Nerine

Family. Amaryllidaceae.

Origin. South Africa.

Description. The genus Nerine includes about 30 herbaceous, perennial plants with fairly large, oblong bulbs up to 5 cm in diameter. The leaves are basal, sword-shaped, green, often grow back after flowering, up to 40 cm long and about 2 cm wide. Peduncles are tall - up to 40 cm, bear large inflorescences at the tops - loose umbrellas with a diameter of up to 25 cm, consisting of many white, pink, red, salmon or purple flowers with a faint aroma.

Height. Grows up to 35 - 90 cm.

Planting and care

Soil 

The soil for growing nerine can consist of garden soil mixed with coarse sand or perlite to improve drainage. Add some organic matter in the form of leaf humus.

Growing at home 

In the warm season, you can take the plant out into the fresh air. 

When blooms 

August – October, depends on the specific variety and conditions of detention.

Growing conditions - temperature

With the beginning of new growth, the bush is kept in a cool place - about 14 °C. During the growing season, it is transferred to a warmer place, with a temperature of about 20 °C. During the dormant period, the pot is placed in a cool room with a temperature of about 10 °C.

How reproduces 

Propagated by separating daughter bulblets from adult plants during transplantation. Seeds are sown in late winter or early spring at a temperature of at least 20 °C in nutritious soil. Germination period is 2 - 3 weeks. Young seedlings up to 3 years old do not need a dormant period.

Lighting

Provide a location where the plant will receive several hours of direct sunlight per day - preferably in the morning and evening. Shade nerine on summer days. During the dormant period, when the leaves have already died, lighting does not play any role.

Fertilizer

Fertilize only during the period of active growth with fertilizers with low nitrogen content and high phosphorus content for more abundant flowering. Stop fertilizing during the dormant period. Fertilizers can be diluted to half the recommended dose.

Transplant

Transplantation is carried out only when necessary - when the root system becomes frankly cramped in the pot. Adult specimens are transplanted approximately once every 3 years. Often, faded bushes are kept at home for only one year, and then planted in the garden. The bulbs are planted so that their tops protrude slightly from the ground. After transplantation, water very carefully.

Pests and diseases

Excess nutrients in the soil causes the plant to abundantly grow green mass to the detriment of flowering. Excess moisture in the soil and insufficient drainage will cause the bulbs to rot. Of the harmful insects, the most dangerous are mealybugs, aphids, and scale insects.

Spraying

When kept cool, it can tolerate dry air in living spaces, but as the temperature rises, the need arises to increase air humidity. Place the plant pot on a tray of damp pebbles or use a room humidifier. You can spray with water at room temperature. 

Water nerine 

Water abundantly during the growing season, but do not allow moisture to stagnate in the pan. The soil is dried a little before each watering. In winter, when nerine goes into a dormant state, watering is gradually reduced and the bulbs are kept dry until new growth begins. 

Purpose

Nerine flowers are often used for cutting, as they do not lose their attractive appearance in water for a long time.  

Varieties:

Nerine bowdenii​

A perennial bulbous herbaceous, flowering plant with tall leafless peduncles reaching 45 cm. At the tops of the peduncles there are large, bright, orange flowers with long and narrow petals. Each peduncle can bear up to 8 - 10 flowers. The leaves are glossy, green, belt-shaped, and may appear during or after flowering.

Nerine flexuosa

A flowering perennial plant 30 - 50 cm high with basal green, belt-shaped, glossy leaves, often arched. The leaf blades reach a length of 40 - 60 cm. The flowers are pink or white, collected in large inflorescences at the tops of the peduncles. Each flower stem is capable of bearing up to 10 flowers at the top.