Description of the nerine plant, how to plant and care for the nerina in the garden plot, advice on reproduction, ways to combat pests and diseases, curious notes, species and varieties.
Nerine can also be found under the name Nerina. This plant belongs to the representatives of the flora from the Amaryllidaceae family. Under natural conditions, it can be found on the territory of the South African regions, but today it is cultivated in different parts of the world. At the same time, the habitat covers an arid and rocky environment. If we rely on data obtained from various sources, then the genus unites in itself from 13 to 30 varieties. Although described as lilies, they are not significantly related to true specimens of the Liliaceae family, but more closely resemble their relatives, the amaryllis and lycoris.
| Family name | Amaryllidaceae |
| Growing period | Perennial |
| Vegetation form | Herbaceous |
| Breeding method | Seed or using bulbs |
| Landing period in open ground | From late July or early August |
| Landing rules | Distance between bulbs at least 7 cm |
| Priming | Lightweight, well-drained, nutritious |
| Soil acidity values, pH | 6, 5-7 (neutral) |
| Lighting degree | Well lit place |
| Humidity parameters | During the flowering period, watering is moderate and regular, during the rest period, dry content |
| Special care rules | Heat-loving |
| Height values | 0.3-0.6 m |
| Inflorescences or type of flowers | Spherical umbellate inflorescences |
| Flower color | Snow white, pink, orange, red and purple |
| Flowering period | September October |
| Decorative period | Spring and Autumn |
| Application in landscape design | Florists and mixborders, flower bed decoration, border decoration, for cutting |
| USDA zone | 5–9 |
The genus was identified by William Herbert (1778–1847) a botanist from England in 1820. The name of the genus comes from the Nereids (sea nymphs) of Greek mythology, who protected sailors and their ships. Herbert combined Morison's account of the plant being washed ashore by a shipwreck with Renaissance poetry, hinting at the salvation of Vasco da Gama's ship by Nereida, in the epic poem by Camões Os Luciad. The name "spider lily" or "spider lily" is shared by a number of different genera in the Amaryllidaceae family. It happens that among the people you can hear the following nicknames - the Nymph flower, the Cape flower (because of the native places of growth) or the Guernsey lily.
All types of nerine are herbaceous perennial bulbous flowering plants. In the case of deciduous species, the inflorescence may appear on bare stems before the development of leaves (hysterantia property), otherwise foliage forms with flowers (synanthia) or later. The bulbs have a shortened neck, which is a difference, since other members of the family are deprived of this. In this case, the diameter of the spider lily bulb can reach 3-5 cm. Its surface is covered with brownish scales. The stem extends to a height of 30 to 60 cm. The foliage of nerina takes on outlines ranging from filiform (like in Nerine filifolia) to linear and flat, belt-like (like in Nerine humilis). The color of the leaves is dark green saturated color.
It is the flowering process that is a spectacular sight in the spider lily. From its few flowers, spherical umbellate inflorescences are formed, crowning a leafless stem, which can be a trunk or a peduncle. The number of buds per inflorescence varies from 3–6 pairs. This stem can be thin and strong, occasionally its cover is represented by the smallest hairs. It also has a pair of lanceolate toothed bracts that resemble spears and surround the inflorescence. Flowering stems are characterized by a bare (smooth) or hairy surface. Despite their subtlety, they are quite stable.
The flowers have really lily-like outlines, the perianth with one plane of symmetry (zygomorphic), but occasionally it can take on radially symmetrical features. Each of the flowers has an extension, while the perianth tube can be shortly elongated or curved. It is composed of three pairs of narrowed petals (perianth segments) characterized by a snow-white, pink or red tint. The color of the petals in hybrid or cultivated forms may have a pattern of streaks or specks. At the base, the petals are usually characterized by splicing, which makes it possible to form a tube. The free parts of the perianth are often the owners of narrowly obverse-lanceolate (with wider edges) and wavy edge outlines. The petals of each variety have different contours due to their waviness and curl. It is these forms of the flower that give it a unique decorative effect.
The stamens that are inside the flower are formed oblique (winding) or straight, their size is not the same. They take their origin from the base of the perianth and are often connected there, while they can protrude from the corolla. Filamentous filaments are thin and filamentary. The anthers on the stamens swing freely and are characterized by oblong outlines, while attached to the dorsal (posterior) part of the stamen. There is also a pair of grooves on their surface. When opened, the nerine flower can reach 4 cm in diameter. This exotic pleases with flowering during September-October, the duration of this process can stretch for two months. When blooming, a wonderful aroma spreads next to the spider lily plantings.
