Eucomis genus perennial plants Hyacinth family. IN natural conditions common in southern Africa. The name is translated from Greek as “beautiful hair” or “beautiful cowlick”. Among the people, the names “tufted lily” or “pineapple lily” have taken root.
Description of Eucomis
Eucomis - fast growing bulbous herbaceous plant. The bulbs are large, ovoid, brilliant, form a powerful root system. The leaves are collected in a basal rosette, numerous, belt-shaped, linear or lanceolate, glossy, often with brown spots in the lower part, wavy along the edge, reaching 60 cm in length.
The peduncle is a thick elastic arrow with a bunch of small leaves at the top, up to 100 cm long. The flowers are collected in a dense cylindrical long (up to 30 cm) raceme, multiple, wheel-shaped, white or light green with a brown or purple tint. The perianth is divided into six pale-colored lobes fused at the base, which do not fall off after flowering. The stamens (six) are filamentous, fused with the perianth. The ovary is three-costal, round. The fruit is a triangular capsule, opening along the edges. The seeds are ovoid, dark brown or black. 
Types and varieties of Eucomis
Homeland - tropics and subtropics of South Africa. There are 14 species in the genus.
Eucomis autumnalis
Ornamental plants with large bulbs and a rosette of long narrow leaves, valued for their long flowering.
Despite their tropical origin, plants of this species are quite frost-resistant.
Eucomis bicolor
Homeland - South Africa. Cultivated in Europe as early as 1878.
Plants are 40-60 cm high. Light green flowers and bracts appearing at the end of summer have a purple frame.
‘Alba‘ - cultivar with greenish-white flowers. The stems and leaves are uniform in color.
Eukomis crested, or Eucomis punctata. The species was introduced to Europe from South Africa in 1778.
The flower stalks and the undersides of the leaves are covered with spots. The color of the perianth can be greenish-white, pink or purple.
'Strict'- leaves of this garden form, bred back in 1790, the underside is streaked with longitudinal brownish-red stripes.
Eucomis Paul- a very rare species with large inflorescences of greenish-white or green flowers.
Eucomis zambezian- has inflorescences of greenish-white flowers.
Planting and caring for Eucomis
The main care for Eukomis consists of regular watering of the plant and fertilizing. Watering is stopped when the leaves of the flower turn yellow. The plant enters a dormant period that lasts until spring. It is recommended to store the onion at a temperature no higher than 11 degrees. This is usually the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. When stored in room conditions you won't get beautiful blooms. The bulb can be placed in a paper bag. 
Feeding is carried out 2-3 times throughout the entire season. But it is important to know that Eucomis does not like fertilizers that contain nitrogen.
IN open ground Eucomis are planted in June to prevent the possibility of frost. Deepen the bulb by 2.5-3.5 cm. Select for landing sunny place, without drafts. The soil is loose, rich in humus, well-drained. After the flower stalk appears, the plant is fertilized once every two weeks with complex mineral fertilizer.
In the southern regions, the bulb can be left to overwinter in the soil, covered with dry leaves. The plant in the pot is transferred to a cool room. Since the development of the bulb consumes a lot of nutrients from the soil, it becomes poor. In autumn or spring, be sure to transplant the bulb into fresh soil.
Eucomis in landscape design
The culture is valued by gardeners for its long, beautiful flowering and the preservation of decorative qualities after it. With its exotic appearance, the pineapple lily attracts attention anywhere in the garden. When planting eucomis in a container, it is later used as a mobile plant. design element, located in different places. 
Works well as a single composition. A clear shape, structure and bright, long-lasting flowering will look original on a green lawn or a small hill near the house.
Also used in rocky gardens. A representative of the flora can become a bright contrast, setting the tone for the entire composition. It will favorably emphasize the greatness of the stones. Beautiful glossy leaves can be safely combined with any crop.
Undeservedly, Eucomis is rarely planted in flower beds.
Caring for Eucomis
The irrigation regime of this exotic plant has its own nuances. After planting the bulbs, water them minimally, avoiding water getting on them. As soon as active leaf growth begins, watering is gradually increased. During flowering or hot weather, plants are watered abundantly. After flowering, the pineapple lily begins a dormant period. Therefore, they begin to reduce watering and stop it completely when all the leaves turn yellow.
