Description and characteristic differences of the krinum plant, recommendations for growing in the open field, propagation methods, protection against pests and diseases, notes for the gardener, species.
Crinum is included by botanists in the family of plants with spectacular flowers called Amaryllidaceae. Most of the representatives of this family are perennials with a herbaceous form and mainly bulbs, but there are specimens that have corms or rhizomes. The native natural habitat falls on the territory of the lands adjacent to the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa (Cape region). Basically, krinum grows in areas with tropical and subtropical climates, where it is found on soils that are systematically flooded, it prefers river floodplains and coastal marine areas, swampy and lacustrine areas. But it can feel comfortable on the lands of both hemispheres under similar conditions. In total, scientists have counted about 106 species in the genus, according to the information indicated on the website of the Internet project The Plant List.
| Family name | Amaryllidaceae |
| Growth cycle | Perennial |
| Growth form | Herbaceous |
| Breeding type | Dropping baby bulbs or dividing the rhizome |
| Transplant time to the garden | From late April to early June, when return frosts will take place |
| Disembarkation scheme | A distance of 0.25-30 cm is maintained between seedlings |
| Substrate | Nutritious, light, silty, mixed with river sand |
| Indicators of soil acidity, pH | Neutral (6, 5-7) or slightly acidic (5-6) |
| Lighting level | Solar flower bed with protection from draft and wind or light shading |
| Recommended humidity | In the heat, daily watering |
| Special Requirements | Moisture-loving |
| Plant height | Almost 1 m |
| Leaves length | 1-1, 5 m and more |
| Color of flowers | Snow-white, pink, with a raspberry shade |
| Inflorescences or type of flowers | Umbrella |
| Flowering time | From spring to autumn |
| Decorative period | Spring-autumn |
| Places of application | Decoration of borders, formation of flower beds |
| USDA zone | 5 and more |
The scientific name of the plant is due to the Latin word "crinis", which translates as "hair". In all likelihood, this term was obtained in connection with the association of the outlines of foliage with long female curls hanging to the soil, but among the people for the love of the marshland is often referred to as "swamp lily".
All types of krinum are the owners of bulbs reaching 25 cm in diameter, characterized by an elongated or short neck. If this part of the bulb is long, then its maximum size can be 0.9 m. The bulbs themselves vary in length in the range of 10-50 cm. The leaf plates of the krinum are elongated, can grow even or xiphoid, with tops hanging to the soil. There are varieties in which their length reaches one and a half meters. When the leaf plates were just formed, they have the shape of a twisted tube - this is the main difference between the krinum and other representatives of the amaryllid family.
There are species in which the so-called "false trunk", crowned with a leaf rosette, is formed through the leaves. In it, a large number of leaves are collected in the form of a fan. The color of the foliage is a rich dark or bright green hue. A long flowering stem originates from a leaf rosette.
If we talk about the height of the krinum, then it is this part (peduncle) that becomes its indicator. The flower-bearing stem can extend over a rosette of leaves by almost a meter. It takes its origin in the place where the leaves on the bulb have already begun to dry out. Between the peduncles there are usually 9 to 12 leaves. A rather voluminous inflorescence with an umbrella shape is formed on the flower stem. Flowers collected in inflorescences can be sessile or have short pedicels. The size of the flowers is quite large. The color of the petals in them is delicate pastel shades - white, pinkish or with crimson tones. The inflorescence is composed of 6-10 buds. Each flower has a diameter that can vary from 15 cm to 20 cm.
It is curious that from the moment when the inflorescence has just formed before it fully develops, almost 5 growing seasons can pass. The flowering process in krinum stretches from spring to autumn.
After pollination occurs under natural conditions, the fruits of the krinum are ripening, represented by seed pods. They contain seeds of large sizes, with a certain amount of moisture in the shell. This liquid will help the young plant germinate in the future and form a bulb, even if there is no moisture from the outside. If you want to get seed, then you will have to artificially pollinate the flowers of the marsh lily.
In our area, it is customary to grow such delicate plants at home, but if you make a little effort, then the krinum will delight with flowering in the garden.
Recommendations for growing krinum - planting and care in the open field
- Planting space in the garden. The plant is hygrophilous, but waterlogging is harmful, so the marsh lily is planted on hills or hills. It is also important for the krinum to provide a lot of heat, light and protection from windy gusts. The location should be sunny, shading can negatively affect growth and flowering.
