A Detailed Guide to the Latest Cultivation Methods for Red Spider Lily
Red spider lily is also known as “red flower lycoris”. When in full bloom it looks like a ball of flame, and it grows beautifully and elegantly. Many people like to grow red spider lily, as placing it in the living room, on the balcony, and elsewhere in the home also serves to beautify the environment. Below, let us take a look at the cultivation methods for red spider lily!
Planting Methods for Red Spider Lily
The cultivation method for red spider lily is very simple. Strip the small bulbs from around the main bulb of the red spider lily for propagation, trim off the residual roots of the main bulb, and plant once the wounds have dried. For pot cultivation, choose a large bulb that has grown for 3 years and can bloom (with a diameter of 7 cm or more) for potting. One bulb can be planted per pot, planted shallowly, so that 1/3 of the bulb sits above the soil surface.
Cultivation Methods for Red Spider Lily
1. Water and fertilizer management: After potting the red spider lily, water once, just enough to make the soil slightly moist. Water again after new leaves emerge, and apply liquid fertilizer once every half month. Between February and March, after sprouting, repot or replace the potting soil. During the summer dormant period, water sparingly; in spring and autumn, keep the potting soil moist regularly. During the growing season, apply a diluted cake fertilizer solution once every half month.
2. Light control: Red spider lily prefers partial shade. Avoid direct sunlight in summer; in spring and autumn, keep it in a partially shaded place for care. During the wintering period, strictly control watering and stop fertilizing.
3. Pest and disease control: Common pests of red spider lily include the tobacco cutworm, the lycoris noctuid moth, thrips, and grubs. After the red spider lily blooms, the scape should be cut off to reduce the loss of nutrients.
Precautions for Red Spider Lily
1. Planting depth should not be too deep: The planting depth for red spider lily should not be too deep; it is best for the top of the bulb to be just buried at the soil surface.
2. Well-drained soil: The soil should be well-drained sandy soil or loose potting soil. During the vegetative growth period, water regularly; from 20 days before flowering to the flowering period, a sufficient supply of water is essential to achieve uniform flowering and to help the flowers last. Keep the soil moist, but do not let water accumulate, to prevent the bulb from rotting.
3. The rhizome of red spider lily is toxic: Although red spider lily is highly ornamental, its rhizome is toxic. The bulb contains the alkaloid lycorine, which can cause symptoms such as vomiting and convulsions. It must not be eaten casually, but it can be used for sedation, inhibition of drug metabolism, and anticancer effects. Despite its toxicity, the bulb can be eaten after processing and is also used as a medicinal material.