the walls of which will allow moisture and air to pass through to the root system. You should not grow flowers in dark plastic pots - if their walls are exposed to direct sunlight, the bulbs may overheat.

• A thick layer of drainage is poured onto the bottom of the pot and half of the volume is filled with nutritious loose soil. 
• When transplanting, each sufficiently spacious pot can accommodate up to 10 bulbs. Maintain a distance of at least 3 cm between the bulbs.
• If a single planting is planned, then a distance of 2 cm should remain between the walls of the pot and the bulb.
• Before planting, the root system of the bulbs is carefully inspected and, if necessary, old and rotten roots are cut off.
• The bulbs are treated with fungicidal preparations.
• When planting bulbs with a long neck, you should not bury them - the tops may even protrude slightly above the soil surface. Planting material of a more flattened shape with a short neck can be completely immersed in the soil to a shallow depth.
•  After planting, the substrate around the plants is lightly compacted to remove air pockets.

You should not immediately water the planted bulbs - fresh soil contains a certain amount of moisture, and since the plants do not yet have sufficient green mass, excess moisture will only contribute to the appearance of rot.  After planting, you can limit yourself to watering with a small amount of water.

The second watering is carried out only when signs of new growth appear.

They begin to feed the flower when sprouts appear, using mineral fertilizers for flowering plants.

Watering 

From the moment the bulbs are planted, the flower begins to be watered little by little with well-settled water at room temperature.

The first waterings should be quite sparse - after planting the bulbs, the flower needs a few more days to form leaves that will evaporate the moisture.

Watering should become abundant and regular as new growth begins and before flowering, then gradually reduce watering and allow the plant to go into a dormant state.

In spring and summer, between waterings, cover the surface of the substrate to a depth of 1 - 2 cm. should dry out.

Do not allow waterlogging or stagnation of water at the roots or in the tray - zephyranthes will better tolerate a short drought.

When grown in too dry soil, zephyranthes do not bloom - they go into hibernation.

In winter, water as little as possible, just to keep the soil from drying out completely.

Excess moisture that appears in the tray after watering should be drained after a few minutes, as the bulbs can rot if there is excess moisture. 

Plants respond well to bottom watering, which is carried out using the immersion method - place the container with the flower in a large container of water for several minutes and allow it to drain.

Top watering will be especially dangerous in the period before new growth begins - when droplets of moisture fall directly on the neck of the bulb; it is also better to use bottom watering after removing the peduncle.

If before the onset of the dormant period the plant has dropped its leaves, then watering is minimized, simply protecting the substrate from drying out completely.

Diseases and pests 

There are no particular problems if the flower is maintained with proper care. 

• Zephyranthes does not bloom in insufficient light or in pots that are too spacious.
• Flowering will also not occur if the cool and dry dormancy regime is not observed.
• Burying the bulbs too deeply will result in delayed flowering or no flowers.
• Overheating of the root system also negatively affects flowering. 
• Excessive watering during rest, on cloudy and rainy days, as well as insufficient drainage lead to the appearance of root rot.
• Also, watering with too cold water can lead to rotting. If the damage is not too severe, then the bulbs can be saved by removing them from the soil and cutting off areas with rot to healthy tissue. The wound surface is then sprinkled with crushed charcoal and the bulbs are planted in fresh soil, giving them a slight drought.
• An excess amount of nitrogen in the substrate causes the flower to abundantly grow green mass to the detriment of flowering.
• Among fungal diseases, plants can suffer from fusarium.
• Leaf blades lose turgor and turn yellow with insufficient watering. 

Among the harmful insects, the leaves of the flower were liked by spider mites, whiteflies, scale insects, false scale insects, and mealybugs.

Growing temperature

Normal room temperature. The flower can withstand quite strong summer heat without problems with sufficient watering and air humidity.

In autumn, the temperature regime should be reduced and in the winter months the plant is introduced into a cool dormant period, which it should spend in a room with a temperature of 9 - 14 ° C.

Cool conditions will promote rest and accumulation of energy for subsequent flowering.

Bulbs should not be exposed to temperatures below 5 degrees Celsius, as they may become sick and even die.

Feeding zephyranthes 

During the summer, fertilize every 3 to 4 weeks with a balanced fertilizer for flowering plants.

Fertilizing begins a couple of weeks after planting and does not stop even after flowering - fertilizers should be used at this time in limited quantities so that the bulb has the opportunity to store nutrients for the next season.

Fertilizing is carried out only after watering, adding a nutrient solution to the moist substrate.