Eukomis loves to “eat deliciously.” They begin to feed it after the plant “woke up” and began to grow. Every 2 weeks it is watered with a solution of complex mineral fertilizer without nitrogen. When flowering ends, fertilizing is stopped. When growing eucomis indoors, it is left in a pot for the dormant period, and the soil is replaced in the spring. 
Possible problems when growing Eucomis
Untimely yellowing of leaves and the appearance of brown spots with mold on them indicate the development of fungal diseases. This happens with improper care, namely with excessive watering. In this case, the flower needs to be pulled out of the ground and the bulb inspected. If it is not severely damaged, then the putrefactive spots are removed, and it itself is treated with a fungicide and replanted in new soil.
With a lack of lighting and low air temperatures, flowering of eucomis is inhibited or does not occur at all.
Among the pests, the pineapple palm is often affected by spider mites, aphids and scale insects. Acaricides and insecticides are used to combat them.
Reproduction of Eucomis
Eucomis forms a few daughter bulbs - children, which are quite difficult to separate, because. have a common bottom with the mother bulb. They are left if there is no need for reproduction. Separate by rubbing the cut area activated carbon or, processing in the “Maxim” product. Seed propagation of Eucomis is used in plant breeding, because seedlings do not retain their maternal qualities completely. Seedlings bloom only in the second or third year. 
Storing Eucomis bulbs
It’s also similar to storing Begonias: with a lump of earth either in thick paper or in a pot in the basement. If anyone has experience growing Eucomis in our region.
In the south of Ukraine, they will probably spend the winter in open ground with little shelter. In more northern areas, the culture is similar to gladiolus. The bulbs are planted in early May, and at the end of September they must be dug up and stored on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator at 4–6 °C. With such agricultural technology, eucomis bloom willingly and regularly, but produce very few children. Containers with eucomis can be planted in open ground only when the ground has warmed up well and the threat of frost has passed. The landing site must be protected from the wind. Can be dropped off mature plant directly into the soil - carefully, without damaging the root system, knocking it out of the pot. But in any case, we must remember that this exotic came to us from Africa and does not like dampness and strong winds. From large (4–9 cm in diameter) bulbs a rosette of long, strap-like leaves grows, then a strong flower-bearing arrow appears, 20 to 100 cm high. The inflorescence resembles a pineapple: it consists of many star-shaped flowers, collected in a dense multi-flowered raceme, which, starting from the bottom, gradually bloom.
Eucomis, or eucomis, or pineapple lily (lat. Eucomis)- genus of flowering monocots bulbous plants family Asparagus. In nature, representatives of the genus are found in South Africa. Translated from Greek language"Eukomis" means "beautiful-haired". Plants of the genus received this name from Charles Louis Lerithiy de Brutel in 1788. Four species are grown in culture, although there are 14 of them in the genus. The advantage of Eucomis is its high decorativeness not only during long flowering, but also after it.
Planting and caring for eucomis (in brief)
- Bloom: long-lasting (2-2.5 months from May-June to August), but wavy.
- Landing: in open ground - at the end of May or beginning of June. In regions with a cold climate, the plant is first grown by planting the bulbs in a pot at the end of March or early April, as for forcing.
- Lighting: bright sunlight.
- The soil: loose, light, rich in humus and well drained.
- Watering: the first time after planting it is meager, but from the beginning of active growth the soil needs to be moistened regularly and abundantly. After flowering is completed, watering is gradually reduced, and after the plant’s leaves turn yellow, watering is stopped completely.
- Feeding: once every two weeks with liquid mineral fertilizers with low nitrogen content.
- Reproduction: species plants– seeds, varietal – children and leaf cuttings.
- Pests: spider mites, mealybugs, whiteflies and aphids .
- Diseases: rotting of bulbs.
Read more about growing Eucomis below.
Eucomis flower - description
Eucomis are herbaceous perennials with oval bulbs up to 8 cm in diameter, numerous basal shiny leaves of ovate or belt-shaped form. Cylindrical peduncles of eucomis up to 1 m high bear pineapple-like racemes up to 30 cm long. Wheel-shaped whitish or greenish flowers with brown or purple tint have six fused stamens with oscillating anthers and six fused lanceolate perianth lobes fused at the base. At the very top of the flower arrow, above the flowers, there is a bunch of 10-20 green bracts, which make the eucomis look like a pineapple. The fruit of Eucomis is a flat-rounded three-ridged capsule with black or dark brown seeds of a round or ovoid shape.
