Description and characteristics of spider lily, planting, cultivation and care

The homeland of the spider lily is Japan. There the flower is called higanbana. We know several more names of this decorative crop: resurrected lily, lycoris, golden amaryllis. A flower of amazing beauty is shrouded in a haze of mystery, however, like all representatives of the east. There are many legends and traditions about him. Having settled such an exotic guest at home, you can tirelessly admire its decorative features and bring the aroma of oriental culture and fairy tales into your home. There are no difficulties in caring for a spider lily.

Description and characteristics of lycoris

The spider lily belongs to the Amaryllis family and has a bulbous root system, which makes it similar to daffodils and tulips. A characteristic feature of the crop, because of which it has become the heroine of legends, is that its leaves and flowers never appear on the plant at the same time.

Unlike other bulbous plants, the spider lily's resting period is in the summer. And only in the first days of September lycoris wakes up and throws out a shoot. It is distinguished by very rapid growth and grows by 50 cm within 4-5 days. After a short period of time, about 5 buds are formed on each shoot, which are distinguished by a funnel-shaped shape and exude a magical, intoxicating aroma that spreads far beyond the garden plot.

The palette of buds is very diverse: there are golden, purple, orange, red, white shades of petals. The entire flowering period of the spider lily is quite short - only 10-12 days. And after the flower stalks wither, lycoris demonstrates the beauty of its leaves. Moreover, they remain for the entire winter period, and disappear only by the month of June.

This crop is usually planted in cemeteries, for which it received another name - the flower of death. It is believed that the spider lily is intended to decorate the afterlife of the deceased.

Advantages and disadvantages

Like every plant, the spider lily has its strengths and weaknesses. The advantages of planting this ornamental crop include:

• Buds of extraordinary beauty.
• The bright aroma of blooming flowers.
• Easy to care for.
• No need for annual replanting.
• Persistent immunity to diseases

Among the disadvantages of lycoris:

• Demanding requirements for soil composition.
• Sensitivity to drafts.
• The need for shelter for the winter in the northern regions.

Types of flower

Among several dozen representatives of this genus, several varieties are distinguished that are successfully grown in the Russian climate.

Radiant

Reaches a height of 30 to 70 cm, the leaves are narrow, about 5-7 mm, some especially long ones bend from the center. With the arrival of autumn, pink or terracotta buds bloom on radiant lycoris. The petals have a characteristic feature - a narrow and long tendril that leans back. In the center there is a bunch of wide processes with wavy edges.

Scaly

The maximum height of scaly lycoris, growing in Japan, is 70 cm. There is a rosette near the ground; it consists of bright green, belt-shaped leaves, the width of which ranges from 1 to 3 cm. Flowering occurs in late August, when a about 8-9 buds. The color of the oval petals is light lilac. In the center of the flower there are thin stamens. The flowering period is no more than 2 weeks.

Blood red

One of the shortest varieties - its dimensions do not exceed 45 cm in height. The leaves are small, appear on the blood-red lycoris in April, and by June they turn yellow. On one large stem, 6 buds are formed, having a bright scarlet color, their diameter does not exceed 5 cm.

Golden

The shape of this species resembles radiant lycoris, but the color of its flowers is yellow. The petals are characterized by fringed curling; inside the flower there are snow-white stamens.

Features of growing ornamental crops

To admire a rare exotic plant in your garden, you must strictly follow all the rules for planting and preparing the soil for spider lilies. The plant is not capricious, but it still has its own requirements for soil quality.

What time to plant

Experienced gardeners call autumn the best time to plant spider lilies in the garden. Moreover, it is important to take into account that at least a month remains for the first drop in temperature to sub-zero levels. In this case, lycoris will have time to grow in a new place and adapt to environmental conditions. He will endure the winter without problems, and next autumn he will delight you with exotic flowers.

If for some reason the planting could not be carried out in the fall, it is allowed to do it in the spring, however, in this case, the spider lily may get sick, and the gardener will not see flowering earlier than in a year.

Preparing the site and planting material

To plant spider lilies, select an area that is protected from blowing winds and drafts. It is necessary to take into account that bright sun rays leave burns on the foliage of lycoris, so place it in light partial shade that falls from deciduous trees. In addition, in the bright sun, the buds of the spider lily will not be so colorful, their color will fade.

Before planting, dig up the selected area and remove all weeds so that they do not choke out the young flowers. The soil should be loose and sandy.

Before planting in the ground, spider lily bulbs are treated with any fungicide or kept in a slightly pink solution of potassium permanganate.

Planting process

Step-by-step instructions for planting lycoris:

1. Make holes about 15 cm deep in the selected and prepared area.
2. When placing the bulbs, maintain a distance of 25 cm between them so that the flowers have enough nutrition.
3. A small layer of river sand is laid at the bottom of the hole to improve the permeability of the soil.
4. Gently press the material into the soil, sprinkle sand on top, if there are voids, fill them with soil.
5. Sprinkle the soil generously with water.

Experienced gardeners recommend laying a layer of mulch from fallen leaves or straw.

How to properly care for a flower

The decorative quality and health of the exotic guest depend on compliance with the rules of care.

Top dressing

Although the spider lily is quite capable of providing itself with nutrients by pulling them from the soil, in some cases additional fertilization is necessary. They focus on the appearance of lycoris - if it has stopped its growth, has become sluggish, they add mineral compounds suitable for bulbous plants. This is done only 2 hours after irrigation, otherwise the fertilizing will simply burn the bulb and destroy the crop.

Watering

During the period of bud set and leaf formation, spider lily requires abundant and regular irrigation. Even short-term drying out of the soil should not be allowed; this will certainly affect the decorative qualities of lycoris.

During the summer dormant period, when the leaves have withered and the flowers have not yet appeared, moisture is completely stopped.

Transfer

Frequent replanting of spider lilies is not necessary. The crop grows quietly in one place for 5 years, but after this time the lycoris will have to be moved to a new area. If this is not done in time, the flower begins to hurt and eventually dies.

Preparing for winter

There is no need to remove spider lily bulbs from the ground for the winter. However, be sure to cut out the peduncle after flowering has ended; it draws all the juices out of the plant and interferes with its full preparation for the cold. If the region has cold and little snow winters, cover the bulbs with a layer of foliage or spruce branches. This is enough for a successful wintering of a spider lily.

Diseases, pests and ways to combat them

Spider lily exhibits strong immunity to diseases and insect pests. The fact is that lycoris foliage contains phytoncides that protect the plant from these problems. The only pest that sometimes affects the flower is the narcissus fly. They fight it with a solution of any systemic insecticide, watering the area during the active growing season of the plant.

Breeding rules

Most often, gardeners use daughter bulbs that regularly form on the mother plant to propagate lycoris. The seed method for propagating spider lilies is rarely used, since the material has very low germination.

Application in garden design

Landscape designers recommend combining lycoris in plantings with low-growing plants that have similar care requirements. Spectacular floral arrangements are created with begonias, crocuses, ferns and anemones. The spider lily also looks advantageous in rockeries and alpine slides in combination with delphiniums and irises.