Gloriosa

The genus Gloriosa includes 5 species of climbing tropical plants. This is a tuberous perennial; the tubers are elongated with thickenings in the lower part. Because of their similarity to plants of the genus Lilium, they are commonly referred to as "climbing lilies". The leaves are sessile, glossy, lanceolate, 10-12 cm long, with tendrils clinging to the support. The stems are weak, brittle, herbaceous, 1.5-2 m long. numerous decorative flowers on long pedicels with turned and curved red long petals, wavy at the edges. Gloriosa Rothschild (Gloriosa rothschildiana) - a plant up to 3 m high. It has long lanceolate leaves, the upper ones with very developed antennae. In the axils of the leaves, single flowers develop with red or crimson petals with a yellow edge, the diameter of the flowers reaches 10 cm. Clearly expressed expanding stamens. They bloom from June to August. Gloriosa magnifica (G. superba) is a plant up to 3 m tall. It is characterized by bright orange and crimson flowers, wrinkled at the edges with thin perianth lobes. Blooms in late summer and early autumn. The variety 'Yellow' has yellow twisted petals. G. vershurii is a relatively short species (1.5 m), with broad leaves, bright red flowers with a yellow border, and a shorter pedicel compared to other species.

The genus Gloriosa includes 5 species of climbing tropical plants. This is a tuberous perennial; the tubers are elongated with thickenings in the lower part. Because of their similarity to plants of the genus Lilium, they are commonly referred to as "climbing lilies". The leaves are sessile, glossy, lanceolate, 10-12 cm long, with tendrils clinging to the support. The stems are weak, brittle, herbaceous, 1.5-2 m long. numerous decorative flowers on long pedicels with turned and curved red long petals, wavy at the edges.

Gloriosa Rothschild (Gloriosa rothschildiana) - a plant up to 3 m high. It has long lanceolate leaves, the upper ones with very developed antennae. In the axils of the leaves, single flowers develop with red or crimson petals with a yellow edge, the diameter of the flowers reaches 10 cm. Clearly expressed expanding stamens. They bloom from June to August.

Gloriosa magnifica (G. superba) is a plant up to 3 m tall. It is characterized by bright orange and crimson flowers, wrinkled at the edges with thin perianth lobes. Blooms in late summer and early autumn. The variety 'Yellow' has yellow twisted petals.

G. vershurii is a relatively short species (1.5 m), with broad leaves, bright red flowers with a yellow border, and a shorter pedicel compared to other species.

Cultivation

Gloriosa is grown in pots at home, in greenhouses or in the garden in the open ground. At home, tubers are planted in February in a pot with a mixture consisting of turf (50%), peat (30%) and sand (20%) and put in a warm place, slightly moistening. Usually, three tubers are planted in a pot with a diameter of 25 cm, and one tuber with a diameter of 14-15 cm is planted. During the growth period, organic and mineral fertilizers are applied several times. When the shoots appear, the plants are brought out into the light and begin to water abundantly. As the plants develop, they substitute supports. In the garden, planting in a permanent place is carried out in June in well-drained soil. Gloriosa blooms in summer and autumn. After flowering and drying of the peduncles, watering is reduced and pots or dried tubers are removed to a cool place (8-10 °C) before planting next year.

Gloriosa is grown in pots at home, in greenhouses or in the garden in the open ground. At home, tubers are planted in February in a pot with a mixture consisting of turf (50%), peat (30%) and sand (20%) and put in a warm place, slightly moistening.

Usually, three tubers are planted in a pot with a diameter of 25 cm, and one tuber with a diameter of 14-15 cm is planted. During the growth period, organic and mineral fertilizers are applied several times. When the shoots appear, the plants are brought out into the light and begin to water abundantly. As the plants develop, they substitute supports. In the garden, planting in a permanent place is carried out in June in well-drained soil. Gloriosa blooms in summer and autumn. After flowering and drying of the peduncles, watering is reduced and pots or dried tubers are removed to a cool place (8-10 °C) before planting next year.

Location

At home, it should be brightly lit, and in the fresh air it should be sunny, but protected from the wind.

Temperature

During growth, the minimum temperature should be 16-18 °C.

Watering

During the period of active growth and flowering, water abundantly so that the soil is well soaked.

Reproduction

Propagated by tubers and seeds. Seeds are sown at the end of winter in pots with a diameter of 8 cm in light leafy ground, maintain a temperature of 21-24 °C. Seedlings are thinned out and transplanted into separate pots. Flowering occurs only after 2-4 years. When transplanting old tubers, young ones are separated. Such plants will bloom earlier. In February, very long tubers are cut into several parts, which are planted by disinfecting the cut surface with appropriate preparations.

Diseases

At home, gloriosa is affected by aphids. Pests are eliminated by treating the plants with appropriate preparations.

Acquisition

Tubers and ready-made potted plants are purchased from flower nurseries specializing in bulbous and tuberous crops.