Licoris is a flower that is common in China, India and Japan. Charming plants are grown both on the garden plot and indoors. Licoris (spider lilies) does not require complex care, which allows even inexperienced gardeners to engage in its cultivation. Exquisite appearance and pleasant aroma can bring a touch of comfort to any interior.
Description and History
The length of the licorice leaf plates reaches 30-60 cm. The width of the foliage is in the range of 1-1.5 cm. The height of the erect stems does not exceed 90 cm. Each of the plants can produce 5-7 peduncles. Fragrant flowers are painted in various shades:
- orange
- yellow;
- golden;
- lilac;
- white.
Lycoris
Licoris is naturally endowed with two types of flowers:
- with long stamens that exceed the dimensional characteristics of perianth several times;
- with short stamens that are slightly elevated above the petals.
The fruits of spider lilies are three-channel boxes with seeds. Given the low percentage of germination of seed material, flower growers recommend propagating flowers in a vegetative way.
Note! Flowers and foliage of decorative culture never meet each other.
Why is it that flowers and leaves of an amazing flower cannot meet? To explain this phenomenon and answer a widespread request on the Internet "the meaning of the flower lyric", you can familiarize yourself with the legend set forth in the White Lotus Sutra of Higher Learning.
Legend of Origin
In ancient times, there were natural perfumes that took care of different parts of the magical plant. According to the legend of lyricis, a spirit named Saga kept a green mass of spider lilies, and Manju took care of the flowers. They were forbidden to meet, but the spirits decided to violate the will of God and after the first meeting they fell in love with each other.
Angry God sent a curse on the Saga and Manzha. From that moment, foliage and flowers on the plant could never meet again. As soon as the flowers of the licorice begin to blossom, the green mass falls. At the time of the formation of new leaves, the flowers wither. It is believed that after meeting in hell, the lovers swore to each other to meet at the time of reincarnation and never to leave again. Alas, this did not happen. Everyone in Japan knows this legend.
Interesting! In Japan, flowers associated with a tragic legend grow in a cemetery. They are often used at funerals, because a plant means separation and sorrow.
Varieties of lyric
There are a large number of varieties of spider lilies. Below are the most popular varieties that grow flower growers in their areas.
Licoris scaly
A decorative culture, the height of which can exceed 65 cm. Near the surface of the soil, plants have leaf rosettes, which consist of green leaf plates. The width of the strap-like leaves is in the range of 10-30 mm. In late summer, large inflorescences consisting of 7-9 buds begin to bloom on long peduncles. The oval-shaped petals are slightly bent back and painted in a light lilac shade. In the center are thin stamens and ovary. The flowering period of the scaly variety lasts 10-14 days.
Licoris radiant
Lycoris radiata (in Latin) is a perennial, the height of which reaches 40-70 cm. In the spring months the plant produces rosettes of narrow foliage. The width of the leaf plates does not exceed 0.5-1 cm. Closer to September, flowers painted in pink and terracotta shades form on the spider lily. On the petals are narrow and long antennae, slightly deviating down. In the central part of the decorative culture, a bundle of processes with the presence of wavy edges is concentrated.
Licoris Blood Red
A compact perennial, whose height is in the range of 40-45 cm. The width of small foliage barely reaches 1-1.2 cm. The green mass that bloomed in April begins to turn yellow in early summer. In the last weeks of August, lush scarlet buds form on lush peduncles. The diameter of the buds can exceed 4.5 cm. Licoris red is often used by landscape designers when planting greenery.
Golden Licoris
A decorative culture that is not highly frost resistant. Flowers can tolerate frosts down to -3 ° C. That is why plants are grown exclusively at home. Bushes can grow up to 55-60 cm. Tubular flowers are painted yellow. Their diameter reaches 9-10 cm. Each inflorescence consists of 5-6 flowers. Flowering begins in June.
