Fans of unusual-looking, but unpretentious plants often do not know what specimens to replenish their collection of flowers. Some representatives of the flora are too capricious, others are very widespread and have already become commonplace. In this case, you should pay attention to the nerin (landing and care are described in the article).
General description
Nerina, she is also a spider lily or Guernsey lily, is a representative of the Amaryllis family. Also, the perennial is known by the names Cape flower and night nymph. Homeland Exotica - South Africa.
Nerin in the open ground
This is a highly decorative plant with linear dark green leaves. At the time of flowering, a long peduncle appears on it, crowned with funnel-shaped buds. The color of the thin curved petals of a spider lily depends on the type of plant. It can be either bright scarlet or dazzling white. You can admire the flowers in the fall, from September to October.
The underground part of the nerin is represented by a bulb, the diameter of which reaches 5 cm.
Note! Lily Guernsey grows well in open ground, so in the summer it is recommended to plant it on flower beds or take it out in pots. In regions with warm winters, the plant can not be taken into the house all year round.
Main types
Species of spider lilies, there are about 3 hundred. Of these, there are several main, most interesting for growing:
- Nerine Bowden (nerine of the bowdenii species). A plant with tapeworm leaves of saturated green color, reaching a length of 25-35 cm, a width of 2-3 cm. Peduncles are crowned with umbellate inflorescences with curved petals, represented by various shades of lilac color. Nerina Bowden (cultivation and care are described below) is the most popular type of plant.
Nerine Bowden
- Nerin is meandering. A species rarely grown at home. Differs in graceful flowers of a soft pink shade.
Nerine winding
- Nerin is bashful. The owner of beautiful snow-white flowers with thin curved petals. The leaves of this species are slightly bluish.
Nerin bashful
- Nerine narrow-leaved. As the name implies, the view is distinguished by a special leaf shape. The flowers are thin, graceful, delicate lilac tones.
Nerine narrow-leaved
- Nerin is Sarnian. An interesting variety of spider lilies with large flowers, painted in orange-red color.
Nerin Sarney
- Nerin is wavy. The owner of the flowers (8-10 pieces per peduncle) with winding, as if bitten, petals of soft pink color.
- Nerin Hatton. The small size of pale pink flowers of this species is more than compensated by their abundance.
Nerine Hatton
- Nerin is curved. Actively growing, even during flowering, lily, with bright scarlet elegant flowers.
Nerin curved
- Nerin is low. The peculiarity of this plant is that it begins to grow leaves simultaneously with the growth of peduncles. The petals of the spider lily are pink, beautifully curved.
Nerin low
This species is recommended to be grown at home as decorative, without replanting into the ground.
Important! Sometimes the plant is affected by aphids. To get rid of the pest, it is necessary to use special compounds sold in flower shops.
Home Care
Growing and caring for nerin is quite simple. Despite its African origin, the flower perfectly survives in the Russian climate. Winter hardiness even allows the plant to remain on the street all year round when it comes to the southern regions of cultivation.
Air humidity
Spider lily loves moist soil, but prefers dry air. Therefore, water trays, wet towels and other tricks of flower growers will not be required.
Temperature
About the temperature of cultivation is worth talking more fully, since this factor affects flowering.
The transition to the dormant period of the spider lily is not pronounced. The flowers fade, and the green mass remains bright and juicy until spring, when it begins to slowly fade. However, the real signal of the approaching dormant period is considered to be flowering.
From this moment, watering is reduced, after the leaves die off, the container with the bulb is removed in a dark place with a temperature of 7-10 ° C. It can be a glazed loggia or a dry basement. Some gardeners leave the lily "sleeping" on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator.
Potted flower
Low (within the specified limits) temperature is very important. If the winter is too warm, the plant will begin active growth earlier, in which case it does not produce flowers.
In the spring, the pot with the bulb is removed from the shelter, exposed to the light. The temperature should remain the same. In the north, a loggia or window sill in a cool room is considered a good place. Residents of the southern regions, where the temperature in March is steadily kept at + 5 ° C, can put the capacity on the street.
In April, Guernsey's lily will wake up and begin to grow leaves. Then comes the flowering period, which again will be replaced by a dormant period.
Note! Exotic beauty Nerin loves light, nutrient-rich soils.
Fertilizers
During the period of growing green mass and flowering, spider lily is fed with complex fertilizers for flowering indoor plants. The frequency of application is 1 time in 10-14 days.
Watering
During the period of growth and flowering, watering should be carried out regularly to prevent the drying of an earthen coma. When the nerin fades, you can water it less often. Even less water is required when the leaves die. When the aboveground parts of the flower disappear, the earth no longer needs to be moistened.
Plant transplant
Nerin does not need too large a pot for transplanting. A diameter of 10-13 cm is enough. Planting in a large container helps to slow the growth and development of spider lilies. Pouring too much soil is also not required - the bulb of the plant should be buried only two-thirds.
Transplanted purchased bulbs should be in August. At the same time, the earth in the pot is only slightly moistened so as not to cause activation of growth.
Spider lily does not require frequent transplants; instead, they replace the top of the soil annually. It is recommended to completely replace the soil in the pot once every 4 years. To do this, you can either purchase ready-made soil for amaryllis, or prepare the soil mixture yourself from turf land, humus and sand, taken in equal parts.
Do not forget about drainage - stagnation of water at the bulb can cause decay.
Important! Spider lily juice is poisonous and can leave burns on the skin. It is dangerous not only for humans, but also for pets. It is worthwhile to find her a place inaccessible to animals.
Breeding methods
Like other bulbs, Nerin breeds by dividing daughter bulbs. This method is quite common and not difficult. You can get young plants in this way once every 4 years.
How to plant young bulbs:
- The bulb of an old plant is carefully removed from the soil;
- Carefully separate the young onions, which have managed to grow around;
- Pour drainage (wood bark, small pebbles) and soil mixture into new small-diameter pots;
- Gently deepen the bulbs (no more than 2 in each pot) by 2/3 in the ground;
- Press lightly and slightly moisten the earth in a pot with water.
Bulbs before planting
Important! You should not buy bulbs for planting on street sales and small markets. They are rarely good from unverified sellers, so it is likely to acquire a cheaper and simpler plant under the guise of nerin.
Seeds
Propagation of nerin seeds - a method not suitable for beginners. It is more laborious and complex than dividing the bulbs.
How to grow nerin from seeds:
- Wait for the seeds to mature on the adult plant;
- Find a small container and fill it with nutritious soil mixture;
- Mix seeds with clean coarse sand and sprinkle on the surface of the soil;
- Moisten them thoroughly using a spray gun;
- Cover the planting with a film, creating greenhouse conditions;
- Every day before emergence, it is necessary to take care of the plantings: water and air, removing the film. The optimum temperature for germination is 22 ° C;<
Guernsey Lily Bloom
- After 22-23 days, the first shoots will appear. The film can be removed;
- After the appearance of 2 leaves in the seedlings, they need to be dived into small pots and removed for growing in a place inaccessible to drafts and direct sunlight;
- The first 3 years of life, young plants do not need a period of winter dormancy, they are not placed in the cold after flowering.
Nerin flower, having its own vagaries. Caring for him can not be called too complicated. It is enough to clean the plant in time for the winter, providing it with peace, and observe the irrigation regime. Then the unusual lily will respond with abundant flowering and magical aroma. It can not only be safely shown to neighbors, taking it out onto the street, but also to share onions for planting.