Zephyranthes reacts positively to both mineral and organic fertilizers. Well-rotted manure is used as organic matter, since fresh organic matter can lead to rot.

You should not feed weak and diseased bushes - applying fertilizers will only cause them harm.

After transplantation, the first fertilizing should also be carried out only after 2 - 3 weeks - the plants will only need the nutrients that are already in the fresh substrate. 

Lighting

The most abundant flowering is observed in plants that were kept in bright light, with some direct sunlight. When grown in partial shade, plant development slows down and flowering does not occur. 

Zephyranthes can sunbathe morning and evening, but must remain in partial shade during the day.

In spring and summer, the most suitable for maintenance will be the window sills of western or eastern windows. When kept on the south side, shade with a light tulle curtain is required. When kept in the north, flowering will be sparse - the plants will suffer from lack of light. 

In autumn and winter, you can place the flower in the most illuminated place, since the sun at this time loses its power and often remains behind the clouds.

You should not expose the pot in which the flower is located to the sun's rays - its root system does not like overheating. During the dormant period, if the leaves have died and there are only bulbs in the pot, lighting will not play any role - you can take the flower pot to a dark place.

Content, trimming

From the moment the buds form, you should not change the living conditions of the plant, you do not even need to simply change the location of the pot.

After flowering, it is worth cutting off the peduncle, leaving a small piece about 5 cm high. Over time, the peduncle will become completely dry and can be carefully removed by hand.

After flowering, the plants go into a dormant state. At this time, the bulbs can be removed from the pot, dried and stored in winter in a cool, frost-free place in peat or vermiculite, which is periodically moistened.

Depending on the variety and age of the plant, the dormant period can last from 2 to 5 months. It is difficult to name specific dates for the onset of the dormant period, since it depends on the conditions of detention and the variety of zephyranthes. 

Different varieties of the plant may remain evergreen or lose their leaves after flowering. Do not rush to remove fading leaf blades - until they die completely, they continue to feed the bulb.

If necessary, removal of peduncles with faded buds and old leaves should be done with sharp, sterile pruning shears.

The plant will be happy to be in the fresh air during spring and summer if you place the flower in the openwork shade of trees and protect it from strong winds and heavy rainfall.

Do not place the flower near heating systems in the autumn and winter months - the air in these places will be too dry. If, after all, there is no other place for the plant, then from time to time the radiators should be hung with wet terry towels. 

Spraying 

There are no special requirements; spray periodically to prevent pest infestations. Zephyranthes can be sprayed with warm, settled water in the first half of the day so that droplets of moisture do not fall on the flowers and buds.

Spraying is carried out on hot summer and spring days. Plants with wet leaves should not be left in direct sunlight - burns may occur.

Instead of spraying to increase air humidity, you can surround the pot with a ring of moistened sphagnum moss and place any vessel with water next to the flower.

The plant container can be placed on a tray of wet pebbles, making sure that the surface of the water does not come into direct contact with the bottom of the flower pot.

Simply placing several plants in a confined space increases air humidity well.

Zephyranthes loves ventilated rooms with good ventilation, but without cold drafts. 

Purpose

Plant several bulbs in a large 20cm diameter pot and you will be rewarded with profuse blooms several times a year.

In South American countries, the plant is used for medicinal purposes - it is believed that the flower has an anti-inflammatory, wound-healing effect, and helps with liver and kidney diseases.

Medicines based on the juice have been created that help in the case of cancer, tuberculosis or diabetes.

Note

Can be used as a forcing plant.

Zephyranthes bulbs contain poisonous juice, so do not place planting material within the reach of children or pets. After transplanting and planting the bulbs, hands should be washed thoroughly with soap. 

Varieties:

Zephyrantes candida

Perennial tender bulbous plants. The flower stalks are leafless, do not exceed the height of the foliage, each bears at the top a small white flower with 6 petals, reminiscent of a crocus, with a diameter of 3 - 5 cm. The leaves are dark green, very narrow and thin, up to 25 cm long. In their natural habitat, flowers are often appear in late summer or early autumn after long and heavy rains. 

Zephyranthes robusta, Habranthus robustus

Perennial bulbous plants with dark green, thin, glossy leaves. The flowers are soft pink, solitary, with a yellowish or green center, large - reaching 5 - 7 cm in diameter, appearing in August - September on the top of small leafless burgundy peduncles. 

Zephyranthes grandiflora

Bulbous plants up to 30 cm high. The flowering period begins in July - August, when the plant forms soft pink large flowers with a greenish center, reminiscent of lilies. Peduncles are leafless, up to 25 - 30 cm high. Leaves are linear, dark green, glossy.