Cultivation Methods and Key Points of Pest and Disease Control for Lycoris aurea
Lycoris aurea, also known as Iron-Colored Arrow and Yellow-Flowered Stone Garlic, is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Lycoris in the Amaryllidaceae family. In landscaping, it can be used as understory ground cover flowers, planted in groups in flower borders, or naturally planted among rocks. Because it blooms when it has no leaves, it is best paired with other shade-tolerant herbaceous plants. It has characteristics such as sturdy scapes and long flower stems.
Lycoris aurea, also known as Iron-Colored Arrow and Yellow-Flowered Stone Garlic, is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Lycoris in the Amaryllidaceae family. In landscaping, it can be used as understory ground cover flowers, planted in groups in flower borders, or naturally planted among rocks. Because it blooms when it has no leaves, it is best paired with other shade-tolerant herbaceous plants. It has characteristics such as sturdy scapes and long flower stems. Let us take a look at the cultivation methods for Lycoris aurea!
Growth Habits of Lycoris aurea
Lycoris aurea prefers sunny and moist environments such as shady damp hillsides, rocks, and beneath stone cliffs, but it can also tolerate semi-shade and arid environments. It is slightly cold-hardy and has strong vitality. It has no strict requirements for soil, but if the soil is fertile and well-drained, the flowers will be exceptionally abundant. It is distributed in Fujian, Taiwan, China, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Sichuan, and Yunnan in China, as well as in Japan and Myanmar.
Propagation Methods of Lycoris aurea
1. Bulb division propagation: Division is the simplest and most commonly used propagation method for Lycoris aurea. During the dormant period or after flowering, dig up the plant, remove the offset bulbs attached near the mother bulb and plant them. They will bloom in about one to two years.
2. Scale cutting: Cut the cleaned bulb base in a star pattern into eight sections, with a depth of 1/2 to 2/3 of the bulb length. After disinfection and drying in the shade, insert into moist sand, perlite, or other substrates. After separation and cultivation, they can develop into seedlings.
3. Tissue culture: Tissue culture of Lycoris aurea uses MS medium. Flower scapes and ovaries are collected as explant materials. After culturing, callus tissue can be produced at the cut surface. Adventitious roots can form after 1 month, and adventitious buds can form after 3 to 4 months.
Planting Methods for Lycoris aurea
1. Temperature: Lycoris aurea prefers warmth. Its cold tolerance is not high, and its heat tolerance is also not very good. Therefore, during cultivation, the temperature should not exceed 30 degrees, nor should it be lower than 8°C. The average temperature should be maintained at around 24 degrees at minimum.
2. Watering: Lycoris aurea prefers moisture. Especially during the growing period, watering should be frequent, and care should be taken at all times to keep the soil moist. However, watering should not be excessive to avoid waterlogging, which can cause the bulbs to rot.
3. Fertilizing: Under normal circumstances, fertilizing 2 to 4 times a year is sufficient for Lycoris aurea. The first time is before flowering, applying organic fertilizer or compound fertilizer. The second time is after flowering at the end of October, applying nitrogen fertilizer and phosphorus-potassium fertilizer.
Pest and Disease Control for Lycoris aurea
1. Anthracnose: A common disease of Lycoris aurea is anthracnose. Before planting, soak the bulbs in 0.3% copper sulfate solution for 30 minutes, rinse with water, dry, and then plant. Spray 50% carbendazim wettable powder at 500 times dilution every half month for prevention and control. In the early stages of the disease, spray 50% benlate at 2500 times dilution.
2. Spodoptera litura: Spodoptera litura mainly damages leaves, flower buds, and fruits with its larvae, gnawing on leaf flesh and boring into scapes and seeds. It generally causes damage from late spring to November. It can be controlled with 5% fipronil suspension concentrate at 2500 times dilution or Wanling at 1000 times dilution.
3. Lycoris noctuid: Combine with winter or early spring plowing to dig out overwintering pupae and reduce the pest population base. When outbreaks occur, spray chlorpyrifos at 1500 times dilution or phoxim emulsifiable concentrate at 800 times dilution. Spraying in the morning or evening when larvae come out to feed gives better results.