Amazing flowers
Features of care for licorice
So that the plant pleased with abundant flowering, and was not susceptible to diseases, it is important to follow the basic rules of agricultural technology when growing. Below are the features of caring for a spider lily.
Lighting
When choosing a place to land, you should give preference to well-lit areas. When growing flowers in an apartment environment, it is necessary to provide additional diffuse illumination to the bushes. For this purpose, phytolamps should be purchased.
Winter preparations
In early autumn, when flowering is completed, the aboveground parts of plants die off. They can be cut without regret. Bulbs of flowers do not need to be dug. Watering is completely stopped, and the soil, where the bulbs remain, is covered with a small layer of dry foliage or needles. The layer thickness should reach 9-12 cm.
Temperature
Decorative culture belongs to the category of heat-loving. It is advisable to maintain a room temperature between 21-27 ° C. In the open ground, seedlings can be planted only at a time when the threat of night frost is over.
Air humidity
The recommended humidity level in the room where the flowers are grown is in the range of 50-55%. Excessive dryness negatively affects the appearance of plants, so experts recommend the use of humidifiers in especially dry periods. You can also systematically spray spider lilies.
Note! Throughout the year, the plant can go into dormancy twice - in the summer and autumn.
Top dressing
Before planting the licorice bulbs on an open bed, care should be taken to apply organic fertilizing to the soil. After that, it is recommended to feed flowers every 14 days with liquid mineral fertilizer.
Watering mode
It is very important to systematically moisten the soil in which the decorative culture grows. Do not allow the soil to dry out. It is necessary to moisten the earth 2-3 times a week. After the foliage begins to fade, the plant can not be watered.
The soil
To ensure quick growth and active development of licorice, it is necessary to select areas for the planting of seedlings / bulbs with the presence of loose, light or loamy soil. For growing seedlings, you should use specialized store soil mixed with a small amount of peat.
Flowering features
At the beginning of autumn, flower bulbs throw out flower stalks, which in just a few days reach a height of 40-50 cm. Funnel-shaped flowers with a large number of stamens gradually begin to open on the flower stalks. Flowering lasts about 11-14 days. As soon as this process is completed, foliage blooms on the spider lilies, which does not dry out even in the cold winter months. Leaf plates die in early summer, before flowering begins.
Mystic plant
Seed planting
For the seed method of reproduction of licorice, it is necessary to adhere to the recommendations of specialists regarding the performance of planting operations:
- The prepared container with the presence of drainage holes is filled with a mixture of perlite, fertile soil, vermiculite and peat moss.
- Seed is scattered over the surface of the soil mixture and sprinkled with a small layer of soil.
- The soil is moistened, and the container is covered with film material.
- Containers with landings are transferred to a room where the temperature reaches 21-24 ° C.
After 2-3 weeks, emergence can be expected.
Note! Lycoris seeds have low germination.
Vegetative propagation method
Each year, a beautiful perennial forms daughter bulbs, which flower growers are actively using for the purpose of reproduction.
Work order:
- After digging the bulbs from the ground, you must very carefully separate them.
- The resulting bulbs are transplanted into pre-prepared wells. The soil for planting should be prepared on the basis of peat, sand and sheet soil.
The next year after planting, flowering can be expected.
Licoris in landscape design
Pests and diseases
Flowers, whose history is associated with a tragic legend, are not susceptible to diseases or pests. The only thing that can sometimes harm the plantings is the invasion of daffodils. You can cope with them by treating the lily planting zone with an insecticidal agent like Actara and Calypso.
Use in landscape design
Landscape designers often use licorice to decorate flowerbeds and garden paths. Decorative culture can be planted near the bushes:
- begonias;
- crocuses;
- fern.
If you do not believe in all the legends and the significance of lyric, you can decorate your garden plot with this amazing perennial. Why not plant begonia bushes along with the licorice along the paths? Properly caring for a plant, you can grow it indoors, adding a touch of sophistication to the interior of your apartment.
