Growing Eucharis Indoors

2024 Author: Sebastian Paterson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:47

Eucharis - snow-white flowers and exquisite aroma

In the tropics of South America, under tree crowns in mountain forests, a genus of lovely bulbous plants from the Amaryllidaceous family grows.

It is called Eucharis and includes about a dozen plant species that differ little from each other. Literally translated from Greek, the name means "super graceful, super pleasant". And first of all it characterizes eucharis flowers.

At the beginning of the 19th century, these plants were first brought to Europe from South America and were first grown in botanical gardens. But due to their unpretentiousness, they quickly spread to indoor floriculture.

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Eucharis has very large wide elliptical dark green glossy leaves up to 25-30 cm long and about 10 cm wide. The length of the petiole is approximately equal to the length of the leaf or slightly more. Young leaves emerging from the bulbs are twisted from both sides into tubes. The bulb is light, round, 3-5 cm in diameter. Eucharis blooms 1-2 times a year. Spectacular snow-white flowers are collected in an umbrella-shaped inflorescence of 3-6 pieces on a high peduncle reaching 50-60 cm.

During flowering, they exude an exquisite aroma vaguely reminiscent of lily of the valley. In appearance, the flower is very similar to a daffodil due to the crown formed in the center of stamens. Despite this, the people of Eucharis are for some reason called the "Amazonian lily". In indoor culture, the species of large-flowered Eucharis (E. grandiflora) and Eucharis amazonian (E. amazonian) are more often grown. The first forms luxurious flowers up to 12 cm in diameter! The second has smaller flowers - 5-6 cm.

Eucharis care

Eucharis prefers bright diffused light or partial shade, does not tolerate direct sunlight, especially in summer. Due to its shade tolerance, it can grow successfully in any room.

An east or west window works well. But since this plant is quite large, it does not always have enough space on the window. In this case, the eucharis will feel great in the back of the room at some distance from the window, if there is enough lighting there. A bright, warm kitchen with its high humidity will be just an ideal place. In summer, the pot with the plant can be kept on the balcony, shading from the sun. But as soon as night temperatures drop to 10 … 12 ° C, it must be removed to the room at night.

Eucharis is quite thermophilic and in summer it prefers a temperature of 23 … 28 ° С, preferably at least 18 ° С. In winter, in various methodological sources it is recommended to keep it at a temperature of 16 … 18 ° C. But based on personal experience, I advise you to provide him with 20 … 22 ° C and a bright place. Only on such conditions will he please with flowering. Otherwise, it will only slowly change leaves from year to year. A temperature of 10 ° C is already considered damaging for him: dropping of leaves and rotting of bulbs and roots due to hypothermia are possible. And eucharis suffers the loss of leaves very painfully.

During the growing period, the soil should always be moderately moist without stagnant water. Excessive moisture can cause the bulbs to rot. The approximate watering regime is once every 3-4 days after the soil dries up. Water should be abundant during flowering. Water must be used necessarily settled or boiled at room temperature or slightly warmer.

When the plant is dormant, watering is almost stopped, not allowing only the complete drying of the earthen coma. The onset of the dormant phase can be determined by the lack of growth of young leaves. This usually happens in late summer or early autumn, as well as immediately after flowering. But the exact time, of course, depends on the specific conditions of detention and the time of flowering.

In spring and summer, once every 2-3 weeks, Eucharis is fed with special liquid fertilizers for flowering indoor plants. The concentration of the solution is desirable lower than recommended by the instructions, so as not to overfeed with nitrogen. In autumn and winter, no feeding is given.

From time to time, eucharis leaves are useful to wipe with a soft, damp sponge. It is regularly sprayed in the summer. Do not spray the plant only during flowering, so as not to spoil the appearance of the flowers. Red spots appear on white petals from water droplets. At this time, they are limited only to moistening the leaves with a wet sponge.

After flowering, eucharis goes into a dormant state for about 1-1.5 months. At this time, reduce watering and stop feeding. During this period, the main thing is to restrain the appearance of new leaves and prevent the old ones from dying off. Such rest is very important, it ensures the subsequent flowering. And as soon as new young leaves appear from the soil, watering is increased and they begin to feed.

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Reproduction and transplantation of eucharis

The dormant period is the most appropriate time for eucharis transplantation and reproduction. Large plants are transplanted about once every three to four years, young - annually, using the transshipment method.

In this case, it is important not to damage the earthy clod around the bulbs and not to separate the children without the need. The fact is that eucharis blooms better precisely when there is a large "family" of bulbs. And the bulbs planted separately do not bloom for a long time. The formation of young daughter bulbs means the plant is ready to bloom.

The soil for eucharis must be loose and very nutritious. 4 parts of leafy soil, 2 parts of compost, 2 parts of coarse sand and 1 part of loam are mixed to ensure good moisture holding capacity. Shop soil for bulbous plants is also suitable. For planting, choose a fairly spacious and not very deep, heavy pot with a drainage hole.

Too small a container will inhibit the formation of new bulbs, which negatively affects flowering. Plus, this large plant will just knock over a small and light pot. At the bottom of the container, drainage from stones or expanded clay is required. A layer of soil is poured on top, the bulbs are placed and covered with the remaining soil.

The planting depth of the bulb depends on whether it has leaves. If the bulb is without leaves, it is better to plant it so that the top sticks out above the soil surface. This will allow you to monitor her condition. Everything must be done so that it releases the leaves as quickly as possible. Eucharis painfully endures a leafless state.

Bottom heating is beneficial because the bulb can rot in wet cold soil. Decay occurs from the bottom, so it is difficult to notice it in time, and you can lose the plant. Watering at this time should be done in moderation to prevent waterlogging of the soil. About a month after planting, young leaves emerge from the bulb. From this moment, feeding begins every two weeks.

Bulbs with leaves are planted to a depth of 5 to 10 cm. At first they are rarely watered, but kept in a warm place (25 … 30 ° C), it is possible with lower heating.

After a planned transfer to another pot, during the first 8-10 days, eucharis is kept in a cool shaded place without abundant watering. In favorable conditions, the young plant forms many daughter bulbs, quickly turning into a large bush. During flowering, it looks like a huge fragrant bouquet. I once saw in one institution a blooming eucharis in a large spacious tub, over which towered a dozen flower stalks. The spectacle is simply unforgettable! And the delicate aroma of flowers could be felt several meters away.

If an adult eucharis from year to year categorically refuses to bloom, it means that the room is too cool, or he was not provided with a rest period. When warm, it throws out powerful, wide leaves and large flower arrows. It is necessary to correct these errors in the content mode, and then it will definitely bloom.

A change in the color of the leaves towards yellowing, the appearance of a silvery tint on the surface indicates the appearance of pests (scale insects, thrips, aphids, spider mites). This is facilitated by dry air and high temperatures. It is necessary to treat the plant with insecticides and then regularly spray it to increase air humidity. The main thing is not to confuse this situation with the process of natural change of leaves, when only old leaves turn yellow and die off and not all at once, but one or two leaves.

When caring for eucharis, you should be careful and remember that it is a plant poisonous to humans, like all amaryllids.