How to plant the Red Spider Lily flower ball
Today's experience sharing: How to plant the Red Spider Lily flower ball and a detailed introduction to the cultivation tutorial of the Red Spider Lily in the field of green plants and flowers. Let's learn about it together below.
The scientific name of the Red Spider Lily is Lycoris radiata, also known as鬼擎火 (Ghost's Hand), hell flower, dragon claw flower, etc., belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family Lycoris genus, a perennial herbaceous plant. Legend has it that this flower is a guiding flower, with magical fragrance that can awaken the memories of the dead. Since the flowers and leaves have the characteristic of not being able to meet, it is also known as the flower of no sentiment or kindness. Let's take a look at how to care for a potted Red Spider Lily together!
Growth habits of the Red Spider Lily
The Red Spider Lily is native to the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and some parts of the southwest, as well as the Matsu Islands. It is also distributed in Vietnam, Malaysia, and various parts of East Asia. It prefers sunny, humid environments but can also tolerate semi-shade and dry conditions. It is slightly cold-resistant and has a strong vitality. It is not demanding on soil. If the soil is fertile and well-drained, the flowers will be particularly abundant. Additionally, Lycoris radiata enjoys growing in cemeteries, hence it is also called the flower of the dead.
Propagation methods of the Red Spider Lily
1. Bulb division: The bulb division method is the simplest way to propagate the Red Spider Lily. During the dormant period or after flowering, dig up the plant, take the bulbils near the mother bulb, and plant them. They can bloom in about one to two years.
2. Cutting method: Make an 'X' shaped cut about 1/2 to 2/3 of the length of the cleaned bulb base. After disinfection and drying in the shade, insert it into a moist medium such as sand or perlite. After three months, adventitious buds can be seen at the junction of the scales and the basal plate, gradually producing small bulbils, which can be cultivated into seedlings after separation.
3. Tissue culture method: Use MS medium, taking flower stems and ovary as the explant material. Callus can be produced at the incision. After one month, adventitious roots can form, and after three to four months, adventitious buds can form. Using flower stems and stem scales as explant material can also produce adventitious buds and bulbils.
4. Sowing method: Generally used only for hybrid breeding, as the seeds have no dormancy, they should be sown immediately after collection. After 15 days at 20°C, the radicle can be seen. In natural conditions, only a few seedlings will sprout one leaf in the first growth cycle, and they can be transplanted once during the seedling stage. It takes about 4 to 5 years from sowing to flowering.
How to care for a potted Red Spider Lily?
1. Soil: The Red Spider Lily is not picky about soil, but it grows best in loose, fertile, humus-rich soil. Wild species usually grow in dark, damp areas, with red soil as the growing ground, accustomed to slightly acidic soil. When planting the Red Spider Lily, use well-draining soil, otherwise, waterlogging can occur, causing the bulb to rot.
2. Water: The Red Spider Lily prefers moisture but can also tolerate drought. However, growing it in well-drained soil with adequate water supply will make the plant grow better. When the surface soil becomes dry and grayish-white, it's time to water the Red Spider Lily. In summer, as the plant enters a dormant period, gradually reduce the frequency and amount of watering, preferably stop watering.
3. Light: The Red Spider Lily prefers a semi-shaded environment but can tolerate direct sunlight. In summer, it enters a dormant period, so it should be placed in a cool, shaded environment.
4. Fertilization: The Red Spider Lily is a bulbous flower with a long growing period. Before planting, sufficient organic fertilizer should be buried in the soil. After that, apply top dressing every two months, using homemade decomposed manure or a three-element fertilizer, with an emphasis on the proportion of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers to promote bulb development and flowering.
5. Temperature: The Red Spider Lily prefers a warm environment but the highest temperature should not exceed 30°C, the average daily temperature should not exceed 24°C, and the average daily temperature in winter should remain above 8°C, with the lowest temperature at 1°C, to avoid affecting the plant's growth.
6. Diseases and pests: Common diseases of the Red Spider Lily include anthracnose and bacterial soft rot. Before planting the bulbs, soak them in a 0.3% copper sulfate solution for 30 minutes, wash with water, and then dry before planting. Spray 50% carbendazim wettable powder 500 times solution every half month for prevention and control. In the early stage of the disease, spray 50% benlate 2500 times solution.
The above sharing on how to plant the Red Spider Lily flower ball and the detailed cultivation tutorial is complete. I hope it helps you and also hope that everyone comes to see more green plant and flower experience knowledge!