How to Grow the Flame Lily (Gloriosa superba)? A Detailed Guide to Cultivation Methods

Gloriosa is a symbol of glory, a wonder created by nature. With its beauty, how many hearts has Gloriosa captured? So, how do you grow Gloriosa? Let's take a look below.

1. Temperature and environment

Gloriosa prefers a warm, humid environment with fairly strong sunlight, growing in dense forests and moist grassy areas. It has poor cold tolerance, with an optimum growing temperature of 22-24°C. When the temperature is below 22°C, flowering is poor and it cannot set seed; when the temperature is below 15°C, the above-ground parts suffer frost damage; but when it is above 32°C, growth is inhibited. In South China it can be grown outdoors. From Central China to North China it can only be grown in pots, moved indoors in winter, with the room temperature preferably not lower than 18°C.

Growing medium: it requires cultivation in a sandy loam rich in humus, loose and fertile, well-draining and with strong water retention. It is not tolerant of waterlogging, nor of drought.

2. Light

Gloriosa prefers weak light, but in summer it is not tolerant of strong direct sunlight; after planting, a shade framework should be set up to block 50%-60% of the light. In a well-lit indoor environment, it can be displayed for viewing for a long time. When planting Gloriosa, support should be set up in time to prevent the stems and vines from breaking.

3. Fertilizing

When planting Gloriosa, manure or cake fertilizer can be applied as a base fertilizer; when grown in pots, fully rotted cake fertilizer must be used, mixed with calcium, magnesium and phosphorus fertilizers as a base fertilizer. During the growing period, fertilizer is generally applied once a month; organic fertilizer or a compound fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium can be used. In spring, nitrogen fertilizer is preferable; in summer, increase the proportion of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. When fertilizer is sufficient, it can promote tuber enlargement and good flowering.

4. Watering

During the growing period, Gloriosa needs plenty of water; when it enters the winter dormant period, watering should be reduced. The soil must not be too wet, otherwise it will cause tuber rot. If necessary, during the dormant period the tubers should be dug up and stored in sand or wood shavings.

Generally in late April, plant the rhizomes flat in the soil, with a soil covering depth of about 3cm. For pot cultivation, use a pot with a diameter of 30cm, planting two rhizomes per pot. Keep the soil at a relatively low temperature to prevent the rhizomes from rotting. From mid-May to early June, they begin to sprout and emerge; after the shoots emerge they grow rapidly, so supports must be added in time to let them climb upward and avoid broken branches. When the vines reach 20cm in height, supports should be set up, tied, and misted frequently. From July onward, flowers begin to open continuously from bottom to top, until October-November, when they stop opening after the temperature drops. During the peak flowering period, to promote full fruit and seeds, artificial pollination can be carried out. During the growing period, a certain humidity must be maintained, with fertilizing about once every half month; a mixed fertilizer of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium is best. In summer and autumn during the flowering period, apply 1-2 additional applications of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. From late October to November, the above-ground parts gradually wither and turn yellow; it can overwinter successfully above 5°C. In warm winter areas of the south, the underground rhizomes can overwinter directly in the original planting site or in the pot, with no watering during overwintering; in areas with frost in winter, they should be dug up and buried in dry peat moss or sandy soil to overwinter.

5. Pot cultivation

When grown as an indoor potted plant, to extend the growing period and flowering period, sprouting can be forced early in a greenhouse. For cut flower production, cut when the first flower has unfolded, is fully colored, and at least two flower buds have grown out. The flowers should be packaged in small sleeves for sale, and generally can be kept fresh for about 10 days. In hot and rainy seasons, Gloriosa is prone to leaf spot and damping-off; a 400-fold zineb solution can be sprayed; in the rainy season, plant ash can be applied or a 20-fold garlic infusion sprayed for control; once a week, when it is not raining, spray a 700-fold thiophanate-methyl solution and chlorothalonil. The main pest damage is from nematodes, which can be controlled by drenching with a 1500-fold solution of 90% trichlorfon stock solution.