Planting Eucomis in open ground
When to plant eucomis in the ground
Eucomis bulbs are planted in open ground when the soil has warmed up well and all frosts have passed - at the end of May or June. If you live in an area with long, cold springs, it may be best to start sprouting the bulbs in deep pots with growing medium and plant them in the garden in late March or early April. When planting for forcing, do not completely immerse the bulb in the substrate; leave its upper part just above the surface.
In the photo: Growing eucomis in the garden
How to plant Eucomis
The site for eucomis is chosen to be sunny, protected from strong winds and drafts. The plant needs light, loose, well-drained soil rich in humus. To increase moisture permeability, add coarse river sand, gravel or broken brick to the soil for digging. When planting, bulbs, depending on their size, are buried by 2.5-3.5 cm, maintaining a distance between them of at least 15 cm with row spacing of 30-40 cm.
Caring for Eucomis in the Garden
Eucomis cultivation, watering and fertilizing
Wherever you plant the eucomis bulb - directly in the garden or for growing in a pot - at first, watering should be scanty. But as soon as the active growth of eucomis begins, watering should become both regular and abundant. After moistening - watering or rain - it is necessary to loosen the soil around the plants, simultaneously removing weeds. After flowering is completed, watering is gradually reduced, and when the leaves of the eucomis turn yellow, watering is stopped completely.
In order for the flowering of eucomis to be long and abundant, fertilizing in the form of a liquid mineral complex must be applied once every two weeks. However, you should choose fertilizers in which the amount of nitrogen is minimal: this element is not useful for the plant.
Eucomis transplantation
Planting eucomis and caring for it in open ground does not require any special skills or specific knowledge, however, this plant needs annual replanting not only when grown in a container, but also in the garden, since it does not have the winter hardiness necessary for our climate. Eucomis bulbs will have to be dug up every fall, before frost sets in, stored indoors during the winter, and planted again in the spring.
Reproduction of Eucomis
Eukomis reproduces by seeds and vegetatively. At vegetative propagation not only species are preserved, but also varietal characteristics parents. During the season, a few babies appear on the mother bulb. During the dormant period, the children are separated, the places of breaks or cuts are treated with coal powder, and in the spring or early summer the children, along with large bulbs, are planted in the ground.
Growing from seeds is used only for propagation of species eucomis. Immediately after collection, seeds are sown in pots or boxes, after 4-6 weeks they wait for seedlings and care for them, like any other seedlings. Eucomis from seeds will bloom only in the third or fourth year.
In the photo: Eucomis flowering in a flowerbed
Eucomis can also be propagated by leaf cuttings: a leaf is separated from the plant at its very base and cut into pieces 4-6 cm long, making sure to mark the upper or lower part. The segments are lowered with the bottom part into a mixture of sand and peat to a depth of 2.5 cm, covered with a transparent cap and kept at a temperature of 20 ºC, removing the covering several times a week for ventilation. After 2-2.5 months, small bulbs will begin to form along the edges of the leaves, which need to be separated, planted and grown to the desired size.
Eukomis in winter
When the eucomis has finished flowering, cut off its flower shoots, but leave the leaves so that the plant can receive nutrition until autumn. From the beginning of September, the leaves of the eucomis turn yellow, wither and die, and the bulbs go dormant. If you live in the south, where the temperature does not drop below zero in winter, you don’t have to dig up the bulbs, just cover the area with a thick layer of dry leaves or spruce branches before the onset of cold weather. But if the winters in your area are cold, snowless or unpredictable, it is better to dig up the bulbs at the end of September, clear them of soil, keep them in Maxim’s solution, dry them, put them in fabric or paper bags and store them in a cool, dry room with good ventilation. A small number of bulbs can be kept in vegetable drawer refrigerator, provided that there are no apples there at the same time. You can store eucomis until spring in pots with a suitable substrate at room temperature, slightly moistening the soil from time to time.
Pests and diseases of eucomis
The most common problem with eucomis is bulb rot. This happens during the growing season due to waterlogging, but the bulbs can rot even during the dormant period if they are not stored correctly. They destroy putrefactive microorganisms with a solution of a fungicide - Fundazol, Topaz, Skor or any other similar drug. To defeat the fungus, you may need 2-3 sessions of treating plants with a solution on the leaves and treating the bulbs in a solution of copper-containing preparations.