- Landing krinum in open ground is possible only when round-the-clock warm weather is established, in which the thermometer at night will not drop below 10 heat units - this period can occur from late April to early June (depending on climatic conditions). You can solve the planting problem as follows - swamp lily bulbs are planted with the arrival of spring in pots, and then, when the threat of returnable frost has passed by the transshipment method, they are moved to the garden. Then flowering will begin a month ahead of schedule. If the cultivation of krinum takes place in a region with warm winters, then the plant is left to winter in the soil. But in this case, the planting rules assume that the substrate layer above the bulb will be at least 5 cm. When it is planned to dig out the krinum bulbs in the fall, they are buried only 2/3 so that the third part of the bulb is on top. For any planting between swamp lily bulbs, it is recommended to maintain a distance of about 25-30 cm. Crinums can stay at one planting site for 3-4 years, but then it is necessary to separate the young baby bulbs.
- Soil for planting a swamp lily. Since in natural conditions this plant prefers flooded and marshy areas, then the soil should be selected appropriately. The substrate is best used mixed with river silt (also called sapropel) and sand. This will provide the necessary nutrition and good water and air permeability to the root shoots. You can simply after the hole is dug, put silt, sand and garden soil on its bottom in a 1: 1: 1 ratio. Only in this case will it be possible to enjoy the lush flowering.
- General tips for caring for crinum in the garden. In principle, a plant with proper care should not create problems, it is important only after rain or watering to loosen the soil next to the bush and periodically weed weeds. After flowering ends, all flowering stems must be cut off. The foliage will gradually begin to wither away as the marsh lily prepares for the dormant period. At the same time, it is recommended to reduce watering so that the soil dries out, you also need protection from possible precipitation - the bushes are covered with plastic wrap on top.
- Watering. Since the marsh lily is very fond of moisture, in dry and hot weather in spring and summer, soil moistening should be carried out daily, but in a cloudy period, watering is performed less often. The soil should be constantly wet, but not waterlogged and not flooded, since acidification of the substrate can lead to rotting of the bulbs.
- Fertilizers for krinum, which is grown in the open field, are applied during the entire growing season, top dressing is performed every 14 days, first to build up green mass, and then to bloom. Complex mineral preparations are used for flowering plants, such as Kemira-Universal or Mister-Tsvet, Fertika-Lux. To stimulate flowering, flower growers advise using a mixture composed of superphosphate and potassium salt. Each product is taken in 45 grams and dissolved in a 2-liter jar of water. Organic products, such as cow dung (mullein) diluted in water in a ratio of 1:10 or fermented chicken manure in a ratio of 1:20, have proven themselves quite well. So that the soil does not dry out so quickly, the weeds do not grow, and the plant feels comfortable, the root zone is mulched using humus. It must be laid in a thick layer. It should be remembered that an overabundance of organic preparations may lead to the growth of deciduous mass, but the flowering will be weak or may stop altogether. In the worst case, rotting of the krinum bulb begins. At the same time, the normal dosage of liquid fertilizers is only half a liter for each bulb.
- Wintering krinum. Since the plant is thermophilic, it is possible to leave it to winter in the open field only if the growing region is with warm and mild winters. You will need to cover the plantings of marsh lilies with a thick layer of peat chips or straw. The thickness of such a layer should be at least 0.5 m. You don't have to worry over time, this mulching layer will settle down a little. With the arrival of spring heat, when the snow has completely melted, it is necessary to immediately remove such a shelter so that the bulbs do not dry out. This will also contribute to the awakening of the krinum to growth. In the case when the growing region is different (winters are cold), in order not to risk your plants, it is recommended to dig up the krinum bulbs. Then they are dried a little under a canopy, but in a well-ventilated place. After that, such bulbs are stored in cool conditions and in the dark - the lower shelf of the refrigerator may come up, where the heat indicators are 4-6 degrees. Some growers recommend a basement with similar conditions. Often, garden krinums are transplanted into pots filled with the above soil. Their content will be the same (coolness and darkness), while watering is not carried out. If the marsh lily was previously grown in garden containers, then containers with plants are brought into the room and placed in a place where the heat indicators are about 5 degrees during the winter months. If there is a threat of a temperature drop to zero, you will need to cover the plant with a warm non-woven material, for example, spunbond.
- The use of krinum in landscape design. Since in nature the plant prefers swampy and humid areas, it can be planted in coastal zones of natural and artificial reservoirs. Often, designers decorate flower beds and borders with such plantings of a marsh lily.
See tips for planting and caring for Scadoxus at home.
Crinum breeding methods
Since it is very difficult to obtain seed in our conditions, only the vegetative method is applicable - dividing an overgrown bush or jigging children. It is the last method that is the most acceptable and gives quick positive results.
When 3-4 years pass on each bulb of the plant, a large number of young bulbs are formed, which are called "babies". Usually, they should be separated from the mother's bulb only during the dormant period of the krinum. However, many growers carry out such an operation at a time when the buds have not yet begun to bloom. The mother bush of the krinum is carefully removed from the planting container and the young bulbs are separated.