After pollination of flowers, fruits ripen, which take the form of a dry box, which opens when ripe. Bears the fruit in itself from one to several seeds, characterized by a spherical or ovoid shape. Their color is reddish-green, and often the seeds begin to develop before they are separated from the mother plant, that is, the spider lily is viviparous.
Important
It is impossible to allow the nerine juice to get on the open skin, or even more so on the mucous membrane, since this in the first case threatens with burns, and in the second - poisoning. Gloves are recommended when working with the plant. It is necessary to plant such representatives of the flora in those places where small children or pets will not have access to them.
It is clear that because of its thermophilicity, nerine can be grown in open ground only in warm climates, therefore it is often kept as an indoor or greenhouse culture, but if you put a little effort, you can have such an unusual exotic flower in the garden.
Planting and caring for a nerin plant in a personal plot
- Guernsey lily planting site … This exotic plant can only be grown outdoors in warm climates, for example, on the Black Sea coast or in Sochi. If the autumn is cool, and the winter is frosty and snowy, then the death of this exotic cannot be avoided. In another case, the plant is planted in a container and transferred to the garden with the arrival of spring. When landing in open ground, you must immediately take care of the right place, it must be well lit and at a low elevation. If the latter aspect is not naturally available, then it can be organized independently by pouring a sufficient layer of drainage material, covering it with soil.
- Soil for nerine should be used lightweight, with good water and air permeability. The soil mixture can be made independently from garden soil, river coarse sand and peat chips (some use compost). It is important that the substrate is not heavy and prone to waterlogging. Normal acidity is recommended with a pH of 6, 5–7.
- Landing nerine in open ground it is recommended to carry out from the end of July to the middle of August. The bulbs are placed in the holes so that they are completely covered with a layer of soil, the approximate planting depth is 5-6 cm. It is recommended to leave the distance between the planting holes about 7 cm. After the bulbs are planted, it is best to mulch the beds with dried grass or sawdust.
- Watering for a spider lily, it should be moderate so that the soil does not under any circumstances become waterlogged or dry out. This is one of the most difficult aspects of growing nerine. After watering, you can gently loosen the soil and weed out the weeds. While the plant is blooming, it is regularly moistened, by the end of this process, moistening is reduced, and during the dormant period, the content should be dry.
- Fertilizers for Guernsey lilies it is recommended to use it in liquid form. Basically, fertilizing is applied during the flowering period once every 7 days. After the flowering process is over, fertilizers should be applied only twice a month until the April days, and since the dormant period begins in May, the plant should not be disturbed with top dressing until a new wave of flowering.
- Care for nerine during the rest period. The vegetative process is characterized by two dormant periods. The first of them falls on the winter period, when the flowering is over, the second takes place in the summer months. It is the first (winter) one that is most important in the life of the plant, since during it the laying of flower buds takes place. During the rest period, it is important to keep the air dry and cool. To maintain the latter condition, flower growers transfer containers with a plant to the basement, to the balcony or loggia, or, in extreme cases, put them on the lower shelf of the refrigerator. Nerina should be moved to a room with a low temperature immediately after the end of autumn flowering and the plant should be kept there until the beginning of spring. It is important to note, however, that the awakening period will not be long. Already in July, the amount of moisture, and their number needs to be reduced, and by September, watering is stopped altogether. If the foliage of the spider lily begins to dry out, then this is a sure sign of the approaching second dormancy period. Dried leaf plates are carefully cut off. You cannot cut off green leaves from nerine, as this means that the dormant period has not begun due to the fact that the flower continues to receive a certain amount of moisture. During March-April, the spider lily awakens, and at this time all transplantation or reproduction operations take place.
- The use of nerine in landscape design. If the region has a warm climate, then the Guernsey lily has the opportunity to successfully decorate any mixborder and flower garden, plant it along the curbs or in the central part of the flower beds. The plant tolerates cutting very well, and besides, it will stimulate future flowering.
- Special care tips. Once the bulbs have been planted, a lush bloom should not be expected in the first year. It comes around October days. It is curious that nerina is able to calmly survive the decrease in the thermometer column to the -10 frost mark. However, you do not need to remove the mulching layer, this can serve as protection for the bulbs. But if winter is expected to be cold, then experienced florists recommend removing the bulbs from the soil, drying them thoroughly and storing them before planting in a box, sprinkled with sawdust, in a dry and cool room. If the heat readings exceed 5-10 degrees, it will damage future flowering, but in the worst case, the bulb may simply die. If the winters in the growing region are warm, then the plant may not be replanted for a 4–5-year period.
See also tips for growing allium.
Nerine breeding tips
Usually, to please themselves with such an unusual plant as a spider lily, they use the seed method or planting bulbs.
