Crinum moorei, scientific name Crinum moorei Hook. f, is a plant of the genus Crinum in the family Amaryllidaceae. It is a perennial bulbous herbaceous flower with broad, thick leaves that remain deep green year-round; the scape grows upright in all four seasons, generally bearing 10 to 24 flowers arranged in an umbel at the top of the scape, purple-red in the center and pink on the sides, with capsule fruits and large green seeds; the full bloom period is in July. Crinum moorei prefers warmth and humidity, tolerates slight shade and saline-alkaline soil, is not cold-hardy, and its optimum growth temperature is 15 to 20°C. Crinum moorei is beautiful in both flower and foliage and has high ornamental value; it can be used as a decorative accent for green spaces in garden scenic areas, campuses and institutions, and lawns in residential communities, and can also be used as a courtyard decorative flower.
Propagation Methods
Crinum moorei is commonly propagated by division and by sowing.
Division propagation: Division can be carried out in spring or autumn, preferably in spring when repotting. Tip the mother plant out of the pot, peel off the surrounding bulbs, and plant them separately.
Sowing propagation: March to April is preferable. In northern regions, artificial pollination is needed, otherwise it rarely sets seed. The seeds have high water content and are best sown immediately after harvest. They can be sown in a shallow pot by the spot method, covered with about 2 cm of soil, watered thoroughly, and kept at 16 to 22°C with moderate moisture, not too wet; they will germinate in about 2 weeks. When the seedlings grow 2 to 3 true leaves, they can be transplanted into small pots. They can flower after 3 to 4 years of cultivation.
Cultivation Techniques
Large pot and deep planting: To meet the nutrients needed during the growth period of Crinum moorei, a relatively large flower pot should be chosen for deep planting during cultivation, so as to help retain water and soil and support root development.
Water and fertilizer management: During the normal growth period of Crinum moorei, from May to September, water an appropriate amount every day, letting the soil dry between waterings. Apply once every 7 to 10 days a fertilizer solution fermented from oil cake residue plus black alum (ferrous sulfate); its concentration should be light at first and then stronger, and application should stop in winter.
Removing adventitious buds: During the vigorous growth period, Crinum moorei always frequently produces adventitious buds around the rhizome; to ensure an upright plant shape, neat rhizome and normal growth of the whole plant, the adventitious buds should be removed promptly.
Sunlight and shading: To keep the leaves emerald green, attractive and neat without affecting light exposure, Crinum moorei should be properly shaded during the intense heat of midsummer; from 7 a.m. to 12 noon it should receive full sun, and from 12 noon to 3 p.m. a shade frame should be set up for shading.
Pest and Disease Control
Under high temperature and humidity, leaf spot and leaf blight easily occur on the leaves and leaf bases. Management should be strengthened, diseased leaves removed promptly, and ventilation maintained. In the early stage of disease, chemical methods can be used for control.