Spider lily

Spider lily: the history and meaning of the flower

Lilies are incredible flowers, which also differ in that they have a huge variety and species diversity. They can be of the most intricate and exotic shapes, sizes, colors, their aroma cannot be confused with anything else. In addition, they are no less exotic in origin and, of course, look original both on garden plots and in bouquets. There is one of the most original species - the Spider Lily, but not all growers know about its existence.

Nevertheless, it is still worth paying attention to this flower, since it has a huge number of characteristics and advantages, as well as features that mainly relate to the agronomic process. In this article, we will just dwell in more detail on all these aspects and will try to reveal through them the specifics of spider lilies in modern floriculture, to determine their place and role.

In some territories, a spider lily can even grow in the wild, but if gardeners decide to grow it here, then you should still pay attention to some agrotechnical features. Nevertheless, there are florists who are categorically against growing a spider lily on the territories of their site. The thing is that there is a belief that someone's blood was once shed in the place where the spider lily (lycoris) grew. Someone considers this a trifling myth and fiction, but for someone such stories are really an obstacle to planting this type of lilies. Everyone chooses for himself, he wants to see her on the site, and whether he can not pay attention to such myths.

Yet in our country such prejudices are rarely paid attention to. Basically, the lycoris spider lily is bred on plots due to the fact that it has very decorative external signs, and this plant can also surprise many guests who visit the garden plot. In design, the flower can be combined with crops such as fern and begonia, as well as crocuses. He gets along well with them and can perfectly complement the landscape design with its uniqueness and peculiarity. Also, the spider lily is very popular in slides and rockeries, combined with irises and delphiniums, since they are quite tall and can contrast with plants such as lilies, even in their colors.

In the next part of this article, we will dwell in more detail on what are the key characteristics of the spider lily, as well as describe its external properties and properties of agricultural technology, which are very attractive to gardeners and make them take up the cultivation of these flowers.

Spider lily flower: plant description

Spider lily flower: video about the variety

Spider lilies are very unusual perennials that belong to the amaryllis family and not the lily family. Lycoris leaves have a bright green color, in length they can reach forty centimeters, and in width - only up to two. In the spring, these plants germinate from the planted bulbs, they are distinguished by the fact that they are very fond of warm areas. The size of the bulbs is small, up to five centimeters, they must be handled very carefully, since any damage can lead to the fact that the bulbs will rot and refuse to germinate. In the middle of summer, the leaves of a spider lily die off, and a very fleshy stem appears from the bulbs, which has a round section.The stem is more than half a meter high, but its average height is about 70 centimeters, and long-awaited inflorescences appear at the very top of the stem. One stem can have from 4 to 7 flowers, it all depends on the age of the plant, as well as on what climatic conditions surround it, and how the gardener himself takes care of the plant, which is also important.

At first, not very large buds bloom, and the largest ones reach their maximum flowering in September. The entire area is immediately filled with a very spicy and persistent aroma, which in general is very typical of liliaceous and similar crops. The petals are very similar to lilies, and the stamens are in the form of thin cobwebs. The color mainly depends on which variety the spider lilies belong to, there can be white flowers, and bright scarlet, and purple, as well as golden. Gardeners can choose colors according to their interests and tastes.

However, flowering does not last very long, only for one and a half weeks. There are varieties of spider lilies that can bloom for up to a month, but again, a lot depends on the temperature and climatic conditions, as well as on whether the gardener can give the plant enough care. After flowering is complete, small boxes appear in which the seeds of spider lilies are located, they are small and black. After complete withering, green leaves reappear from the ground, which will continue their vital activity until the next summer flowering.

Of course, today breeders have bred a large number of varieties of spider lilies, which differ from each other in external characteristics, flowering period, stress resistance and susceptibility to parasites and diseases. In the next part of this article, we will just analyze all the varietal variety that this subspecies of lilies boasts.

The most popular varieties of Spider Lily

At the moment, breeders have bred more than two dozen varieties of spider lilies, which are only known to science. One has only to guess how many other varieties and species that exist, but which few people are aware of. But in Russia, you can find and grow only a few varieties.

The first variety is called red spider lily - it looks like a real red miracle, which can surprise gardeners and guests of the site not only by the fact that it has a very original petal shape: based on the name of the flower, it is clear that it has a very bright color, which attracts attention ... The height of a red spider lily is on average 40-45 centimeters, no more, and one inflorescence gives from 4 to 6 buds. Flowering mainly begins in August and lasts for two weeks. The main thing is to choose the right grooming techniques, and you will get a really attractive plant.

Spider lily red: photo of the variety

Scaly spider lily - the flowers of this plant are much larger than those of the blood-red lycoris. The peduncle is usually about 70 centimeters high, with 8-9 flowers on one peduncle. The petals look very graceful, their color is not at all aggressive - it can be delicate lilac, and its middle is golden, quite harmonious throughout the composition.

Scaly spider lily: photo of the variety

Radiant spider lily - this flower also has another name - it is popularly called a mustache. This is due to the fact that the side petals look more like antennae rather than typical lily petals. In general, the flower looks very decorative, and the same can be said about another licorice - golden. In fact, it acts as one of the varieties of radiant lycoris, so both flowers have similar characteristics both externally and agronomically, so you should pay attention to this. As the name implies, most often such a spider lily can be found in its golden color.