4. Thrips: Thrips mainly feed on nutrients at the leaf emergence area of the Lycoris aurea bulb, causing leaf chlorosis, especially noticeable after fruit maturation. They can be controlled by alternating sprays of 25% imidacloprid at 3000 times dilution and 70% Admire at 6000 to 10000 times dilution.
Pest and Disease Control for Lycoris aurea
Anthracnose of Lycoris aurea and Its Control
Anthracnose symptoms: It causes the branches and leaves of Lycoris aurea to wilt or die.
Anthracnose control: Before planting with bulbs, first soak in copper sulfate solution for half an hour, rinse clean with water, dry, and then plant. Spray carbendazim every half month. In the early stages of the disease, benlate can be sprayed.
Spodoptera litura on Lycoris aurea and Its Control
Spodoptera litura symptoms: The larvae of Spodoptera litura damage leaves, flower buds, and fruits, gnawing away the flesh and hollowing out seeds. It generally occurs in late spring and November.
Spodoptera litura control: Fipronil and Wanling can be used for control.
Lycoris noctuid on Lycoris aurea and Its Control
Lycoris noctuid symptoms: The larvae of Lycoris noctuid invade the Lycoris aurea plant, hollowing out the leaves, and also directly bore into the interior of the bulb. Large amounts of green or brown fecal pellets are left at the affected areas of the plant.
Lycoris noctuid control: If neatly arranged eggs are found on the underside of leaves, they should be removed promptly. Overwintering pupae can also be dug out by combining with early spring plowing or winter. When pests occur, chlorpyrifos or phoxim emulsion can be sprayed. It is best to spray in the morning or evening when larvae come out to feed.
Thrips on Lycoris aurea and Its Control
Thrips symptoms: Thrips feed on nutrients at the leaf emergence area of the bulb, causing the leaves to lose their green color.
Thrips control: Imidacloprid and Admire can be used in alternating sprays for control.
Lycoris aurea (L'Herit) Herb Lycoris aurea Illustrated Guide: How to Grow Lycoris aurea / How to Propagate Lycoris aurea
Lycoris aurea ProfileLycoris aurea (L'Herit) Herb
Cultivation Methods and Precautions for Lycoris aurea Introduction to Lycoris aurea
Lycoris aurea (scientific name: Lycoris aurea), also known as Iron-Colored Arrow (Compendium of Materia Medica) and Yellow-Flowered Stone Garlic, is a plant of the genus Lycoris in the Amaryllidaceae family.
Morphological Characteristics of Lycoris aurea
Perennial herb. Bulb ovoid, about 5 cm in diameter. Leaves basal, thick, broadly linear, emerging in autumn, sword-shaped, about 60 cm long, up to 2.5 cm wide at the widest point, gradually narrowing toward the base, about 1.7 cm wide, apex acuminate, with a distinct pale-colored band in the middle. Scape about 60 cm tall; involucral bracts 2, lanceolate, about 3.5 cm long, about 0.8 cm wide; umbel with 4-8 flowers; flowers yellow or orange; perianth segments with a pale green midrib on the back, oblanceolate, about 6 cm long, about 1 cm wide, strongly recurved and wrinkled, perianth tube 1.2-1.5 cm long; stamens slightly exserted beyond the perianth, about 1/6 longer than the perianth, filaments yellow; upper part of style rose-red. Capsule trigonous, loculicidal; seeds few, nearly spherical, about 0.7 cm in diameter, black, each locule of the capsule containing several seeds. Flowering period August-September, fruiting period October.
