When does the torch lily of the Liliaceae family bloom, and how should it be grown so it flowers?
Torch lily, also known as red hot poker and torch flower, is a fairly common perennial herbaceous plant of the Liliaceae family in China. Because its flower color and flower shape closely resemble a burning torch, it is widely cultivated, and many people now grow it indoors to enhance its ornamental value. So when does the torch lily bloom? Which month is its flowering season? How should it be grown to make it flower?
Flowering time:
If seedlings sown last year are transplanted and set out in April to June of the following year, then the torch lily can be seen in full bloom in September to October.
Which month is the flowering season?
May to mid-June is the natural flowering season of the torch lily. The flower stems are usually 100-140 cm tall, while dwarf varieties are about 40-60 cm. The inflorescence is a dense spicate raceme, 20-30 cm long, made up of more than a hundred small flowers. The number of small flowers can reach more than 300. The small flowers open gradually from bottom to top, and the flowering period of one inflorescence lasts about 20 days. On vigorous individual plants growing in early spring, the lateral buds on the lower part of the flower stem will sprout and bloom again after flowering. After the first batch of flowers on the rhizome clump has bloomed, some later-developing individual plants will also bloom another batch of flowers.
Growing techniques:
1. Soil and flower container
The torch lily is not very demanding about soil, but loose, fertile sandy soil is preferable. If planted outdoors, ordinary garden soil is fine. If grown indoors in a pot, river sand, garden soil and leaf mold can be mixed in a 3:1:2 ratio.
The root system of the torch lily is not very developed and is fleshy, with few root hairs, so when choosing a container, an breathable clay pot or purple clay pot is preferable. Because the torch lily grows fairly tall, the pot should be chosen a little taller and larger.
2. Water and fertilizer
The red hot poker is drought-tolerant and does not like moisture, so in ordinary care it should be kept dry rather than wet. When first potting, water thoroughly, and in normal times water thoroughly once every two weeks.
Before planting, decomposed cake fertilizer can be placed in the bottom of the pot as a base fertilizer. During the growing season, apply potassium dihydrogen phosphate fertilizer once a month, which can improve the soil and increase the nutrients the flowers need. Before winter, apply an organic compound fertilizer once to supplement more nutrient elements.
3. Light and temperature
The torch lily likes plenty of light. If it grows in a shaded place, the leaves often lack luster, the whole plant becomes leggy, and no flower buds appear. A daily light duration of 6 hours is preferable. If the light is not too harsh, shading is not necessary. The suitable growing temperature for the red hot poker is 18-30 degrees, and in winter it can withstand severe cold of minus 10 degrees.
4. Pruning and shaping
Generally, plants grown for more than two years need shaping and pruning. If a torch lily has grown for three years or even more, each plant will grow more than a dozen tiller buds at the base, which causes crowded growth and poor ventilation. At this point we need to prune, and the small seedlings cut off should be divided and cultivated separately.
5. Pest and disease management
The common disease of the torch lily is leaf spot. After it appears, black spots appear on the plant's leaves, mainly caused by stuffy, unventilated air. Once discovered, promptly prune away the diseased branches and leaves, and spray with Bordeaux mixture.
The common insect pests of the torch lily are scarab beetles and aphids, which suck the leaf sap and, in severe cases, can cause the whole plant to wither. Omethoate can be sprayed on the whole plant for control.