Among the pests that pose a danger to eucomis are spider mites, mealybugs, whiteflies and aphids. The first three pests attack plants grown in indoor culture, and aphids can overtake eucomis in the garden. Destroy harmful insects insecticides, and ticks - acaricidal preparations. Insectoacaricides such as Actellik and Aktara will cope with any of the listed pests.
Types and varieties of Eucomis
Several species of Eucomis are grown in culture.
was brought to Europe in 1778. It can reach a height of 30 to 60 cm. The leaves of plants of this species are flat, grooved, lanceolate or linear, up to 60 cm long and up to 7 cm wide. They are covered with brown spots on the underside. Loose clusters consist of 40-100 green flowers located on pedicels up to 3 cm long. The Stricta variety, bred in 1790, is interesting: its leaves below are streaked with brown-red longitudinal stripes. There is a crested variety of Eucomis with pink and purple flowers.
In the photo: Eucomis punctata = Eucomis comosa
or Eucomis bicolor comes from South Africa, and came to Europe in 1878. On its peduncles up to half a meter high, streaked with purple strokes, at the end of summer, light green flowers open, the bracts of which are framed by a purple border. The fruits of this species are also dark red. And the Alba variety, which was bred by Tubergen, has white and green flowers.
In the photo: Eucomis bicolor
Eucomis autumnalis
or Eucomis otumnalis differs from other cultivated eucomis in its relative cold resistance and can winter in the garden in the southern regions. The peduncles of this species are 20-30 cm high, and the white or creamy-white flowers are formed into a raceme. Flowering begins later than in other species.
Eucomis is a genus of plants belonging to the Asparagus family. The name comes from the ancient Greek language and means “beautiful-haired”.
Representatives of the genus are perennial herbs with bulbous roots, basal, xiphoid foliage. Has unusual beautiful flowers, collected in a raceme-like inflorescence covered with green bracts on top. The genus includes 14 species and many of them are cultivated.
Varieties and types
(punctata ) is the most famous cultivated species. Grows up to half a meter tall. There are a large number of flowers, collected in a large cluster of greenish color. The foliage is lanceolate or linear, the bottom of the leaf blades is covered with dark dots.
(purpureicaulis ) the main difference of this species is the spatulate shape of the foliage, as well as purple or purple with green bracts.
(undulata ) has long, belt-like foliage up to half a meter high, the edges of the leaf blades are wavy, not covered with dark spots. The inflorescence contains up to 50 flowers with big amount green bracts.
(autumnalis ) is a low species, reaching a maximum height of 30 cm. The flowers are white or cream, blooming later than its relatives. Can withstand light frosts, which other species are not capable of.
(bicolor ) a highly decorative species. Drives out an arrow up to half a meter high, decorated with purple spots. The flowers are greenish, purple on the edges.
(pole-evansii ) this type almost never grown by gardeners. A distinctive feature is the large light green flowers.
(comosa ) is quite a popular species. Height flower stem almost reaches a meter in height, the inflorescence is up to 30 cm. The flowers are pink, purple or greenish.
A plant with an unusual color - the flowers are pink or burgundy, and the foliage has a red tint.
Eucomis care at home
Caring for eucomis at home is generally simple, but still has some difficulties. This plant needs bright lighting, needs shading only on hot days.
Growing temperature in summer period ordinary room. After flowering there must be a period of rest with a decrease in temperature to +15°C.
Culture needs high humidity, which can be achieved by placing the pot in a container with wet pebbles. But in general, over time, it gets used to lower humidity. Spraying is carried out only during seed germination, after which it is undesirable.
Starting in spring, moderate watering is carried out. In the summer, they begin to water abundantly, so that the soil is always moist, but so that the water does not stand in the soil. With the end of flowering, watering begins to be gradually reduced. When the foliage turns yellow (around September), watering is stopped altogether.
Pushkinia is also a representative of the Asparagus family; it is grown when planted and cared for in open ground without much hassle, but a minimum of rules should be followed. Recommendations for growing and care can be found in this article.
Soil for eucomis
The substrate for planting is made from 3 shares of turf soil, 1 share of coarse sand and 1 share of humus.
