Brodiaea

Family. Liliaceae.

Origin. Western part of North America.

Description. Brodiaea is a herbaceous perennial bulbous plant with small graceful flowers. From the top of each bulb 1 to 6 narrow, long basal leaves appear, forming a dense rosette. A smooth peduncle up to 30 cm high carries an inflorescence - an umbrella. The flowers are small, with 6 oblong, glossy petals of blue, white and purple, which grow together into a tube at the base. By the time flowering begins, the leaves are usually already withered. The seeds are black.

Height. 35 - 40 cm.

Planting and care

Containment temperature

Normal room temperature is suitable - 18 - 22 ° C, withstands a minimum of 5 ° C. In winter, the bulbs are kept in a dry, warm place. 

Soil 

Excellent drainage is important for brodiaea, so add sand to the soil. Permeable, light sandy loam soil is ideal.

Lighting

The flower prefers a brightly lit location and sunlight in the morning and evening hours, but on summer days it is better to slightly shade the plant.

When blooms 

Flowering time is from  May to July.

Feeding

During the period of active growth, 2 times a month. 

Purpose

Brodiaea flowers are great for cutting and last a long time in water.

Air humidity

No special requirements. 

Soil moisture

Water generously during the growing season and keep the soil almost dry during the dormant period.

Transfer

Every year, the bulbs are planted in fresh substrate, about 5 pieces in each pot. 

Reproduction

Children - bulbs and seeds. The seeds of this plant are very sensitive to temperature. Immediately after planting and watering, store pots of seedlings in the refrigerator. Seedlings appear within three to six weeks and then the pots are placed in a warm place - approximately 20 - 22 ° C. Plants obtained from seeds bloom after 2 - 3 years. The bulbs are also planted in pots and placed in a cool place - about 8° C, not higher than 10° C.

Pests and diseases

Bulbs can rot if over-watered.  Among the pests, the flower can be attacked by spider mites and thrips, aphids, root mites and nematodes. 

Varieties:

Brodiaea laxa

In early spring, the plant produces long, belt-shaped, narrow, glossy, green leaves. Thin stems of the plant appear in late spring or early summer and reach a height of 30 - 50 cm. Blue or purple bell-shaped flowers are collected in small apical inflorescences - umbrellas. The flowers reach 2 - 5 cm in diameter. 

Brodiaea elegans

A perennial bulbous plant up to 50 cm high with narrow, green, lanceolate, entire leaves 20 - 40 cm long. With the onset of the flowering period, the leaves gradually die off, and the plants throw out thin, hard peduncles with small, attractive flowers. Widely opened flowers up to 3 cm in diameter have thin, oblong, glossy petals, painted in a purple hue.