Reproduction of nerine using seeds
This method is quite complicated and it will be difficult for a novice florist to cope with it, since it is used in the industrial cultivation of Guernsey lilies. This is due to the fact that the percentage of sown seeds that will sprout is quite low, and seedlings will not appear quickly. Seeds must be sown immediately after the ripe fruit pods are harvested. For this, separate peat cups are used, filled with soil mixture intended for seedlings. Some people use vermiculite instead of a substrate.
The distribution of nerine seeds is carried out on the surface of the soil, but you should not bury them in the soil mixture. The distance between seeds must be 2–3 cm if a seedling box was used instead of individual pots. After sowing, the seeds are sprayed from a fine spray bottle with water at room temperature. Containers with crops are covered with plastic transparent film or a piece of glass is placed on top.
When sowing is carried out, the room temperature should remain at 22-24 degrees. For successful germination, heat readings must not drop. Crop maintenance will consist of maintaining a constant, slightly moist soil and aeration every day for 10-15 minutes. If everything goes well, then after a month you can see the first shoots of nerine. Then the shelter can be removed, and the seedlings should be transferred to a cooler room, with a temperature of about 18 degrees. When a couple of leaves unfold on the seedling, it is recommended to transplant in separate containers and continue to grow seedlings. For three years, such young Cape lilies need to be grown without a dormant period, that is, watering should always remain regular and moderate, and it is not recommended to put the plants out in the cold. Only when this period has expired can the spider lily be transplanted into the garden.
Reproduction of nerine bulbs
Usually, daughter bulbs - babies - can form next to the mother spider lily bulb during the growing season. When, after a 4–5 year period, it is necessary to carry out a transplant, then it can be combined with separation. Children should be placed in separate pots with nutrient soil for a maximum of a couple of pieces and grown. Such young Cape lilies will bloom no earlier than 3-4 years from planting. The substrate for planting babies can be used as for the mother plant. Containers should not be selected large. Their diameter should be such that no more than 2-3 cm remains between the planted bulb and the wall of the pot. Only such a trick will allow the lily to start blooming, and not to grow new baby bulbs. Young lilies of Guernsey will bloom after planting only after 2-3 years.
Read more about the breeding methods of the white flower
Ways to control pests and diseases when growing nerin in the open field
Despite the external fragility, Cape lily practically does not get sick and is not attacked by harmful insects. But all the same, due to violations of the rules of agricultural technology, the following troubles happen:
- Powdery mildew or ash … A disease that occurs with systematic waterlogging of the soil and a decrease in air temperature. If it is noticed that the leaves have begun to become covered with a whitish bloom, then it is necessary to immediately carry out the treatment with a fungicidal preparation like Fundazole or Bordeaux liquid.
- Viral mosaic is a rather dangerous disease when a pattern of different-sized spots of yellow, white or brownish color appears on the leaves. After a certain period of time, the tissue where the spots appeared dies off. The disease is incurable and it is recommended to remove the plant from the site and burn it so that the infection does not spread further.
- Pests that can be harmful for the lily of Guernsey are:
- Aphid - bugs of green or black color, sucking nutritious juices from the leaves and spreading a sticky coating of honeydew, due to which such a disease as soot fungus can occur.
- Mealybug, easily distinguishable, because on the back of the leaves, whitish lumps appear in the internodes, somewhat reminiscent of cotton wool. These insects also suck and feed on nerine juices, which leads to its weakening, growth retardation and cessation of flowering.
- Root mites, capable of infecting the Cape lily bulb during storage or growth.
If symptoms are detected that indicate the presence of pests, it is recommended to immediately carry out treatment with insecticidal preparations, for example, Aktara or Aktellik. If root mites appear, then they are washed off the surface of the bulb with soapy water or sprayed with a very light solution of potassium permanganate. When the bulbs are in storage, they can be placed under UV lamps for 3-5 minutes once a week for disinfection.
Curious notes about the nerin flower
For the first time studies of the plant were carried out in 1636 by Jacob Cornut (1606-1651), a French botanist. He considered a variety of Nerine sarniensis, then called Narcissus japonicus rutilo flor. The plant was discovered in the garden of Jean Morin's Paris nursery in October 1634. In 1680, Robert Morison spoke of a cargo from Japan that was washed ashore and the same plants were found there.
In 1725, James Douglas published an account in his book Description of Guernsey Lilly, hence the synonymous name Guernsey lily. It is said that a ship carrying boxes of this type of onion, destined for the Netherlands, was shipwrecked off the island of Guernsey off the coast of Normandy. The boxes of bulbs were washed on the island coast and bulbs began to multiply throughout the surrounding lands.