The soil should be neutral or slightly acidic. Drainage and a pot with holes are required.
Eucomis fertilizer
From the beginning of the appearance of buds until the foliage dries, liquid complex mineral fertilizer is applied every 15 days in the dose indicated on the package.
Flowering begins after the bush develops 7 leaves.
Eucomis storage in winter
With the arrival of autumn, the bulbs are dug up, dried, cleaned of dry roots and stored in dry sand in the refrigerator until spring.
Eukomis planting and care in open ground
It is possible to grow eucomis in open ground. In warm regions at the level of the Crimea, the bulbs are planted directly into the soil; in colder places, the bulbs are first grown in pots, and when the soil warms up well, they are transplanted into a flowerbed along with a lump of earth.
Caring for eucomis in the garden is the same as when growing in pots - watering so that the soil is moist, but the water does not stagnate, and fertilizing once every two weeks.
Reproduction of Eucomis
Reproduction of eucomis is possible generatively and vegetatively - by children.
Babies appear on the bulbs. When the dormant period begins, they are carefully separated and dried, and in the spring they are planted in the soil. It is most often used as the simplest method.
Eukomis growing from seeds
Seed propagation in home gardening is generally not used, since it is only suitable for species forms (varietal characteristics they are not preserved when propagated by seeds) and, moreover, flowering in this case occurs only after 3-5 years.
The seeds are collected in early September, when the capsules are dry. They need to be sown immediately in pots with nutritious soil.
Eucomis propagation by cuttings
You can also try using cuttings. A leaf is separated from the base of the plant and divided into pieces 5 cm in length. The cuttings are vertically stuck into sand mixed with peat, two and a half centimeters deep.
The material is covered with film and kept at a temperature of +20°C and diffused lighting. A couple of times a week you need to ventilate and lightly water the soil. After two to two and a half months, bulbs will appear at the bottom of the cuttings, which can be planted in separate containers.
Diseases and pests
The main problem that plagues gardeners growing eucomis is bulb rotting , which occurs when there is excess moisture in the soil or storage in damp conditions in winter. Nothing can be done with such material. As preventive measures The bulbs are treated with fungicides.
It is rarely affected by pests. This is a rather delicate plant and it is better not to delay treatment, but to immediately resort to insecticides.
No flowering or ugly deformed inflorescences may be caused by insufficiently low temperatures during the dormant period, as well as lack of lighting.
The decorative flowering crop called Eucomis is a rather rare combination of two qualities: exoticism and adaptability to a cool climate. Planting and caring for this plant is quite simple, although it has several important features.
Description and characteristics of Eucomis
Eucomis, also known as eucomis, crested lily and pineapple palm, is a bulbous herbaceous perennial native to the African tropics. The plant has an unusually shaped inflorescence. In appearance it resembles a pineapple fruit. Eucomis is characterized by rapid development and growth. Botanical characteristics:
- the bulbs are large, shiny, with a powerful rhizome branching off from them;
- leaves are narrow, belt-like or lanceolate, glossy. United into a dense rosette up to 60 cm high;
- the edge of the leaf is wavy, there are brown spots on the back side;
- flowers - abundant, round;
- the color of the buds is white, pale green and shades of purple or brown;
- The peduncle is an elastic meter-long arrow, on the top there is a bunch of short leaves;
- inflorescences are racemose, dense, about 30 cm long;
- The perianth consists of 6 lobes; after flowering it does not fall off.
Eukomis loves warmth. Only with enough of it will it repay with fully beautiful wave-like flowering. This period usually occurs in the first half of summer. Sometimes - for August or later. The plant retains its decorative appearance even after withering. Usually, open ground is chosen for growing eucomis, but you can also plant it in a pot on a windowsill.