Perennial herb. Bulb broadly elliptical. Leaves emerge in early winter, linear or band-shaped. Scape emerging before leaves, about 30 cm tall, bearing 4-6 flowers terminally; flowers bright red or with white margins, perianth tube very short, upper part 6-lobed, lobes narrowly lanceolate, 4 cm long, margins wrinkled, recurved outward; stamens 6; ovary inferior, 3-locular, style slender. Capsule dehiscing along the back. Seeds numerous. Flowering period September-October, fruiting period October-November. Grows on shady damp mountain slopes or beneath forest, also cultivated. Stem up to 6 cm tall, composed of 10-20 layers of persistent leaf sheath bases, outer surface brown. Leaves emerge in autumn, sometimes flowers and leaves emerging together in summer and autumn. Leaves 4-8, sword-shaped, green, leathery, 50-60 cm long, 2-3.5 cm wide, gradually narrowing toward the base and conduplicate, apex acuminate, midrib flat above and raised beneath. Scape 60-80 cm tall, some reaching 100 cm, green, sometimes purplish, 5-15 mm thick. Involucral bracts 2, lanceolate, membranous, white, 3-4 cm long, 1-1.5 cm wide, apex acuminate, reflexed at full bloom; umbel with 4-9 flowers, each flower with 1 bractlet, bractlets white, linear-lanceolate, 0.5-1.5 cm long, 1-2 mm wide; pedicel green, trigonous, 1 cm long; perianth 7 cm long; perianth tube 1 cm long; perianth segments 6, yellow, in 2 indistinct whorls, equal, band-shaped, clustered upward, recurved upward, 5-6 cm long, 5-10 mm wide, midrib keeled on the back, apex with a beaked small apiculus, lateral margins thin, with 3-6 pairs of wrinkles; stamens 6, clustered downward, filaments yellow, base connate with perianth tube, free at the throat, 6-7 cm long, sometimes reaching 10 cm, extending forward then curving upward; anthers purplish-brown, linear, 10 mm long, about 1.2 mm wide, dorsifixed, versatile, 2-locular, dehiscing laterally, shrinking and curving downward into a horseshoe shape after dehiscence; style linear, yellow, upper part purple, 9-10 cm long; ovary green, nearly spherical, 3-4 mm long. Capsule trigonous, loculicidal; seeds few, black, nearly spherical, 6-7 mm in diameter, surface with fine tubercles. Flowering period May-August, fruiting period November. Bulb ovoid, 2-3 cm in diameter, outer coat brown. Leaves emerging in autumn. Leaves band-shaped, over 40 cm long, 1.5-2 cm wide. Involucral bracts 2, lanceolate. Umbel with 3-8 flowers, pedicel 3.5-4 cm long; perianth zygomorphic, about 7.5 cm long; red, perianth tube up to 1.5 cm long, segments oblanceolate, 6 cm long, about 1.2 cm wide, apex obtuse; stamens clustered downward, apex curving upward, filaments 6.5 cm long, nearly equal to perianth; style 8 cm long.
Ecological Habits of Lycoris aurea
Grows on shady damp rocks or in fertile soil beneath stone cliffs. A shade-loving plant that prefers warm and shady moist environments, also slightly cold-tolerant, with a summer dormancy habit. Not particular about soil, but humus-rich, moist, and well-drained soil is preferred.
Prefers warm and humid environments. Grows on shady damp rocks or in fertile soil beneath stone cliffs. Cold tolerance is somewhat poor. In the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, the above-ground parts often wither due to frost damage in winter, but the underground bulbs can safely overwinter. Has a summer dormancy habit, flowering period August-September.
Lycoris aurea can also be grown hydroponically like narcissus for ornamental enjoyment, offering a unique charm. The method is as follows: after June each year, when the above-ground leaves of Lycoris aurea have completely fallen off, dig the bulbs out of the soil, taking care to keep the root system as intact as possible. Soak the roots in warm water at 25°C to 30°C with a little potassium permanganate for 24 to 36 hours. Then plant them in a narcissus bowl or other container with water and fix them with gravel. Place in a ventilated indoor location with sufficient light. Generally, beautiful flowers will open in 10 to 15 days. During the flowering period, besides adding water promptly, no fertilizing is generally needed. After the flowers fade, the scape can be cut off and the bulbs replanted in soil for maintenance until the following year.