Spider lily radiant: photo of the variety

Of course, you should pay more attention to planting and caring for spider lilies, and we will talk about this in more detail in the next part of this article. This information will help the grower choose a plant that will better meet his needs and expectations, as well as correlate his ability to care for the plant with what he needs for growth, development and, of course, for flowering in a wide variety of conditions.

Spider lily: planting and caring for lilies

Experienced flower growers recommend planting a spider lily in early autumn. It should take about a month for the plant to adapt to the surrounding conditions, and then there will be a high probability that it will take root and take root before the cold and severe frosts come, and this is extremely important. Also, of course, there is a possibility that the spider lily (lycoris) will need to be planted in the spring, but in general, planting during this period is extremely undesirable for this plant. Experienced flower growers explain this by the fact that the plant will take a long time and not quite successfully take root, it will be susceptible to various diseases, which will negatively affect its flowering.

It is also worth noting that spider lilies can be planted at the end of summer, if only such an opportunity arises. She feels great in the sun, in darker areas. But, as practice shows, it is best to plant a spider lily under a large tree or next to a shrub that will cast a shadow on the plant. You should also not choose places where drafts or strong winds are noted, they can damage the plant, and it will definitely not show the desire for flowering and growth. As for the composition of the soil, sandy soils are best suited here; this environment for the plant is considered the most suitable and favorable.

There is a certain universal algorithm for the preparation of the site, as well as for planting spider lilies, which is generally suitable for many varieties and species. Several particularly significant aspects are taken into account here:

• the area should be very thoroughly cleaned of any blockages and grass
• the soil can have a different composition: if it is poor and depleted, then it is better to add organic fertilizers to the soil - humus or peat
• it is best to level the soil carefully before planting bulbs or seeds
• holes that are made in the soil are best done at a depth of about 15 centimeters, not less
• the bulbs must be buried at a distance of at least 30 centimeters from each other so that the root system does not interfere with the plants as it develops, otherwise they will not be able to develop normally
• each bulb during planting must be separately very carefully sprinkled with sand almost to the very top
• the space that remains not closed in the hole can be covered with the most ordinary soil that is located around
• the garden bed, which turned out to be from the gardener, needs to be compacted a little, and also watered abundantly. For humidification, warm settled water is used, since ordinary running water is very cold for these purposes and is completely unsuitable.

Note that such large distances that we leave between the bulbs are necessary not only for the root system to develop successfully. It will also allow babies that are formed annually to thrive in ample space and get all the essential nutrients they need. At the same time, we note that the plant as a whole is very unpretentious, it does not require much attention to itself, and is also quite unpretentious at all stages of its growth and development.

If the soil is practically not ventilated, then it is better to take care of the arrangement of the simplest drainage system in advance. Licorice does not tolerate very favorably if moisture stagnation is noted in the soil, since the bulbs can get sick and rot, which means that it is no longer worth waiting for growth with flowering.When flowering is nearing completion, you can completely abandon watering, this will be completely normal, because they will be replaced by natural precipitation.

If the spider lily was planted in pre-treated and fed soil, then it will no longer need other fertilizers. But if the soil is depleted, and there are absolutely no nutrients in it, then complex mineral fertilizers, which are sold in specialized stores, can be used for these purposes. The packaging indicates that the fertilizer is intended just for feeding bulbous plants, which include the spider lily. The plant does not require annual transplants, since it can grow in the same place for five or more years. Of course, sooner or later the plant will need to be transplanted, for this a new site is prepared in advance, weeds and any imperfections are removed. The bulbs are carefully dug up, the children are separated from them and sprinkled with ash or activated carbon so that the break points do not become infected with rot or any other fungal diseases.

After carrying out all the manipulations, you can plant the bulb in the ground. If it is necessary to save it for a while, then it is best to place the onion in a bag, which is filled with earth and sand. But planting should still be carried out as early as possible, since the bulbs are not stored in such packages for a long time: they lose their viable functions and characteristics, which means that abundant high-quality flowering in the future can not be expected at all. When the flowering of the spider lily stops, then the dry leaves and flower stalks must be removed from the plant. Despite the prejudices, Licoris tolerates winter time and frosts quite calmly. But if in winter a lot of snow is not expected, but a harsh temperature setting is expected, then the plant is best covered with dry foliage so that it does not freeze.

This plant is very rarely exposed to any diseases or attacks from pests. One way or another, if something suddenly disturbed the lycoris, the leaves and stems can be treated with insecticides, which are sold in gardening stores. The most important thing is to follow all the instructions that are indicated in the instructions, and that is when you get an excellent and decent processing result.

Diseases also very rarely affect the spider lily flower. But, if the florist has incorrectly chosen a place for planting a spider lily, then it can be burned by direct sunlight. If you moisten the soil too much, then the water will stagnate to it. All this will sooner or later lead to the fact that the bulb will begin to rot, and it can be thrown away, since the flower will no longer work out of it. In this case, the gardener should think about another place in order to plant the plant on it.

Thus, the spider lily is a great option for those gardeners who do not have the opportunity to spend a lot of time planting and subsequent care of the plant. Licoris (spider lily) is very unpretentious, it only needs the correct place to grow and that's it. Excellent decorative flowers are obtained that can decorate any site, flower bed or landscape. The spider lily adjoins perfectly with other plants, takes root in sandy soils, and can bloom annually.