Eucomis species
From 14 types pineapple palm Some of them are cultivated in gardening:
Eucomis crested - blooms greenish-white, cream, purple or pink flowers. The flower arrow reaches a height of up to 1 m. The leaves are covered with purple specks. Its cultivation in open ground is possible only in the southern regions;
Eukomis bicolor (bicolor) is one of the most common species. It got its name for its original color: the flowers themselves are light green in color, and the edges of the petals, stamens and ovaries have burgundy color, leaves on the underside are covered with brownish spots. The peduncle grows up to 0.6 m in height. Flowering begins in the second half of summer;
Eukomis punctata - medium-sized species (0.3-0.6 m), distinctive feature which is the presence of brown-red specks on peduncles and back side leaves. Up to 100 flowers are formed on the brush;
Eukomis wavy is a compact low plant (up to 0.45 m in height) with long leaves with wavy edges without a characteristic speckled pattern. The inflorescence is dense, containing up to 50 flowers. The bracts also have a wavy shape;
Eukomis autumnal is a low-growing perennial (0.2-0.3 m) with a large bulb (8-11 cm). Blooms with white or cream flowers. Blooms later than other species. Tolerates light frosts.
Growing Eucomis from Seeds
Seed propagation of pineapple lilies is most often used by breeders. To get a large quantity planting material you can resort to this method and gardeners, but keep in mind that if you take seeds from a hybrid plant, the resulting seedlings will not inherit characteristic features parent plant.
How to collect seeds
Seeds are purchased at specialized sales points, but if there is no possibility of collecting them yourself. The seeds fully ripen in September. You can use the following collection method. Do not wait until the seeds are completely ripe, so as not to weaken the plant, cut off the arrow and place in a container with water; when the boxes are dry, you can remove the seeds. 
What time to plant
Planting eucomis bulbs in open ground carried out in well-warmed ground after the return spring frosts are left behind, as a rule, this time falls on last days May or June. If your region has a relatively cold and long spring, then in this case it is recommended to first germinate the bulbs in a deep container filled with soil mixture, and they are transplanted to the site in the last days of March or in the first days of April. When planting a bulb for forcing, it should not be buried entirely in the soil mixture; the upper part should rise slightly above its surface.
Landing rules
This crop should be grown in a well-lit area that is protected from drafts and strong gusts of wind. The soil should be loose, light, well-drained and rich in humus. To improve the moisture permeability of the soil, it should be dug up by adding gravel, coarse river sand or broken brick.
During planting, depending on the size, the bulbs must be buried in the ground by 25–35 mm, while the distance between the bushes should be at least 15 centimeters, and the width between the rows should be from 0.3 to 0.4 meters.
How to care for eucomis in open ground
Basic plant care is proper watering and fertilizing.
Watering
Immediately after planting, water minimally so that the bulbs take root successfully and do not begin to rot. As growth intensifies, watering is increased; avoid getting drops of water on the leaves, as they can leave spots and streaks. In very hot weather, water daily in the morning or evening. After flowering ends, reduce watering, and when the leaves begin to turn yellow, stop completely (the plant is already preparing for the dormant period).
Feeding
The plant needs frequent feeding. During the flowering period they must be applied every 14 days. Use complex mineral fertilizers, but minimize the proportion of nitrogen (you can add it every other time).
Eucomis overwintering
After the bushes have flowered, it is necessary to remove the flower shoots from them, while the leaf blades should remain, since thanks to them the eucomis will receive nutrients until the fall. In the first autumn weeks, yellowing, wilting and dying of leaf blades are observed, while the bulbs begin a dormant period. When growing this crop in regions with relatively warm winter, where the air temperature does not drop below zero degrees, the bulbs can, if desired, not be removed from the ground, but simply before the cold weather sets in, the surface of the area is covered with a layer of spruce branches or fallen leaves.
However, in regions with frosty, little snow or unpredictable in winter It is recommended to remove the bulbs from the ground in the last days of September, remove the remaining soil from them and immerse them in Maxim’s solution for some time. After they dry, they must be placed in paper or fabric bags, which are stored in a cool and dry place with good ventilation. If there are few onions, then they can be stored on the refrigerator shelf intended for vegetables, but you need to take into account that apples cannot be placed next to them. If desired, eucomis can be planted in pots filled with a suitable soil mixture. Store them at room temperature, and if necessary, water the substrate a little so that it does not dry out.
Bulb storage
Bulbs are dug up in the fall (around the end of September), when flowering ends and the above-ground part dries out.
Sort the bulbs and send completely healthy specimens for storage. Place them in paper bags or wrap them in napkins and store them in a cool, ventilated area (basement, vegetable department refrigerator).
Reproduction of Eucomis
This plant can be propagated by generative (seed) and vegetative methods. If a bush is propagated vegetatively, it retains all the varietal characteristics of the mother plant. Throughout the season, a a small amount of kids. The separation of the babies is carried out when the eucomis has a period of rest. Places of cuts or breaks should be sprinkled with crushed coal. Both separated and mother bulbs are planted in open soil in spring or in the first weeks of summer.
