This bulbous plant was first seen in the moist forests of South and Central America. The flower "hides" under the shadow of large trees, lives on the slopes of mountains and near ponds. Most often, tropical burdock can be found in the mountains of Colombia and in Western Amazonia. This is probably why the second name of the plant is Amazonian lily (not to be confused with garden lily).
This "Amazon" visited Europe only in the 19th century, first appearing in England, and quickly gained popularity in indoor and decorative floriculture. After all, not only flowers are beautiful, but also the leaves of the plant! Large up to 55 cm long and 20 cm wide, smooth, they look very exotic.
Flowering most often occurs in winter and early spring, but in room culture, the flowering period depends on specific conditions, so flowering eucharis can be seen at any time of the year. A peduncle about 50 cm long develops very quickly: within 2 weeks after its appearance, flowers collected in inflorescences - umbrellas, usually 6-7 pieces each begin to open up.
Bulbs do not like loneliness, quickly multiply and grow in groups, making up a beautiful lush bush. One bulb is able to have from two to four leaves at a time. In nature, up to 20 species of eucharis are found, but they can only be distinguished from each other during flowering. The most popular species is large-flowered eucharis.
Externally, the flowers resemble daffodils, have an amazing, unlike anything fragrance, and their hue varies from pure white to greenish and yellow. Even at home, eucharis is not picky about care! They are decorated with offices, apartments, and also used in landscape design, but only in the southern regions. After all, the plant is thermophilic and not winter-hardy!
Care Rules
If the eucharis flower is provided with suitable conditions, it is able to delight its owner with annual flowering.
Temperature and lighting
Tropical burdock is accustomed to shade, because in the forests where it grows, there are no direct sunlight. However, you should not deprive him of the sun at all! Without it, the leaves turn pale and lose their decorative effect. For normal growth, it is enough to place the pot near the southeast or southwest windows. In a period of deficiency of the sun, you can make up for its shortage with artificial lighting.
By the way, unlike hibiscus, for the summer period this representative of the blossoming indoor flora is best left in the room. After all, fluctuations in daily temperatures can destroy the plant! The optimum temperature is 18-25 degrees, it should be constant.
Watering and humidity
Amazonian lily belongs to the amaryllis family, its bulbs are sensitive to temperature and soil moisture. Do not allow stagnation of water, this will inevitably lead to decay! Therefore, watering should be plentiful, but not frequent, only after the soil has dried. If the earth is moist to a depth of 3 cm, it is better to postpone watering!
Eucharis is not picky about leaving, but will be grateful for the regular cleaning of the leaves with a damp cloth. Their wide surface quickly accumulates dust, which prevents the plant from “breathing”! Spraying is not one of the mandatory procedures, but it will only be of benefit, because the lily comes from tropical forests, where the air is humid.
Fertilizers and fertilizing
Nutrient nutrition is necessary for the plant during flowering and growth. You can use universal fertilizers for indoor flowers (preferably for bulb plants).
But lily also responds well to organics. So, a solution of dry granular manure, or ash infusion will be very useful for maintaining strength during the active period for the flower. Two types of fertilizers can be alternated, given that during flowering, the phosphorus-potassium component is more important, and during the period of leaf growth - nitrogen.
Reproduction and transplantation
Even if the lily has already filled the pot, wait a moment with the transplant! Indeed, in a wide bowl, flowering may not take place at all. In addition, she does not like to be disturbed by the roots! Change the pot only when the bulbs really become crowded. However, even in this case, the next pot should only be a couple of centimeters wider than the previous one in diameter. By the way, in choosing a pot, give preference to a wide and spacious dish.
Like all bulb crops, eucharis propagates by dividing the bulbs. But, keep in mind that in a single planting, Amazonian lily blooms reluctantly! In this case, it will take about 3 years to wait for the flowering until the plant gives daughter bulbs. The substrate must be saturated and nutritious. Garden soil and sand in a ratio of 2: 1 can be diluted with humus. When planting, straighten the roots of the bulbs, as shown in the photo, so that they occupy the area of the pot. Be sure to pour expanded clay at the bottom and make sure there are holes!
Warning: rest period!
With proper care of eucharis during the dormant period, it can please you with flowers up to twice a year - in early spring and late autumn! Bulb growth usually occurs more actively from the middle of winter, in the spring fresh leaves begin to appear from these bulbs, and a flower arrow can form by March.
The rest period lasts two months, it precedes the spring awakening. From October-November, watering is gradually reduced, maintaining the relative humidity of the soil. By January, watering is minimized by wetting the soil as it dries completely, maintaining an ambient temperature of about 15 degrees. In such conditions, eucharis hibernates, and with the advent of spring, watering is gradually increased, when a flower arrow is born, the first top dressing is performed.
Crop faded arrow? At your discretion! But, so that the flower does not waste power on the formation of seeds, it is better to cut off when the arrow starts to turn yellow.