It is recommended to plant the children in small pots, the diameter of which will not be more than 9–12 cm with a peat-sandy substrate for growing indoors. After some time, you will need to increase the size of the container, as the bulbs will begin to rapidly increase in size. When the threat of the return of spring morning frosts (late May-early June) has passed, the already grown young krinums can be transplanted to a permanent place in the garden.
If the separation is carried out before the flowering of the krinum, then the children can be planted in a shaded place immediately in the open ground, but it may be necessary to cover the night with a non-woven material (for example, lutrasil) to protect them from a possible drop in temperature.
When dividing the rhizome, sharpened garden tools are used. Each of the divisions must have a sufficient number of leaves and root processes. Sections are carefully powdered with charcoal powder, you can use both charcoal and pharmacy activated charcoal. After dividing, it is necessary to very quickly land in a new place.
Krinum pest and disease control methods when grown in the garden
The main problem when caring for crinum in the garden is moisture that stagnates in the soil from rain or watering. Waterlogging of the substrate will inevitably lead to rotting of the root system (bulbs) and the subsequent death of the plant. If symptoms such as yellowing of the leaves, loss of turgor are noticed, then it is recommended to immediately treat the bush with fungicidal preparations. They can be funds such as Fundazol or Topsin-M.
Of the pests that infect this flowering representative of the amaryllis, there are:
- Spider mite, which begins to pierce the leaf plates, suck out nutritious juices, while the leaves turn yellow and dry out, a thin whitish cobweb is also observed on the plant, and if no control measures are taken, it will soon cover the entire bush and destroy the krinum.
- Mealybug, settling in the leaf sinuses and also feeding on the sap of the plant. The pest is easily distinguishable by lumps of whitish color, reminiscent of cotton wool. You can also see a sticky bloom - pad, which is a product of the vital activity of an insect. If measures are not taken to combat, then this plaque will lead to the appearance of a disease - a sooty fungus.
To carry out measures to get rid of harmful insects, it is recommended to carry out treatment with insecticidal preparations like Aktara, Aktellik or Fitoverma. After 14 days, spraying is repeated to completely destroy both the hatched pests and their eggs.
Read also about the fight against possible pests and diseases of the white flower
Notes for gardeners about the krinum flower
In addition to the fact that this representative of the flora serves as an adornment of premises and a garden, for a long time in the East they knew about its medicinal properties. It revealed biologically active components such as lycorin and bacolin (both alkaloids). These substances have been shown by medical research to have anti-cancer effects.
The foliage is crushed to a mushy state and compresses are prepared on a hot basis to lower the patient's body temperature if he has a cold. In addition, it is possible to relieve the manifestations of headache, relieve pain in the liver or pass, symptoms of sciatica disappeared. Also, this tool has been used to treat various tumors. A decoction made on the basis of foliage has an expectorant effect, and if applied externally, it is possible to cure skin diseases or hemorrhoids.
Important!!
Fresh krinum bulbs are poisonous, the use of drugs based on them should be supervised by a doctor.
Potions made from bulbs can be used as a laxative or to increase bleeding from the uterus. In addition, the leaf plates of this amaryllis species contain active substances that have an analgesic effect, help reduce fever and fight pathogenic bacteria.
Attention!!
Since all parts of this plant are poisonous, it is recommended to use gloves when working with it, and at the end of work, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. The landing of the krinum must be prudently carried out in places inaccessible to small children.
Types of krinum for growing in the garden
The most common varieties are Crinum abyssinicum, Crinum giganteum and Crinum augustum. Their characteristics and differences, as well as the rules of agricultural technology for cultivation in rooms, were discussed in our article "Krinum: rules for growing indoors." In addition to them, there are many other interesting species, which we will talk about below.
Crinum virgineum (Crinum virgineum)
or as it is also called Krinum girlish. The plant is native to the southern regions of Brazil. The size of the bulb is large, the color of the surface is brown. The shape of the leaves is belt-like, they gradually taper towards the top and at the base. The length of the leaf plate can reach 60–90 cm with a width of about 7–10 cm. The transverse veins are clearly visible on the surface, which is a distinguishing feature of this species from other representatives of the genus. The inflorescence has the appearance of an umbrella, composed of 6 buds, attached by very short stems or lacking them. The perianth tube is light greenish in color, there is a bend, it is 7–10 cm long. The petals are snow-white, their length correlates with the tube length. There is an opportunity to enjoy flowers in autumn. Can be grown as a greenhouse plant in warm conditions.