Only species eucomis can be propagated by seed. Freshly harvested seeds are used for sowing. They are sown in boxes or pots filled with substrate. The first seedlings should appear after 4–6 weeks. Caring for such plants should be exactly the same as caring for seedlings of any other crop. The first flowering of bushes grown from seeds can be seen only 3 or 4 years after sowing.
This flower can be propagated by leaf cuttings. To do this, it is necessary to tear off the leaf plate of the bush directly at its base, after which the leaf is divided into parts with a sharp object, the length of which should vary from 40 to 60 mm, and their lower or upper part should be marked. Then the segments are buried with the bottom part into a soil mixture consisting of peat and sand to a depth of 25 mm. Then the leaf cuttings need to be covered with a transparent cap and provided with a temperature of about 20 degrees. It is necessary to ventilate the cuttings once every 7 days, by removing the shelter for a while. After 2–2.5 months, small bulbs should form along the edges of parts of the leaf blades. They should be carefully torn off and planted in the substrate, where they should grow to the required size.
Diseases and pests
As a result of improper storage of bulbs or excessive soil moisture, rotting is possible. It is important to ensure suitable conditions (temperature regime, ventilation) and regularly inspect the bulbs. You can recognize bulb rotting in the soil by the presence of brown spots on the leaves. It is necessary to cut off the affected area of the bulb, and treat the cut areas with a fungicide.
If the weather is cloudy and cold, growth rates are slowed down and flowering may not occur.
Pests: whitefly, scale insects, aphids, spider mite. An insecticide treatment will be required.
Eucomis in landscape design
Eucomis is a wonderful decoration for any garden plot. This flower is widely used as a solo plant, as it has strong peduncles and clear structural forms. It can also be used for joint plantings, while groundcovers are excellent partners for it annual plants, gerberas, and also coniferous perennials.
So, eucomis looks great together with heuchera, planted against the background of ground cover plants, for example, lobelia or alyssum. In a rocky garden, such a flower also looks simply amazing; its shiny leaf plates can emphasize the majesty of the stones. This flower crop can be planted almost anywhere, and it will look great everywhere.
The genus Eucomis belongs to the asparagus family. That is, eukomis is a relative of domestic asparagus and garden asparagus. It is also a relative of hyacinth, which catches your eye when examining our hero’s flower arrow.
It comes from South Africa. And it got its curly name for its unusual appearance: a ground rosette of leaves, a peduncle decorated with a cluster of densely sessile flowers, and finally, that same tuft of bracts, so similar to the top of a pineapple.
The most common in culture is Eucomis punctata(the underside of the leaves and peduncle are covered with a scattering of contrasting dots), its variety Stricta It also bears longitudinal red-brown stripes on the underside of the leaves.
In addition to it, 4 more species can be found in gardens.
Eucomis autumnalis- more edno-flowering and more cold-resistant, with creamy or pure white with a greenish tint inflorescences up to 30 cm high, but at the same time very large bulbs (8-11 cm in diameter).
Eucomis bicolor– the flowers are framed by a purple stripe, and the seed pods become purple entirely, and there are compost stripes on the peduncles. Interestingly, the Alba variety, with greenish-white flowers, has simple green peduncles and foliage.
Eucomis crested (Eucomis comoso), perhaps the most prominent, in terms of height - the peduncle can reach 90 cm, and the inflorescence itself pleases with almost 30 cm of pure beauty.
Eucomis pallidiflora, besides them there are other relatives, but go try to find at least those listed...
Eukomis translated from Greek means “beautiful cowlick (whirlwind), beautifully haired.” There is also another name for this plant - tufted lily, that is, almost a curly forelock from a sentimental song popular 100 years ago.
I was lucky enough to meet Eucomis thanks to my wife. One day she asked to pick up a certain order in one postal service. When asked what exactly I should receive, the answer was: “Plants for the garden.”
Since I am the only “nerd” in our family, a legitimate question arose - what exactly was there. It turned out that, among other things, pineapple lily bulbs were waiting for me.
At that time I very much doubted its (eucomis) ability to grow in the Moscow region. But as it turned out after just a season, I doubted it in vain.