Daily Management: Lycoris aurea is cold-tolerant, drought-tolerant, and salt-alkali tolerant, but fears waterlogging and exposure to strong sun. Excessive light is the main factor causing it not to bloom. Daily management should pay attention to keeping the soil moist, especially before the flowering period. If drought weather occurs, 2 to 3 consecutive thorough waterings are needed. During its growing period, some thin, quick-acting chemical fertilizers can be applied as appropriate. When the scape gradually begins to emerge, a thin, decomposed phosphorus-potassium fertilizer can be applied once more along with watering. As the dormant period approaches, watering should be gradually reduced and fertilizing stopped.
Origin of the Name Lycoris aurea
"Crab-claw filaments and silken petals entwine, a colorful embroidery ball with unique charm. Silent all day, secretly gathering strength, in autumn it bursts forth laughing across the streams." Lycoris aurea is a plant with both excellent flowers and foliage, and it is also very peculiar: its originally lush clusters of green leaves, in early summer, will silently wither and disappear without a trace; in midsummer, its scape suddenly shoots up from the ground, blooming with uniquely charming, golden brilliant flowers, giving people joy and surprise, and its name is derived from this.
Distribution Area of Lycoris aurea
Distributed in Japan, Myanmar, Taiwan, China, as well as Hubei, Hunan, Guangxi, Yunnan, Guangdong, Fujian, Sichuan, and other places in mainland China. It grows in areas at altitudes of 600 m to 2,300 m, found on shady damp hillsides. It has not yet been introduced and cultivated artificially.
Landscaping Uses of Lycoris aurea
Lycoris aurea is upright and rigid, with terminal yellow inflorescences that are bright and eye-catching. Planted in groups under semi-shady forest or dotted in rock gardens, it can also be used as cut flowers.
Ornamental Application: Although the flowers and leaves of Lycoris aurea cannot be enjoyed together, its foliage is emerald green and upright, and it often sprouts and reveals its freshness in extreme ice and snow; its flowers, though blooming unexpectedly, are dazzling and magnificent. It can be used not only for garden configuration, adorning bamboo groves and quiet paths, but also for potted and hydroponic cultivation, placed indoors or in courtyards. The peculiar alternation of flowers and leaves often gives people a fresh and refreshing natural beauty.
This species has emerald green foliage in winter and brilliant golden flowers in summer and autumn. It is suitable for flower beds, flower borders, rock gardens, and as understory ground cover.
The bulbs can be used to make alcohol, extract lycorine, and also serve as pesticide. It can be used as ornamental flowers for courtyards and indoor spaces, used as ornamental flowers for courtyards and indoor spaces, and can also be used as cut flowers. The bulbs can be used to make alcohol, extract lycorine, and also serve as pesticide.
Medicinal Value: Besides being used for ornamental purposes, Lycoris aurea is also an excellent traditional Chinese medicine. It is sweet and warm in nature, slightly toxic, and has effects such as clearing heat and detoxifying, dispersing nodules and reducing swelling. It can be used to treat toxic sores and boils, venomous snake bites, rheumatoid arthritis, and other conditions.
Functions and Uses of Lycoris aurea
Can be used for ornamental purposes; the bulb is toxic. Besides extracting lycorine for medicinal use, it can also be used to extract starch for industrial purposes.
Dietary or Medicinal Value of Lycoris aurea
The medical information and health dietary information on Huahua Network is for reference only and cannot be used as a basis for diagnosis or medical treatment. Any health issues should be consulted with professional medical personnel, and treatment of any disease should follow medical advice.
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The medical content on Huahua Network is for reference only and cannot be regarded as professional advice. Any health issues should be consulted with professional medical personnel.
Medicinal Information (1)
[Chinese Name] Hudixiao, Yellow-Flowered Stone Garlic, Rock Garlic, Yellow Dragon Claw, Single-Foot Garlic Head, Large Single Arrow, Heavenly Garlic, Single Garlic, Crow Garlic, Dragon Claw Flower, Golden Lantern Flower, Crab Flower
[Pinyin] Hudixiao
[English Name] Golden Stonegarlic
[Latin Scientific Name] Lycoris aurea (L'Her.) Herb.
