Galtonia

Family. Liliaceae. 

Origin. South Africa.

Description. Galtonia are large perennial bulbous plants. The leaves are long — up to 70 cm, numerous, strap-shaped, green. Tall — up to 130 cm in height, the peduncle bears a loose conical brush with many white or greenish bell-shaped, drooping, often fragrant flowers up to 4 cm in diameter with wax petals fused at the base. Flowering is long.

Height of galtonia. Up to 150 cm.

Planting and care

Reproduction, growing from seeds 

Adult plants can be propagated by division after flowering. Bulbs are babies. Galtonia can also be successfully grown from seeds. Freshly collected seeds germinate better, germination occurs within a month. Specimens obtained from seeds bloom in the second year.

When galtonia blooms 

Flowering time is summer.

Temperature

Regular room temperature will do; during the winter dormant period, keep the plant in a cool place with a temperature of about 10 ° C.

Lighting

A place brightly lit by the sun's rays with light shading on a summer afternoon.

Soil for galtonia

Plants prefer nutritious, loose soil with good drainage.

Feeding

2 times a month during the growing season. Do not feed plants that are in the dormant period. 

Spraying

There are no special requirements, spray periodically.

Watering

Water deeply during active growth. Keep the bulbs dry during the winter months until new growth appears.

Transplant

Annually. The bulbs are planted in late winter or early spring with the top just below the soil surface. For best results, plant several bulbs in one pot. 

Pests and diseases

Diseases and pests are present quite rarely. Root rot is possible due to waterlogging and stagnation of water.  When grown in open ground, plants can be attacked by slugs, snails, and onion mites.

Purpose

Due to its large size, this species requires a lot of space. It is possible to use cut flowers.

Varieties:

Galtonia candicans

A tall perennial herbaceous plant 60 - 120 cm high. The leaves are dark green, belt-shaped, thick, juicy. The peduncles are strong, vertical, bearing up to 30 elegant, white, drooping, bell-shaped flowers at the tops. The flowers open sequentially - from the base of the peduncle to its top, which significantly extends the total flowering time. Cut flowers look great and retain their freshness for a long time. 

Galtonia viridiflora

Flowering bulbous perennials with large, strap-shaped, green leaves collected in a basal rosette. Vertical, thick flower stalks rise high above the foliage and bear cylindrical inflorescences at the tops. Each inflorescence consists of many drooping bell-shaped flowers of a greenish, less often yellow, hue. Flowering is very abundant and long lasting.