So, the order was received, and the package opened for me quite large bulbs, similar in many ways to those of hyacinths (the relationship was clearly and inexorably manifested).
I must say that the spring of 2017 was strange in terms of weather. It was not possible to plant a heat-loving plant directly into the ground, based on its biological features, nor according to reviews experienced gardeners. They recommended planting the bulbs in March-April, growing them to an acceptable condition, and only then relocating them to open ground. But the bulbs arrived a little late, and the weather was not pleasant.
As a result, it was only in May that I planted the bulbs directly in the garden. At the same time, I took into account that the plant requires a fairly large volume fertile soil, good lighting, moderate watering and periodic feeding. Just found a plastic container with 100 liters of excess capacity, which was given to the pineapple lily. But 5 bulbs per given volume would be like lonely orphans.
I had to consider the issue of overseeding annuals to decorate the base of the eucomis. We had on hand the seeds of Eschscholzia, which our family adored. Its bluish lacy foliage and further varied flowering (it was a mix) created a wonderful background for the pineapple lily.
Although I think that lower-growing annuals, such as alyssums, would look better “at the feet” of eucomis (and this also has a pleasant honey aroma), as well as when grown (like mine) in a large container, some creeping or hanging plants- lobelia, purslane, nemophila, coreopsis, bidens (series), dichondra, nolana, scevola and others in the same spirit.
The container itself could also be decorated: either with planks or, more simply, with cut mats made of reed or bamboo, which have been on sale for quite some time in some garden stores. Haven't gotten around to it yet...
And then the lily bloomed... Many greenish flowers opened on the peduncles, collected in a spike-shaped flower arrow. It was unusual, but attractive. And she, or rather they, bloomed, because there were 5 bulbs, until the moment threatened by frost.
And then the bulbs, along with foliage and peduncles, were dug up and placed in a place where they were not threatened negative temperatures. When the “tops” withered and dried out, they were cut off and the bulbs were sent to the “cellar” for storage. By the way, if you grow eucomis in containers buried in the garden, then after removing the latter you could enjoy the flowering of the pineapple lily for another month or two, since the flower stalks with seed pods on still vegetating plants are also decorative.
By the way, I remembered a method proposed, probably more than three decades ago, to improve the safety of tubers and bulbs in winter time. It is based on the extremely beneficial effect of lysozyme, contained in egg white and having a powerful antibacterial effect. You need to dip the tubers and bulbs in the liquid white of chicken eggs.
In this case, after drying, a thin film is formed that protects against the effects of various pathogenic influences. Objects should be stored either in peat or sawdust coniferous species at a temperature of approximately 10°.
Thus, the algorithm for dealing with eucomis bulbs is as follows (based on my experience and the experience of my colleagues).
We plant in March-April in containers (pots).
When the threat of frost has passed (or a little earlier, provided there is shelter), we plant them in the ground or larger containers in a sunny place protected from cold winds.
Until we observe the beginning of active growth of the plant (the appearance of that same “forelock”), watering should be more than moderate to avoid rotting of the bulbs.
If there is a threat of return frosts or it is simply cold and uncomfortable, you should cover the container with eucomis non-woven material(at night), although protection can be left on during the day.
When active growth begins, plants should be fertilized once every 2 weeks, avoiding excess nitrogen, and watered regularly.
During the 2-2.5 summer months (May-August) we enjoy the flowering of eucomis and remember kind words South Africa and the one who sold us this miracle.
When the peduncle and leaf rosette wilt, watering should be stopped and the bulbs should be removed for storage over time (taking into account tips and analogies with other tuberous and bulbous plants).
Bulbs left in containers (pots) can be stored as is, observing the appearance of sprouts closer to spring, after which watering is resumed and the containers are exposed to the light of day.
Do it all again next spring!
Or you can grow it on the balcony and admire the intricate beauty of the flower stalks for a long time. The soil for planting eucomis requires light soil with the addition of coarse river sand, rich in humus and always well-drained. For drainage, I personally like moderate-sized expanded clay fractions; broken bricks are also suitable. The container should be chosen larger, because the scope of the basal rosette of belt-shaped leaves can reach 60 cm. And do not forget about fertilizing. And it should be remembered that being African, Eucomis is picky about the level of lighting. Warmth and light are the key to success!