[Family and Genus Classification] Amaryllidaceae, Lycoris
[Plant Morphology] Perennial herb. Bulb plump, nearly ovoid, about 5 cm in diameter, covered with dark brown bulb tunic. Leaves emerge in autumn, basal; leaf blades thick, broadly linear, about 60 cm long, up to 2.5 cm wide at the widest point, gradually narrowing toward the base, about 1.7 cm wide, apex acuminate, upper surface yellow-green, glossy, lower surface gray-green, midrib sunken above and raised beneath. Veins and leaf base tinged with purplish-red. Flowers before leaves; scape 30-60 cm tall, involucral bracts 2, lanceolate, about 3.5 cm long, about 8 mm wide; umbel with 4-8 flowers, flowers relatively large, yellow or orange, slightly zygomorphic; perianth segments 6, oblanceolate, about 6 cm long, about 1 cm wide, with a pale green midrib on the back, strongly recurved and wrinkled; perianth tube about 1.2-1.5 cm long, stipitate; stamens 6, exserted beyond the perianth together with the style, filaments yellow; upper part of style rose-red, ovary inferior, 3-locular. Capsule 3-angled, loculicidal; seeds few, nearly spherical, about 7 mm in diameter, black. Flowering period August-September, fruiting period October.
[Habitat and Distribution] Grows on shady damp hillsides, rocks, and in fertile soil beneath stone cliffs. Distributed in Southwest China and Jiangsu, Anhui, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Fujian, Taiwan, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, and other places.
[Medicinal Part] The bulb is used as medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine name: Iron-Colored Arrow.
[Harvesting and Processing] Dig out the bulbs in autumn. Select the large ones, wash clean, use fresh or dry in the sun for medicinal use. The small ones are kept as seed bulbs.
[Main Components] The bulb contains lycorine, lycrenine, galanthamine, pseudolycorine, homolycorine, tazettine, and lycoramine. The stem contains galanthamine and lycoramine.
[Pharmacological Effects] Anti-tumor, anti-viral, analgesic, emetic, and excitatory effects on animal uterine and small intestine smooth muscles.
[Nature, Flavor, and Functions] Pungent, sweet, slightly cold, toxic. Moistens the lungs and stops cough, detoxifies and reduces swelling.
[Indications and Usage] Lung heat cough, or coughing blood, yin deficiency consumptive fever, difficult urination, carbuncle swelling and sore toxin, boils and scrofula, scalds and burns. External use: appropriate amount, pound and apply or pound and squeeze juice to apply.
1. Treating carbuncle swelling and sore toxin: Lycoris aurea, wild chrysanthemum leaves, and Sanpifeng, pound together, squeeze juice and apply to affected area. (Sichuan Traditional Chinese Medicine Journal)
2. Treating red swelling below the ear: Lycoris aurea and chrysanthemum leaves pounded together, squeeze juice, add yellow cypress tree sap, mix well and apply to affected area. (Sichuan Traditional Chinese Medicine Journal)
Pharmacological Effects
1. Anti-cancer and anti-viral effects: The contained pseudolycorine has anti-cancer and anti-viral effects. It has inhibitory effects on rat W256 carcinosarcoma and human cervical cancer (Hela) cells; it has inhibitory effects on mouse lymphocyte choriomeningitis virus, encephalomyocarditis virus, and Japanese B encephalitis virus.
2. Other effects: The contained lycrenine has excitatory effects on animal uterine and small intestine smooth muscles. The contained galanthamine has anti-cholinesterase and certain analgesic effects. The fluid extract of this product has emetic effects on dogs and pigeons, producing emesis through reflex action and central action. Rabbits given 0.1 g (crude drug)/kg by gavage showed significantly increased respiratory secretion with expectorant effects.
3. Toxicity: The median lethal dose by gavage in mice is 26.42 g (crude drug)/kg.
Textual Research
In the "Compendium of Materia Medica," under the Stone Garlic entry, it says: "A type with leaves like large chives, bolting in the fourth and fifth months, blooming flowers like small tubular flowers that are yellow-white, called Iron-Colored Arrow, with the same functions as this (Stone Garlic). Both plants bolt and bloom, then produce leaves afterward, leaves and flowers never meeting, same as Golden Lantern." According to the description of Iron-Colored Arrow in the "Compendium of Materia Medica," it is the Amaryllidaceae plant Lycoris aurea.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Components
The bulb contains lycorine, lycrenine, galanthamine, pseudolycorine, homolycorine, tazettine, and lycoramine. The stem contains galanthamine and lycoramine.
