Pancratium

Family. Amaryllidaceae.

Origin. South Africa.

Description. Pancratium is a perennial bulbous plant with long, up to 35 cm, strap-shaped, green, glossy, drooping leaves forming a basal rosette. The peduncles are tall - up to 60 cm, leafless, borne on an umbrella inflorescence consisting of 3 - 15 flowers. The flowers are white, very attractive, up to 15 cm in diameter, with 6 long, narrow, curved petals and a crown in the center. The buds have a pleasant, very subtle lily scent that intensifies towards evening.

Height. Indoor specimens grow up to 60 cm.

Care at home

Temperature

Pancratium loves warm weather and needs to be provided with high temperature for flowering to occur. In winter, the plants are dormant and need to be moved to a cooler place with a temperature of about 15° C.

Lighting

Leaf blades should receive 3-4 hours of direct sunlight per day - morning and evening. During the day in the warm season, when the sun's activity is high, shading is required. After flowering, the leaves often die off, and lighting plays no role.

Substrate

The soil must have excellent drainage, for which up to 30 percent of coarse river sand is added to the mixture.

Feeding

During the growing season, feed with water-soluble fertilizer every 2 weeks.

Flowering time

From the beginning of summer, the flowering period lasts about 20 days.

Air humidity

Pancratium tolerates dry air in heated rooms well and does not require spraying.

Soil moisture

During the growing season, water abundantly, but allow the top layer of soil, about 5-6 cm thick, to dry out before each watering. In the autumn-winter period, the bulbs are kept in almost dry soil. 

Transplant

Transplantation is carried out in the spring, every 2-3 years. The bulbs are buried in the ground to a depth 3 times greater than their height.

Reproduction

Propagated by seeds or by separating daughter bulbs after flowering. The seeds are pre-soaked for a day in warm water, germination occurs within 1 - 3 months. Plants obtained from seeds will bloom at the age of 3 - 4 years. 

Pests and diseases

Rots easily in the presence of excess moisture.

Healthy plants are usually free of pests, but bushes weakened by improper care may be attacked by mealybugs and scale insects.