Gemantus

Gemantus is a monocotyledonous flower that belongs to the amaryllis family. In natural, wild conditions, this plant can be found almost everywhere in South America, but in general, Gemantus is now well cultivated in many other countries, in areas where, in general, climatic and conditions can vary markedly. Today, the hemantus is recognized as an extensive genus, which includes more than forty of the most diverse species with their own characteristics and distinctive features.

The flowers of a typical plant belonging to the genus Gemantus are painted in a rich bright shade, and from the Greek language Gemantus is translated as “bloody flower”. The most popular among modern gardeners and florists is the white-flowered type of hemantus, which in everyday life is called "deer tongue", and you can also find such a name as "elephant's ear". But in this article we will dwell in more detail on the description of this plant in terms of its botanical and breeding traits and characteristics, and all the information that will be presented in this article is the result of analyzing reviews about the hemantus, studying the facts about this flower, its characteristic features and features.

Gemantus: flower description

Gemantus: photo of a flower

Hemantus bloom begins in July and lasts until about mid (sometimes until the end) of August. You can grow this plant or in a slightly shaded area, but you can also grow Hemantus in diffused light. It is not recommended that the plant be in an open area in direct sunlight, but absolute shade can lead to the plant simply losing its decorative properties and qualities. So it is worth finding a middle ground and placing the Hemantus indoor flower in such a way that it is not completely in the shade, but also not damaged due to direct sunlight, which can cause severe burns to the culture, its leafy part and buds.

The temperature regime must also be observed - it should vary from 18 to 22 degrees. Given that the plant as a whole is thermophilic, sometimes slight increases in temperature are only beneficial to it. But it should not be allowed that the culture is in a too cold room or grows in a cold area, as this will lead to the fact that the hemantus will grow very slowly, and its decorative effect will disappear. Usually, hemanthus grows in containers and pots, the soil (substrate) in them must be moistened throughout the entire growing season. It is worth watering every time the top layer dries out slightly, but the soil must not completely dry out, since this can have a rather negative effect on the general condition of the plant and on the development of its root system. When the flower is at rest, it is best not to water it at all, and it is also not recommended to apply top dressing and fertilizers, since at this time the plant should completely rest and gain strength before the new growing season.

As a rule, Gemantus grows well in absolutely any conditions when it comes to air humidity. So on the organization of this moment, the gardener as a whole can save a sufficient amount of time. Top dressing is a guarantee that the plant will feel strong, and in general, especially comfortable. Usually, during the entire growing season, it is recommended to apply fertilizers once every 2-3 weeks, not more often.But, again, it is necessary to focus on the general condition of the plant, at what age it is, what tendencies in growth and development it demonstrates. For feeding the hemantus, usually mineral complex mixtures are used, which are intended for bulbous plants. During the period when the plant is dormant, there is absolutely no need to make additional fertilizing, since the plant is resting, and you should not bother it with such things.

Let's talk a little about Gemantus transplantation. The bush does not generally respond very well to such an intervention, so the transplant should be carried out as rarely as possible, and then in extreme cases. But still, about once every 4-5 years, a planned transplant should be carried out. It is prescribed for the last days of February or at the very beginning of March, so that the plant has time to adapt and take root in new conditions. If the hemantus is transplanted from one container to another, then it is worth doing this also at the same time, the subsequent container should be larger in size than the previous one, since the root system is quite actively developing, and therefore it is worth paying attention to this. Hemantus propagate by daughter small bulbs, and you can also use methods such as cuttings or seeds. In any case, only the florist himself chooses the method, based on his needs and capabilities. Diseases of the plant are practically not threatened, but the most common ones are root rot or staganosporosis. They usually develop due to the fact that the grower does not comply with the requirements for caring for the plant, and in general, he may sometimes not pay attention to the bush, which is why he begins to suffer so much from diseases.

The insects that attack hemantus are scale insects and spider mites, but you can get rid of them with the help of special products or a soap solution. It is also worth saying that constant inspection of plants and preventive measures is exactly what a plant needs in order to maintain its health and normal life. As a rule, all this depends solely on the capabilities of the gardener himself, which is why he takes on such a considerable responsibility. It is worth mentioning that the hemantus bulbs have some peculiarity - they contain poison, therefore, when working with this culture, you should be careful, use gloves and a face mask.

Unlike many other members of its family, Hemantus is one of the few plants that is considered evergreen, which is why it is so popular among florists, gardeners and landscape designers. Hemantus grows throughout the year, while even with the onset of frost, it does not lose its features at all, which, of course, goes into the treasury of the advantages of this culture. In other species of hemantus (except for white-flowered), the dormancy stage begins in winter, and in it the plant gains energy and strength in order to further demonstrate some tendencies of growth, development, flowering and, of course, its own decorative effect.

The bulbs of a plant can be of various shapes - there are round, ovoid bulbs, pear-shaped. Sometimes you can find hemantuses that are slightly flattened, especially if you look at the bulb on the sides. All these indicators depend solely on the type of plant, on its shape. The bulbs are large in diameter, can reach ten centimeters or more. A rather small number of belt-shaped leaf blades appears on the bush. Their color turns out to be saturated, green, and the ends are rounded. The height of the peduncles and leaves reaches twenty centimeters, and at the same time they look very powerful and attractive.On each hemantus bulb, about three pairs of leaf plates can form, only one pair is formed in one season, then they continue to form further, all this looks very decorative and it seems that the plant is really evergreen (although in the characteristics of the hemantus it just belongs to evergreen crops).

The surface of the hemantus leaf itself is very smooth, it may feel slightly sticky. The inflorescences are collected in the form of umbrellas. They are surrounded by four juicy bracts. In this case, usually the bracts are painted exactly the same color in which the stamens of the plant are painted. Sometimes it can be orange, white or bright red - it all looks great and very decorative. Flowering stops around late autumn, so you can enjoy the beauty and attractiveness of this plant for a long time. After the hemantus secretes nectar and pollen, it develops a scent, but growers note that it is completely unpleasant, it may even be repulsive. The flowers are self-pollinated, from which ovaries arise, which look like reddish-white berries. They can lose their germination quickly enough, so the grower should find the perfect moment in order to get excellent plant seeds, which will then allow him to freely propagate the hemantus in various areas or right at home. In general, these are all the characteristics of a given plant. Next, we will consider some of the features of caring for hemantus and tell you how you can propagate it.

Gemantus: home care

Indoor hemantus: flower photo

Gemantus differs from many other plants from a similar family precisely in that it is completely unpretentious and not demanding when it comes to care. That is why it is so easy for gardeners and florists to care for hemantus at home, and even that florist who does not have much experience in this matter can cope with this. Those flower growers who have already grown hemantus say that, in general, the plant needs exactly the same care that is usually provided to succulent plants, which means, in general, you should not constantly pore over the plant in order to get the desired decorative effect.

The Gemantus flower grows completely normally and develops at temperatures that range from 18 to 22 degrees. In general, it does not enter a dormant period, does not fall asleep, and therefore the plant should not be moved somewhere with the onset of winter. But there are some deciduous varieties and types of hemantus that are best moved indoors for the winter, the temperature in the room or room should be from 10 to 12 degrees, no more and no less. In the summer, the bush should be in the fresh air, but should not fall under strong gusts of wind or be located in drafts, as this can have a too negative effect on its general condition and, of course, on its special decorative properties.

Illumination is the second aspect that we will touch on in this article: it is recommended to plant the plant in a little shade, and a well-sunlit area is also perfect. Both there and there the plant will demonstrate excellent results of its growth. A window sill located to the east, west or northeast is perfect, since the hemantus will be well lit there, and at the same time it will be safe, since it will not fall under dangerous direct sunlight that provokes burns sheet plate. For cultivation, you can also choose a southern location, but if the grower decided to do this, then at noon every day he will have to cover the plant to protect it from the scorching rays of the sun.Shading as a whole should not be delayed, otherwise it will lead to the fact that it will lose its decorative features and characteristics.

Watering Gemantus is also an important aspect in plant care. Typically, the soil needs to be moistened every time the surface of the substrate dries up. It is also worth monitoring that a large amount of moisture does not stagnate in the root system, otherwise this will lead to the development of diseases, fungi and rot. From about the beginning of the late autumn period, it is recommended to gradually reduce the amount of watering, since during the dormant period the plant should not receive any moisture, and by this time it should be prepared. Before dormancy, in no case should you abruptly stop watering, as this can lead to the plant being simply shocked, and this will have a negative effect on the decorative and other characteristics of the hemantus. In order to water the crop, it is best to use melt water or rainwater. If its collection is difficult, then there is an alternative - settled warm water, which can also be filtered. The water should not be too cold - it is enough to achieve its room temperature, since the plant perfectly perceives just such a temperature regime, and then it feels great. There is also a moment with air humidity - experienced gardeners and breeders say that the plant is not too demanding when it comes to high air humidity. It is possible to systematically moisten the green part by spraying, but in general, this procedure is not absolute and mandatory. To keep the leaf area clean, it is worth removing dust from time to time with a damp sponge or cotton cloth. At the same time, it should only be moistened, it is not recommended to wet the leaves too much, since this does not always have a positive effect.

Organic matter should never be taken to feed the hemantus, since the plant reacts extremely negatively to organic additives, it can start to hurt for a long time. It is best to take pre-purchased mineral fertilizers, in which the main components are potassium and phosphorus. You can also take supplements in specialized stores, which are originally intended for fertilizing bulbous plants - however, here you should be careful about the concentrations and dosages, as they can vary. Hemantus is fertilized from the very beginning of its vegetative state, usually one top dressing is done every 3 weeks. During dormancy, the plant should not be fertilized and fed, since in general at this time it does not tolerate absolutely any interference from the grower. Peace should be peace in the truest sense of the word.

When the plant has become an adult, it is very rarely transplanted. This usually happens once every 4-5 years, and then if there is any special need for it. During transplantation, babies are neatly separated from the mother's bulb, and the transplant is best done either in February or in March, no later than. Experienced gardeners explain this precisely by the fact that at this time the plant enters the very first stages of its growing season, and therefore the bush has more chances to take root in the very near future. Gemantus grows well in a low and wide enough pot. It is carefully filled with pre-prepared soil, which is a mixture of sod and leafy soil and humus. It is also worth adding a little sand, all this is mixed very thoroughly. Also, a drainage layer is installed at the bottom of the pot, since thanks to drainage, the plant can be fenced off from too strong wet stagnation, which means that the root system will be relatively safe. The flower should not be buried too deep - he does not like this at all.You can plant several bulbs in one pot at once, and thanks to this, the grower will receive a very lush and abundant flowering, the bush will be especially strong, so this practice is also welcomed among gardeners.

Reproduction of Gemantus at home

• The first way is reproduction with the help of children. To do this, you can use the children themselves, seeds or leaf cuttings - the choice of the method entirely depends on the desire of the grower and his skills, the ability to purchase or create one or another planting material. While the florist transplants the bush from one place to another, he can separate the babies from the mother's bulb. They are planted in the future as independent flowers. You can choose a separate pot for each child, or you can place several children in a common pot at once. It is also worth paying attention to one point: only those children are planted that have their own roots and foliage, since they have much more chances to take root as quickly as possible and show excellent results in growth and development. The peculiarity of children is that they can quickly take root in a new area. The first flowering in bushes that were planted by children begins about the third or fourth year after planting in the ground.
• Reproduction of hemantus leaf cut - this method is recognized by some gardeners as difficult, but if there is a desire, it is quite possible to grow a full-fledged and healthy bush from a leaf cuttings. The lowest leaf plate should be cut off from an adult bush, the base should be very fleshy and strong. It is recommended to sprinkle the place of the cut with charcoal, since if you do not protect it in time, then pathogenic bacteria and spores can develop and multiply in the cut. The stalk is left in the open air for a day to ventilate and dry out a little. After that, a mixture is prepared, which consists of peat and sand, since it is considered the most suitable for growing a plant. Then the cutting is left in a warm place, you can periodically water the plant, do it in moderation, since moisture stagnation can lead to the development of diseases. When the stalk has gained strength and rooted, then it should be transplanted directly into a pot that is filled with an earthen mixture. Usually, the soil mixture in this case is already intended for an adult bush. Flowering occurs about the third or fourth year after the bush has been planted in the ground or pot. Sometimes growers say that it takes a little longer to wait, but even this wait is worth it.
• Seed method reproduction of hemantus - with the help of seeds, hemantus is grown very rarely, since in general the seeds can maintain high germination for a very short time. But nevertheless, if the grower managed to collect planting materials in time, then he should evenly scatter the seeds on the very surface of the prepared and well-moistened soil in advance. There is one condition - after the seeds have been distributed, it is completely unnecessary to sprinkle them with soil on top. Then the container with the seeds is covered with plastic or glass, from time to time the materials are raised so that the plantings are aired. If the florist has done everything correctly and complies with agrotechnical requirements, then very soon the very first shoots will hatch on the surface. Flowering will come much later - five or six years after planting. But experience shows that it is worth it, because the flowering and general characteristics of the hemantus are decorative and attractive, so this time will be fully and completely justified.

Diseases and pests

Indoor hemantus: flower photo

Gemantus is a culture and a special genus, which differs in that it is quite resistant when it comes to diseases.But if the grower does not comply with agrotechnical requirements and does not properly care for the plant, then it can easily get sick. For example, plants can be infected with spores of fungal bacteria, and rot can occur on the bulbs. All this is due precisely to the fact that the gardener provides irrigation to the plant without measure, and it seems to be drowning in moisture, which in some periods may not need at all. So watering should be done according to the schedule.

In rare cases, the plant is affected by a disease such as staganosporosis. In other words, this disease is also called red rot or red burn. The disease mainly affects the hippeastrum and amaryllis, but the hemantus can also sometimes suffer from it. The main signs that the plant has this particular disease is the appearance of pronounced red or orange spots or stripes on the leaf plates. All affected parts of the plant should be immediately cut off, and then the hemantus is sprayed with special agents that are designed to stop this disease. Among the funds, copper oxychloride, Bordeaux liquid or copper sulfate are excellently distinguished. That is, in this case, ideally, use products with a high copper content. They are also great for fighting certain fungal diseases. If you follow the instructions for using these funds, then the effect can be seen very soon.