Harvesting and Storage
Dig out the bulbs in autumn. Select the large ones, wash clean, use fresh or dry in the sun for medicinal use. The small ones are kept as seed bulbs.
Propagation Methods of Lycoris aurea
Lycoris aurea is mostly propagated by the method of dividing bulbs. The best time for dividing bulbs is from April to June, when the old bulbs are in a dormant state and the outer skin is relatively loose. Select robust old plants that are several years old and have multiple small bulbs. Break off the small bulbs, keeping as many fibrous roots as possible to promote flowering in the same year. Generally, division propagation requires an interval of 4-5 years. For seed sowing, sow immediately after collection in autumn. Embryonic roots grow in the same year, and germination occurs the following spring. Seedlings need 5-6 years of cultivation before flowering.
(1) Cut the Lycoris aurea bulb from the top of the basal plate downward in a star pattern, with a cutting depth of 1/2 to 2/3 of the mother bulb height;
(2) Soak the above cut mother bulb in culture solution for 30 minutes, remove and dry in the shade; the culture solution is a mixed solution formed from the following composition diluted 1000 times with water, wherein the volume ratio of each composition in the mixed solution is: disinfectant: 30-35%, culture medium: 3-3.5%, growth regulator: 62-67%; the culture medium is a mixed solution formed from MS, 6BA at a concentration of 0.1 mg/L, and NAA at a concentration of 0.15 mg/L, wherein the volume ratio of each composition in the mixed solution is: MS: 11-13%, 6BA: 74-78%, NAA: 11-13%; the growth regulator is a mixed solution formed from 1% gibberellin crystalline granule aqueous solution and 2% potassium oxide aqueous solution, wherein the volume ratio of each composition in the mixed solution is: gibberellin crystalline granule aqueous solution: 75-80%, potassium oxide aqueous solution: 20-25%;
(3) Plant the shade-dried mother bulb upside down on the cultivation substrate, and maintain for 3 months to induce adventitious buds; wherein the cultivation substrate is composed of perlite, peat soil, and vermiculite mixed in a 1:1:1 ratio;
(4) Transplant the adventitious buds that have developed leaves separately onto culture soil, and spray with water.
Cultivation Techniques for Lycoris aurea Cultivation:
Prefers warm and humid environments. Cold tolerance is somewhat poor. In the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, the above-ground parts often wither due to frost damage in winter, but the underground bulbs can safely overwinter. Has a summer dormancy habit, flowering period August-September. Choose a semi-shady location with good drainage and fertile soil for planting. Rich soil can also be used for pot cultivation. Generally, no fertilizing is needed for ground planting. The planting depth is about 2/3 to 3/4 of the bulb diameter. For ground planting, the row spacing is 10 to 15 cm; for pot cultivation, 3 to 5 plants per pot is suitable. After planting, water thoroughly and keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. The optimal temperature for new root growth is 22°C to 30°C. Generally, new leaves grow 15 to 20 days after planting.
Lycoris aurea has strong adaptability and prefers shady damp environments and humus-rich fertile sandy loam and calcareous loam. It is relatively cold-tolerant, salt-alkali tolerant, not drought-tolerant, and fears waterlogging and exposure to strong sun. For ground-planted Lycoris aurea, besides regular watering, generally no excessive fertilizing is needed. If fertilizing, some quick-acting chemical fertilizers can be applied to promote leaf vegetative growth; a small amount of topdressing can be applied from March to April to promote bulb enlargement; a small amount of organic fertilizer can be applied during the dormant period from June to July. If drought weather occurs before summer flowering, 2 to 3 consecutive thorough waterings are needed. When the scape gradually begins to emerge, a thin decomposed phosphorus-potassium fertilizer can be applied once along with watering. As the dormant period approaches, watering should be gradually reduced and fertilizing stopped. In winter, the bulbs can be left in the ground to overwinter.
Lycoris aurea can also be grown hydroponically like narcissus for ornamental enjoyment, offering a unique charm. The method is as follows: after June each year, when the above-ground leaves of Lycoris aurea have completely fallen off, dig the bulbs out of the soil, taking care to keep the root system as intact as possible. Soak the roots in warm water at 25°C to 30°C with a little potassium permanganate for 24 to 36 hours. Then plant them in a narcissus bowl or other container with water and fix them with gravel. Place in a ventilated indoor location with sufficient light. Generally, beautiful flowers will open in 10 to 15 days. During the flowering period, besides adding water promptly, no fertilizing is generally needed. After the flowers fade, the scape can be cut off and the bulbs replanted in soil for maintenance until the following year.
Daily Management: Lycoris aurea is cold-tolerant, drought-tolerant, and salt-alkali tolerant, but fears waterlogging and exposure to strong sun. Excessive light is the main factor causing it not to bloom. Daily management should pay attention to keeping the soil moist, especially before the flowering period. If drought weather occurs, 2 to 3 consecutive thorough waterings are needed. During its growing period, some thin, quick-acting chemical fertilizers can be applied as appropriate. When the scape gradually begins to emerge, a thin, decomposed phosphorus-potassium fertilizer can be applied once more along with watering. As the dormant period approaches, watering should be gradually reduced and fertilizing stopped.
Growth Characteristics
Lycoris aurea prefers warm and humid environments. Cold tolerance is somewhat poor. In the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, the above-ground parts often wither due to frost damage in winter, but the underground bulbs can safely overwinter. Has a summer dormancy habit, flowering period August-September.
Propagation is mainly by bulb division, carried out after autumn flowering or when spring leaves have just withered. When separating bulbs, keep as many fibrous roots as possible to promote flowering in the same year. Generally, division propagation requires an interval of 4-5 years.
For seed sowing, sow immediately after collection in autumn, and germination occurs the following spring. Seedlings need 5-6 years of cultivation before flowering. Generally, no fertilizing is needed for ground cultivation. Planting depth is 12-14 cm. If drought weather occurs before summer flowering, 1-2 thorough waterings are needed, and in early autumn the scapes emerge uniformly. When fruits ripen in October, they split open on their own and release seeds. Pay attention to collecting and saving seeds. In winter, bulbs are left in the ground to overwinter.
Disease Control for Lycoris aurea
Lycoris aurea rarely suffers from pests and diseases. Occasionally, anthracnose damages the leaves. Diseased leaves can be promptly pruned away, and 50% thiophanate at 500 times dilution can be sprayed for control.
This species is a toxic plant included in the Chinese Plant Atlas Database. Its toxicity is that the entire plant is toxic, with the bulb being more toxic. After ingestion, symptoms include salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, stiff tongue, convulsions, cold limbs, shock, and even death from respiratory paralysis. Cases of poisoning death from accidental ingestion have occurred in Guangxi. The LD50 by gavage in mice is 26.42 g/kg bulb (extract). After administration, symptoms include ataxia, head drooping, limb weakness, and salivation. Before death, convulsions and difficulty breathing occur. Dogs given 0.76 g/kg by gavage showed salivation, severe vomiting, and refusal to eat after half an hour, with death on the second to third day. Necropsy examination revealed gastrointestinal mucosal congestion. The emetic effect of this plant is the result of reflex stimulation of the gastric mucosa and direct action on the vomiting center.
Flower Language of Lycoris aurea
Because the entire plant of Lycoris aurea is highly toxic, its flower language and legends carry a certain mysterious quality. Legend says that Lycoris aurea is the tenderness of demons. It is a flower in heaven that voluntarily descended into hell, but was sent back by the demons. However, because it could not return to heaven, it still wanders on the road to the underworld. The demons, unable to bear it, agreed to let Lycoris aurea bloom on this ordinary path, giving guidance and comfort to the souls departing the mortal world. Therefore, its flower language is: the love of death, love that is very painful.
Lycoris aurea Pictures