What are the planting methods and precautions for Lycoris squamigera?
Lycoris squamigera, many people may not know what it is. Lycoris squamigera is also called summer daffodil, with pink flowers that look fresh and elegant, and it is deeply loved and sought after by everyone. Lycoris squamigera is generally more common in gardens or parks, and now it can also be grown as a potted plant at home. So how should such a fresh Lycoris squamigera be grown? Let's learn about it together with the editor below!
How to plant Lycoris squamigera
It can be cultivated in the open field or in pots in a greenhouse.
Open-field cultivation means peeling off the small bulbs around the main bulb for propagation. Trim off the remaining roots of the main bulb, dry it in the sun for two days, and plant it once the wound is dry. The cultivation site should be high-lying and well-drained; otherwise, make high beds with deep furrows to prevent waterlogging damage. The plant spacing is 15 cm × 20 cm, and when covering with soil, the top of the bulb should be exposed above the soil surface. Generally, fertilize 2-4 times a year. The first time is after leaf drop and before flowering, using organic fertilizer or compound fertilizer. For cut flowers, apply additional fertilizer before the buds are about to open. The second time is at the end of October or the beginning of November after flowering and before the growth period. After cutting flowers, continue to supply water and fertilizer, but reduce nitrogen fertilizer and increase phosphorus and potassium fertilizer to make the bulbs strong and plump.
After autumn, stop fertilizer and water to let it gradually enter dormancy. When digging bulbs, choose a sunny day, dig them up when the soil is dry, remove the soil, dry them slightly, and then store them. Alternatively, after cutting off the leaves, place them with soil in a greenhouse to dormant, keeping the room temperature at 5°C-10°C, keeping the room dry and the air circulating to prevent the bulbs from rotting.
For greenhouse pot cultivation, generally choose large bulbs that have grown in the field for 3 years and can flower, with a diameter of more than 7 cm. One bulb can be planted in one pot, or 3-4 bulbs can be planted in one large pot. Plant shallowly so that 1/3-1/2 of the bulb sits above the soil surface. After potting, water once, just enough to make the soil slightly moist, and water again after new leaves emerge. Apply liquid fertilizer once every half month. When the leaves thicken and mature in autumn, stop watering. After sprouting in February-March, repot or replace the potting soil. The growing medium can be made by mixing 2 parts peat, 2 parts garden soil, and 1 part perlite, while adding a small amount of base fertilizer. During the summer dormant period, water less, while in spring and autumn keep the potting soil moist frequently. During the growing season, apply a dilute cake fertilizer solution once every half month
Planting methods and precautions for Lycoris squamigera
1. Soil
Generally choose fertile soil with more organic matter; loose sandy soil is best.
2. Water and fertilizer
The flowering period of Lycoris squamigera is generally around September each year. During this period, be sure to keep the soil sufficiently moist at all times, and fertilize once.
3. Pests and diseases
Lycoris squamigera is very prone to anthracnose, so spray with carbendazim once every 15 days.
4. Notes during the dormant period
Every year in May and June, Lycoris squamigera will gradually enter the dormant period. At this time, be sure to reduce watering; otherwise, it can easily cause the roots of Lycoris squamigera to rot, and in severe cases, death.
Later management of Lycoris squamigera
The planting depth should not be too deep; it is best to just bury the top of the bulb at the soil surface. It requires well-drained, slightly acidic sandy soil or loose growing medium. Apply an appropriate amount of base fertilizer when planting, and water thoroughly after planting. During the vegetative growth period, water frequently to keep the soil moist, but do not let water accumulate, to prevent the bulbs from rotting. From 20 days before flowering to the flowering period, an appropriate amount of water must be supplied to achieve uniform flowering and extend the flowering period.
Main uses of Lycoris squamigera
1. Medicinal
The bulb of Lycoris squamigera is a raw material for extracting galanthamine. It can be used as medicine and has effects such as reducing inflammation and stopping bleeding, clearing heat and relieving pain, promoting urination and reducing swelling, and strengthening the stomach and promoting lactation. Usually in spring and autumn, dig up wild bulbs or bulbs after 2-3 years of cultivation, wash and dry them in the sun, or slice and dry them in the sun. When using, apply externally by pounding it into a paste and applying it to the affected area.
2. Ornamental
In gardens, Lycoris squamigera can be used as groundcover flowers under trees, planted in groups in flower borders, or planted naturally among rocks. Because it has only leaves when flowering, it is better to pair it with other shade-tolerant herbaceous plants. The planting density is 15-20 cm between plants and 40 cm between rows, with 1 row of other evergreen plants planted between the rows.
In addition, it has strong scapes and long flower stems, making it an ideal cut flower material.
Through the above content, I believe everyone has gained some understanding of the planting methods of Lycoris squamigera. For some flower lovers, how could they let such a beautiful Lycoris squamigera go? However, planting Lycoris squamigera has relatively high environmental requirements, so under suitable conditions, it is possible to grow Lycoris squamigera potted plants at home.