Crinum campanulatum (Crinum campanulatum)
In nature, it grows in reservoirs with stagnant water on the territory of South Africa in the Cape Province. The size of the bulb is small, elliptical. The leaf blade is straight in the central part with a groove, sharpening along the edge, the values of the leaf span vary in the range of 0.9–1, 2 m. The color of the thin peduncle is emerald, it is crowned with an umbrella-shaped inflorescence made of 4–8 buds. The flower stalk reaches 2 cm. The perianth tube acquires the contours of an elongated cylinder with a bend. Its outer side is covered with stripes of greenish-red color scheme. The tube extends 4–6 cm, opening its mouth like a bell. The petals in the corolla grow close to one another. Its outer side at its base has whitish-red stripes, to which stripes of grassy, pinkish and red tones are more interspersed. Flowers open during the summer months.
Crinum amabile
Natural distribution falls on forests on the island of Sumatra with a tropical climate. The size of the bulb is average, the length of the neck is 20–35 cm. The shape of the leaves is belt-like, there are 25–30 leaves, they measure 1–1.5 m in length and 7–10 cm in width. The umbrella inflorescence is composed of about 30 buds. The color of the petals is bright, snow-white or crimson. There is a pleasant fragrance during flowering. The perianth tube is shaded with a dense crimson color, without bend, its length is about 8-10 cm. The inner surface of the petals is whitish, the length of each varies in the range of 10-15 cm from 1-1.5 cm in width. Inside the corolla there are stamens of a chornil shade. Flowers usually begin to bloom in March, but occasionally bloom may recur.
Crinum reddish (Crinum erubescens)
Is a native of tropical America. The thickness of a regular oval bulb reaches 10 cm. The number of leaves is large, their shape is belt-like. The length of the leaf does not exceed 0.6–0.9 cm with a width of about 5–8 cm. The edge on the leaves is rough. The length of the flowering stem usually has parameters similar to the length of the leaves. The peduncle is crowned with an umbellate inflorescence, formed from 4 to 6 buds, attached with shortened pedicels or without them. The inside of the corolla is snow-white, outside its surface is pale red. During flowering, which occurs in the summer months, a delicate aroma spreads. The perianth tube length is measured at 10-15 cm, its shade is pale red. The petals have lanceolate outlines.
Crinum pratense (Crinum pratense)
Basically, the natural distribution includes the territories of the eastern regions of India. In the summer, buds usually bloom. The bulb has an elliptical shape and a shortened neck, the thickness is measured 10-15 cm. 2-3 pairs of straight leaf plates are formed, which do not exceed 45-65 cm in length. The thickness of the flowering stem is 0.5 cm with a height of only 0.3 m. The inflorescence is umbellate, composed of 3–6 pairs of buds. The flowers have short stems that attach them to the inflorescence and are snow-white in color. The length of the flower does not exceed 7-10 cm. The petals have lanceolate outlines. Large reddish stamens are visible inside.
Crinum capense
prefers the rocky lands of the Cape Province in South Africa. The shape of the onion is similar to a bottle, since its neck is narrowed and elongated. The foliage is straight and narrow. The length of the leaf varies in the range of 60–90 cm, the edge is rough. The color of the leaves is grayish-green, there is a groove in the central part. On the flower-bearing stem, which does not exceed 40 cm, there is an umbellate inflorescence composed of 4–12 buds. The color of the flowers is snow-white or whitish-purple. Their outlines are voluminous, the length of the pedicels is 3-5 cm. When flowering in July-August, a pleasant aroma spreads. The shape of the perianth tubule is cylindrical with a slight bend, the length does not exceed 7–10 cm. The surface on the outside of the petals is pinkish-purple in color, occasionally takes on a whitish color. The length of the petals can be equal to the parameters of the corolla tube.
Crinum macowanii
in its natural environment grows on rocky slopes in the Natal region and the Cape of Good Hope regions in South Africa (Cape province). A bulb with rounded outlines, can grow to a diameter of 25 cm, its neck does not exceed the same length. The leaf plates vary within 0.6–0.9 cm with a width of about 10 cm. The flower-bearing stem is almost 0.9 cm in height, and is crowned with an umbellate inflorescence. The inflorescence umbel is formed by 10-15 buds. The color of the perianth tube is emerald, this part has a bend and is 8–10 cm long. The petals may be the same in length, but their shade is pinkish. This variety blooms with the arrival of late autumn, so it can only be recommended for cultivation in greenhouses or southern regions.
Crinum powellii
This species, obtained by selection, when Krinum Mura and Krinum Kapsky were crossed. It is best suited for growing outdoors as it adapts easily to our climatic conditions, but it is recommended to organize a shelter for the winter. The bulb has a spherical shape, the diameter is 15 cm. The foliage is belt-shaped, reaching a meter in length. The flowers in the opening measure 15 cm, of which an umbrella-shaped inflorescence is composed on an elongated peduncle (about 1 m). When blooming, a delicate fragrant aroma spreads around. The color of the perianth tube is a rich, dense pink shade.
Video about growing krinum in the garden:
