|
 |
|
Gazania Species
Other Links
|
| Home | | | Rose | | | Marigold | | | Hibiscus | | | Dahlia | | | Carnation | | | Tube Rose | | | Gazania | | |
Swamp Lily
Its common name is Swamp lily and belongs to Amaryllidacea family. Its botanical name is crinum. Its native is eastern seaboard of Australia. It is perennial type (i.e. it can last for more than three seasons). It is also called as River lily, Mangrove lily, and American beaver and so on. Its native is tidal area of east coast of Queensland, Australia, New Guinea, New South Wales and few Pacific Islands. This plant consists of strap-shaped green leaves and has a small trunk. This plant can grow 2 to 3 m high and can spread for about 3 m and produce large attractive flowers in different colors like white, red, pink and dark red. Its flower has six petals and will be fragrant. For best growth its entire species requires sunny location and few species needs still more sun light for better growth, but also grow well in partial shade location also. This plant will be more attractive when grown in groups and plant can be grown in borders of garden and the swamp lily plant withstands frost. This plant attracts birds and butterflies. Its seed will be poisonous and never taste the plant. After the plant finished flowering, the plant will be dormant and hence will be in rest for few months. Reduce watering the plant in its resting period. After few months it will start its growth cycle.
Cultivation : Swamp lily plant can be grown easily from its onion like bulb. To plant with bulb, bury it in the soil in such a way that the bulb tips are just below the soil. While burying more bulbs place them 12 inches apart. The bulb must be buried in such a way that its pointed top is facing upward. The bulb will be in round onion shape, so its pointed top can be identified easily. When planted reversely there won’t be plant growth at all. The soil must be well drained and for best growth it requires full sun to partial shade location. It’s very essential to keep the soil moist in all the seasons; we can also use mulch (i.e. organic materials) to maintain moisture of soil and this mulch also provides nutrients to soil and hence enrich the soil. This ensures better growth of plant. The plant requires lot of water and the soil preferred for its growth must always be kept moist. This plant can even tolerate poor drainage soil and also clay soil. The bulb starts germinate in few weeks and plant growth takes place.
Swamp lily can be easily grown from freshly harvested seeds. The seeds must be kept moist. In some cases the seeds start to germinate even when attached to parent plant. But it will be time consuming process. This swamp lily can be cultivated in fall or in spring.
Swamp lily plant will also grow and flower well in containers. The container must have drainage hole and must be filled with rich and well-drained soil. Fertilizing is must when grown in container for good growth and requires lots of water. If growing in container indoors, keep the container in bright, cool temperature. The container must have numerous rooms for spreading for plant.
Propagation : Swamp lily plant can be propagated by sowing seed in the container and wait till the seed germinates. But propagating from seed is time consuming and takes long time for germinating the seed and also to reach flowering size. This method is not usually followed.
Dividing tubers, bulbs after flowering, also can propagate swamp lily. Bulbs are lifted during winter season and it is divided and in early spring it should be replanted. Propagating by this method will be very effective.
Varieties : Swamp lily plant consists of about 180 different species and its entire species are developed from bulbs. Its entire species are poisonous. Some of its species are Crinum asiaticum, Crinum americanum, Crinum Calamistratum, Crinum natans, Crinum procerum, Crinum xanthophyllum, Crinum moorei, Crinum bulbispermum, Crinum thaianum and so on.
Disease and Cure : Mites attack swamp lily plant and bulb which lead to dry leaves, to be free from the problems created by mites use appropriate insecticides and spray. It will reduce the problem to some extent. Wide-range fungicide must be used before the growth of bud in order to prevent the plant from fungal diseases, which spreads very easily throughout the plant when left unseen, and cause damage to whole plant.
To overcome from the trouble of gophers or squirrels eating bulbs sprinkle the holes with red pepper and use chicken wire to cover the bulb. Water the plant regularly but excess water supply must be avoided, since it will cause the rotten bud, stem and root and plant get spoiled, hence appropriate amount of water should to supplied with an adequate days of gap between watering. Inadequate water causes the plant to lose its strength and hence the plant will die. The moisture of the soil must be maintained for the growth of the plant, cover the soil with mulch in summer to maintain its moisture.