It is recommended to rearrange the bush for a while in a place that will let in a sufficient amount of light, but at the same time direct sunlight will not reach the bush. Watering - the substrate should be moistened so that a large amount of liquid does not stagnate in the soil. In general, such basic caring procedures are just the secret of success in growing this crop.

Some growers may also complain that the hemantus plant does not bloom at all. Usually, the lack of flowering can be due to the fact that during the growing season the plant did not receive enough moisture, and the gardener was also unable to create ideal and comfortable conditions for inflorescences to set on the bush and the result was as decorative as possible. When the bush is at rest, then during rest it should be rearranged in a cool place, which should be well lit. It is possible at this time not to water or feed the bush, because due to unnecessary interventions, irreparable damage can happen, and the bush will not grow and function properly.

Insects can also cause some damage to plants. Most often, these are either scale insects or spider mites, which especially like to feast on the leafy part on hot days. If scale insects have settled on a flower, then they can reliably hide in the leaf sinuses, and the gardener cannot always notice them in time. It is worth moistening a cotton pad with alcohol or soapy water, and wipe the places where the pest is located. The pest itself is also removed by the same disk - it is quite large and can be seen with the naked eye. Further, the plant can be treated with specialized means - the leader among them is Karbofos. There are drugs with approximately identical action, they are also suitable for processing, the main thing is to carefully follow the instructions.

Spider mites can also spread on bushes, and if this happens ,. Then you can not notice them immediately. Small and pale dots appear on the leaves, and they can also be shrouded in a very thin web, which is also a sign of the dispersal of a spider mite. If the pests have multiplied in large numbers, then large dark spots appear on the leaf plates, which just indicate that something is wrong with the plant, and that it needs help and protection.In order to destroy ticks and prevent their occurrence, it is worth using acaricides. For example, ideally, it is better to purchase Aktara or Fitoverm, as well as Actellic, since they are considered reliable, proven and practically safe drugs (of course, only if you follow the instructions for using these substances).

Hemantus varieties

It is worth talking about the types and varieties of hemantus, which are especially popular with flower growers. Among them are such as scarlet and white-flowered hemantus. But nevertheless, there are sometimes situations in which hemantus are called by other names, and at the same time they can all represent one kindred family. Plants are perfectly mastered at home, do not require any special care, although, of course, you should pay attention to the many subtleties and points that different types of hemantus possess.

White-flowered hemantus - in fact, the plant to which we have dedicated this article. It is evergreen and has a high level of decorativeness. In particular, the plant is famous for its attractive leaf plates - they are very smooth and thick, wide, have the shape of a tongue. They are about 20 centimeters long and are deep dark green in color. The flower growers are also quite powerful, they can stretch up to 25 centimeters in height, spherical inflorescences in the form of umbrellas are formed at the tops, which are painted in a snow-white shade. At the same time, at the very tips there are anthers of a golden hue - also incredibly attractive. Of all the varieties of white hemantus, the most popular is the Prince Albert variety. He usually produces very large, bright orange inflorescences that stand out from many other flower plantings and crops.

Indoor White-flowered hemantus: flower photo

Gemantus scarlet - its leaf blades have tops painted in a red tint, the height of such a plant is up to half a meter in the most favorable conditions. The peduncles are spotty, the inflorescences are bright and very spectacular, they have anthers of a beautiful yellow hue, which are very contrasting, but at the same time they look quite harmonious. The petals of the perianth are rather large. If this variety grows indoors, at home, then flowering may not be annual. Inflorescences are mainly formed in the fall, and they fade just as quickly, so the grower may not even have time to enjoy the external characteristics of his own planting.

Indoor scarlet hemantus: flower photo

Gemantus Linden - the bush has long petioles, the leaf plates have exactly the same long-petiolate shape, the leaves are arranged in two rows, so the plant looks quite powerful. The height of the peduncle is about 50 centimeters, in diameter, the inflorescences can reach twenty centimeters, therefore, in general, the entire hemantus looks very powerful and solid, so you should take care to choose the same stately neighborhood for it. Umbrellas-inflorescences have a rich red hue, in diameter - no more than five centimeters, but due to their dense arrangement, they look extremely attractive.

Indoor hemantus Linden: photo of a flower

We list a few more varieties of hemantus:

• white hemantus
• tiger hemantus
• pomegranate hemantus
• multifloral hemantus
• Hemantus Katarina.

All of them differ from each other exclusively in external characteristics. In general, all plants from this family are unpretentious, not capricious at all, and need the most basic possibilities of caring for them. In gratitude, full and very decorative plantings are obtained, which can be planted both in compositions and one at a time.

Indoor Gemantus: home care video