Zephyranthes

 

Amaryllis family. Homeland - South and Central America. There are about 40 species in nature.

  • Zephyrantes large-flowered Zephyrantes grandiflora is a perennial bulbous plant. The bulb is about 5 cm in diameter, rounded, deepened into the substrate completely. Leaves are narrowly belt-shaped, dark green, up to 40 cm long and about 1 cm wide. Flowers are single on a peduncle up to 30 cm long. Perianth funnel-shaped, about 8 cm in diameter, pink with bright orange stamens. Flowering from April to July.
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  • Zephyrantes white Zephyrantes candida is a perennial bulbous plant. The bulb is small - only about 3-4 cm in diameter, rounded, deepened into the substrate completely. The leaves are narrowly belt-shaped, dark green, up to 30 cm long and about 0.5 cm wide. The flowers are single on a peduncle up to 20 cm long. The perianth is funnel-shaped, about 6 cm in diameter, white on the inside and pinkish on the outside. Flowering from July to October.
  • Zephyranthes versicolor - has oblong bulbs, with dark upper scales, 3 cm in diameter. The leaves are linear, about 30 cm., Appear after flowering. Flowers 5-7 cm long, erect, white, with a reddish-green tint on the outside. In classification since 1821, originally from Brazil. Synonyms: Amaryllis versicolor ((Herb.) Spreng.), Habranthus versicolor (Herb.), Hippeastrum versicolor ((Herb.) Baker), Zephyranthes pluricolor (Herter), Zephyranthes versicolor ((Herb.) G.Nicholson).

Caring for Zephirants

Temperature: During the growing season in the range of 23-26 ° C during the day, 15-17 ° C at night. During the rest period they are kept at 12-14 ° C, at least 10 ° C, in dryness.

Lighting: Bright sunny place. In summer, marshmallows are planted in the garden - he is not at all afraid of the bright sun, if taught, gradually removing the shading (mesh, veil).

Watering: Moderate during growing season. The soil should dry well in the top half of the pot. During the dormant period, zephirantes can lose leaves - then the bulbs are kept dry, if the leaves remain, then the plant is occasionally watered.

Fertilizer: Once every two weeks with liquid mineral fertilizer for flowering indoor plants, diluted in the concentration recommended by the manufacturer from the moment new leaves appear until the end of flowering.

Humidity: If the weather is hot and dry in summer, the plant can be sprayed periodically, but usually zephirantes do not need spraying.

Transplant: About once every 3-4 years, during the dormant period. Soil - 1 part of sod, 1 part of sheet earth, 1 part of humus, 1 part of fine gravel (fraction 2-3 mm). Choose a pot that is not too spacious, take into account the height of 2 cm for drainage. It is important that the drain holes are not clogged with expanded clay or earth.

Reproduction: Daughter bulbs that plant several pieces in wide plates. The planted bulbs are watered very little at first and must be shaded in the afternoon. With good care, they will bloom next year.

Wreckers

Zephyrantes looks very similar to another plant in the amaryllis family - Gabrantus Habranthus. At first glance, the flowers of these plants are no different. However, in gabrantus 6 stamens are somewhat bent down, located, spaced in pairs from each other. In marshmallows, they are straight, of the same length, located all together.

Wreckers

Scutes - brown plaques on the surface of leaves and stems, suck out cell juice. The leaves lose their color, dry and curl. Buds and flowers dry, fruits do not tie.

Control measures. Wipe with an alcohol solution, spill the soil with a systemic insecticide - actara.

Amaryllis worm - whitish insects with an oval body of about 3.5 mm settle under scales on bulbs. Plants damaged by the worm are greatly depressed, lagging behind in growth, the leaves turn yellow and fall off. Sooty fungi can settle on the secretions of worms.

Control measures. The plant must be cleaned with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol from pests. Then water the soil with actara. Try not to leave the soil waterlogged. It is better to throw away severely affected bulbs.

Spider mite: appears when the air is too dry - cobwebs appear on the leaves, buds and flowers become lethargic and fall off. Contributes to the appearance of a spider mite dry air.

Control measures. The plant is washed with soapy water, and after it dries, washed under a warm shower. If the defeat is not strong, then this is enough. With a very strong lesion, the plant can be sprayed with 0.15% actellic solution (1-2 ml per liter of water) or another acaricide.