Description
Special Features of Euсomis
Eucomis is a genus of bulbous plants in the hyacinthine family Hyacinthaceae. Although these plants are native to South Africa, they do well in our gardens, and some species have been grown as houseplants.
The name fully reflects the essence of this unique plant. It combines the Greek words "eu" and "kome" meaning "pleasing hair of the head."
Euсomis has a powerful root system. The bulbs are large and oval. The leaves are oblong, flat, collected in the basal rosette and frequently featuring purple spots. The stalk ranging from 20 centimetres to one metre is crowned with a characteristic bunch of bracts at the top, resembling a tuft. The flowers are star-shaped, collected in cylindrical racemes. The racemes resemble the pineapple, which is why this plant is commonly referred to as a Pineapple Flower or a Pineapple Lily. The flowers are mostly white, beige, slightly greenish, pink, or brownish. The fruit is a trilocular capsule with oval dark brown or black seeds.
Eucomis looks great in a variety of plantings, both solitary and in group, and its companion plants are Heuchera, Alyssum, and Lobelia. In northern regions, Eucomis is increasingly used as a container plant decorating balconies, verandas, and windows. It is often used for cutting. Recently, low-growing varieties for indoor cultivation are becoming widespread.
Genus Eucomis comprises 14 highly ornamental species with a long flowering period from May to August. Currently, the following species are cultivated in Europe:
Eucomis punctata is 35-65 centimetres tall, with flat, linear leaves with brown spots on the underside and green flowers.
Eucomis purpureicaulis has spatulate leaves and purple red bracts with a green trim.
Eucomis undulata is characterized by strap-like wavy leaves with no spots.
Eucomis autumnalis grows up to 30 centimetres tall and has white or beige flowers. It is characterized by late flowering and frost-hardiness.
Eucomis bicolour reaches a height of 1.5 m and has greenish purple-margined flowers.
Eucomis comosa is up to 85 centimetres tall, with greenish white or pink flowers.
The Secrets to Successfully Growing Euсomis
Though Eucomis, being an exotic plant, is not fully adapted to our climate, it is not very fussy to grow.
Basic care for Eucomis only includes keeping it well watered (without waterlogging) and fertilized 2-3 times per season. Remember that the plant does not tolerate nitrogen fertilizer. When the leaves turn yellow, stop watering until spring as the plant goes dormant.
In the southern regions, Eucomis can be grown as a perennial plant and winter covered with spruce branches or dry leaves. In the northern regions, lift the dormant bulbs in late September and store in a paper bag at about 5-10 ° C in a dry ventilated area or in a container with soil at a room temperature. In May, after the threat of frosts has passed, plant the bulbs out in the open ground in the sunny area and admire the beauty of Euсomis throughout the summer. Do not plant the bulbs deep; their tops should be at the soil line. First, keep on the dry side; later, as the plant grows, increase watering and apply mineral fertilizer once every 2 weeks. Eucomis prefers a humus-rich well-drained soil with added sand.
Eucomis is often grown as a container culture. You can pot the bulbs in March-April and place the potted young plants in the garden in a sunny spot for the summer. If the soil is warm and there is no high humidity or gusty winds, Eucomis can be replanted in the open ground. Avoid damaging the root system while replanting. Space the plants at about 15 centimetres.
If you like this exotic plant and want to propagate it, it can be done by offsets. Unfortunately, they are not numerous and often difficult to separate from the parent bulb. Alternatively, Eucomis can be propagated from seed. Sow the seeds in containers immediately after harvesting. Germination will take 4-6 weeks. When the seedlings develop a few leaves, prick and plant in the open ground in the summer. However, remember that when propagated from seed, the flowers colouring can be quite different, and the plants will only bloom on the third year.
Potential Problems
Like other bulbous plants, Eucomis is prone to bulb rot. To avoid it, properly store the planting material and keep the soil moist but not soggy in the spring and summer.
Eucomis can get spider mites, aphids, and mealybugs. Apply special insecticides to control pests.