The flora taxonomist Karl Linnaeus himself in 1753 named this representative of the flora Amaryllis sarniensis, after using this term Douglas, and assigned one of the nine species that he combined in this genus. However, the earliest published genus name was Imhofia, given by Lorenz Heister in 1755. The real term “Nerine”, published by William Herbert in 1820, was widely used, as a result of which it was decided to keep it.
Nerine hybrid Zeal Giant received the Garden Merit Award from the Royal Horticultural Society. The other 20 species are rarely cultivated and very little is known about their biology. Many species are endangered due to the loss or degradation of their habitat.
Types and varieties of nerine
Nerine bowdenii
is one of the most common types. A bulb with elongated outlines, reaching a diameter of 5 cm. Most of it is located below the soil surface. The bulb is covered with glossy light brown scales. Linear leaf plates have belt-like outlines, their length is 30 cm, with a width of about 2.5 cm. The leaf has a slight groove, its surface is glossy, covered with numerous veins.
The length of the flowering stem is 45 cm, its crown is crowned with an umbrella-shaped inflorescence. 6–12 buds are collected in an inflorescence umbrella. The flowers are characterized by curling petals. The petals have all shades of lilac color scheme. Inside each petal, on its central part, there is a longitudinal stripe of a darker tone. Flowers begin to bloom in the last days of September.
The area of natural growth falls on the South African territory, but because of its hardiness, the species can be kept in a climate with mild winters. Cultivation as a culture falls on 1904.
The most popular varieties are:
- Albivetta characterized by small flowers with snow-white petals, attributed to the Nerine alba group.
- Favorite owner of inflorescences of marshmallow (pinkish) color
- Stephanie (Stephanie) when flowering, it flaunts with large flowers, grouping at the top of an elongated flowering stem. The color of the petals is deep pink, in the central part there is a strip, the tone of which is much darker.
- Mr. John - during flowering, buds with petals in a corolla of raspberry color bloom.
Nerine pudica
characterized by rounded outlines of the bulb, which reaches a diameter of 3 cm. The foliage has oblong contours, its color is saturated green with a bluish tint. The long peduncle is crowned with an umbrella formed from 2-3 pairs of flowers of snow-white or pinkish color.
Nerine flexuosa
An extremely rare variety characterized by bell-shaped flowers. The petals in them are white or pinkish, the edge of the petals is wavy. The bulb does not exceed 4 cm in diameter. The bulb becomes the source of the formation of 6–12 oblong leaf plates. The length of the leaf is 20-25 cm with a width of about 2 cm. The central part of the bulb becomes the site of the formation of a flowering stem, which can stretch up to 0.9 m. The following successful varieties have been developed today:
- Alba - snow-white bloom.
- Pulhella differs from others in the color of the leaves, which have a greenish-gray tint.
- Sanderson. The flowers have a wrinkled surface of the petals and rather wide leaf plates.
Nerine sarniensis
is the most thermophilic and is intended either for indoor cultivation or in warm climates. The area of growth in nature falls on the Cape Province (South Africa) and therefore is popularly called the Cape Lily. The shape of the bulb is ovoid, with a slight elongation, the parameters in diameter vary within 3-5 cm. The color of the foliage is bright green, the outlines of the leaf plate are straight. In length, the leaves can grow up to 25-30 cm. Leaves begin to emerge from the bulb only when the flowering process is complete.
From the very beginning of vegetative activity, an elongated flowering stem is drawn from the central part of the bulb, the top of which is crowned with an umbrella inflorescence. The number of buds in it is large - in the range of 10–20 pieces. The petals in the flower are elongated with ovoid contours, painted in wine-red or cherry color. Anthers on long filaments can be seen inside the corolla.
Among florists, the following forms are best known:
- Sarney Coruska, characterized by the scarlet color of the petals, while the background for them is light green foliage, inside each leaf plate there is a darker longitudinal strip.
- Wolsey the color of the petals in the flowers is bright scarlet, the stamens are of the same color, and the anthers are whitish.
- Plantini has a rather long flowering stem, topped with cherry-red or reddish-brown inflorescences, while the petals in the flowers have needle-like outlines.
- Venasta characterized by an early flowering process, with small flowers made up of petals with a sickle-shaped contour with a slight bend.
- Rushmere Star - both the stamens and the petals are characterized by a bright pink color, the anthers are black.
- Lyndhurst Salmon has flowers in which the central part of pale pinkish petals is decorated with a strip of a more saturated color scheme.
- Blanchefleur when flowering forms snow-white inflorescences.
Related article: Tips for growing krinum in the garden.
Video about growing nerin:
