| Description: |
Upright, strap-shaped leaves in rosettes produce an upright stalk of bell-shaped flowers. |
| Environment: |
Suitable only for a greenhouse |
| Lighting Needs: |
Does best in full sunlight coming from the East/West |
| Planting Depth: |
Plant the 'bulb' so it is covered by more than twice the height of the bulb. |
| Soil Type: |
A GOOD general purpose potting soil (a soil that retains water yet drains well) will suffice. Check purchased soil to see that it is well aerated and add sand or perlite and peat moss if it seems to pack too tightly. Give the plants a chance to settle in before going back to whatever fertilization program has been successful for you. If you want to mix your own take:
1 part garden soil, 1 part coarse sand or perlite, 1 part moist peat or humus (leaf mold) and a light dusting of lime.
Always use a pot with a hole.
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| Watering: |
Keep the soil evenly moist and reduce water during the winter. Use warm water. |
| Plant Pests: |
Prone to aphids. Always inspect any new plant for pests before introducing it to your home or greenhouse. |
| Propagation: |
Seeds and offsets
in the spring.
It is best to propagate seeds in a mixture of moist peat and perlite. Cover the pot and plant with a plastic bag secured by a rubber band to prevent the moisture from escaping. Place in indirect sunlight or under a fluorescent light. Repot in its regular mix after it has been growing for a while. Plant offsets in their regular potting mix.
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| Gardening Tips & Care: |
The bulb should be kept in a dark room or closet until the tips appear and then brought into the light. The best time to plant these bulbs is normally in April. Place pebbles or gravel in the drainage dish to hold water and increase the humidity, make sure the pot is sitting on the gravel and not in the water.
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