Amazonian lily, or Eucharis is a beautiful flower for keeping in the house. It is unpretentious and has a pleasant appearance, for which flower growers love it. Of course, in Russia this plant is not so common, but interest in unusual lilies is growing from year to year.
Amazon lily - what kind of flower
Amazonian lily belongs to the Amaryllis class and is a bulbous plant. In Europe, this flower appeared not so long ago - in the middle of the 19th century. South and Central America is considered its homeland, but most often the plant is found near the Amazon River, from which it received the name. The second name, Eucharis, is translated from Greek as "graceful", which fully corresponds to the appearance of the flower.
Amazonian Lily
The eucharis flower has large leaves of a dark green color, their shape is oval. The tip of the leaves is pointed, and they themselves can be up to 15 centimeters wide and up to 30 cm long.
For reference! The flowers of the Amazonian lily are similar to the flowers of a daffodil - white and large, and in one peduncle there can be up to 6 buds.
Varieties of Amazonian Lilies
Eucharis has many varieties, but it is difficult for scientists to classify them, since the flower is often pollinated. However, some species are more likely to be found in domestic breeding than others. Their names and some characteristics are presented below.
Amazon lily looks like a daffodil
Eucharis is large-flowered
One of the most common types of Amazonian lilies for home maintenance.
It blooms in late spring, summer and winter. Flowers are opened alternately, which makes the flowering process smooth and harmonious. It has paired leaves, their length can reach up to 40 centimeters, therefore this species is called large-flowered.
This plant needs a lot of space in the house, but it still remains unpretentious in care.
Eucharis White
This is a mountain variety of Amazonian lily. The birthplace of the flower is Colombia, or rather its mountainous territories.
Flowers are smaller than those of large-flowered ones, but in the inflorescence there are more of them - up to 10.
For reference! The peculiarity of this species is that in the flowers the petals are directed upwards. It blooms in autumn and March.
Eucharis Masters
This species also originates from Colombia. Outwardly, it is not very different from white eucharis - the leaves are green and rounded, the flowers are small, white, grow in the form of umbrellas.
Usually two inflorescences bloom at once. The petals of the flowers are rounded and taper to the base. It blooms all spring - from March to May.
Eucharis Sandera
The birthplace of this species is South America. It is considered the second most popular species of Amazonian lily.
When flowering, 2-3 flowers are opened, which are located on small tubes. Because of this, the flower looks wilted. It can also be multi-flowered, then 5-6 small flowers are revealed immediately in the inflorescence. Its appearance is most reminiscent of a lily.
For reference! It blooms from February to mid-spring and early autumn.
Eucharis gearless
Comes from Colombia, like Eucharis Masters. A distinctive feature of this species are leaves of a triangular shape. Their length does not exceed 20 centimeters, and a width of 10. Flowers in the inflorescence are usually 7-10 pieces, they open in the form of umbrellas. This eucharis blooms in mid-spring.
The most unpretentious in the care are the species of Sander and large-flowered, it is on them that the choice of flower growers from around the world falls.
Eucharis - home care
Since the Amazonian lily is an unpretentious plant, even a novice in this business can take care of it. That is why eucharis is often recommended to beginners in flower care. In this case, the cultivation of the plant causes some interest, which attracts even experienced owners.
Illumination and temperature
Any lighting is suitable for a room flower, but it is better to protect it from direct sunlight, otherwise the plant may get burned.
Amazon lily will feel good on the windowsill
The optimum temperature for flowering is a thermometer at +18 ... +20 degrees. In this temperature regime, Amazonian lily will feel best. In winter, the temperature can be slightly reduced - + 16 ... +18 degrees will be enough for the proper development of the plant.
Important!Be sure to ensure that drafts do not get on the flower. It is also important to consider that with a sharp temperature drop the plant will begin to feel uncomfortable and may slow down in growth and development.
Watering rules and humidity
The plant must be watered a couple of times a week. In this case, you must always monitor the condition of the substrate - you must not allow drainage, but between waterings it must have time to dry out. Also, stagnation of the liquid should not be allowed, otherwise the plant will rot. A layer of drainage in the pot is done at least 7-10 centimeters.
Eucharis prefers medium or high humidity, but it is not worth raising it specifically. It is best to spray it several times a week with room temperature water from a spray bottle.
When the flower begins to form peduncles, spraying must be stopped before the end of flowering - water should not fall on the flowers and buds.
Top dressing and soil quality
Top dressing is an important part in caring for eucharis. It is necessary to feed a flower only during the period of active growth. For this, any mineral fertilizer for bulb plants is suitable. It is important to pay attention to the nitrogen content in fertilizers - it should be as small as possible.
Attention! Often you do not need to feed the plant - once every two weeks will be enough.
The soil should be fertile and loose. The easiest way is to find the right soil in the store - you should pay attention to the note "for the Amaryllis family." To make the soil yourself, you need a mixture of peat, sand and humus in equal proportions.
Flower Tank Size
In order to grow and develop properly, eucharis needs a fairly tight pot. For one plant, you will need a pot with a diameter of about 15 centimeters and a height of at least 15 cm. The pot must be strong and stable so that it can withstand the heaviness of the leaves of the plant.
Pruning and transplanting
The Amazonian lily is that flower which does not love when disturbed. That is why it is not recommended to transplant or prune the flower more than once every two to three years.
Attention! It is only necessary to transplant the flower if it has filled the entire pot and it does not have enough space.
If the time has already come, you need to do this only during the rest period. It is necessary to disassemble the transplant process step by step:
- Remove the eucharis from the old pot.
- To clear the top root layer of the earth.
- Lay out the drain on the bottom of the tank.
- Pour soil into a new pot with a layer of 10 cm over the drainage.
- Place eucharis in the soil so that the root system straightens and fills in all the gaps.
- Cover the plant with earth.
- Pour water at room temperature.
The process of transplanting eucharis is quite simple - with due care and accuracy there will not be any problems.
Features of flowering plants
Amazonian lily has its own characteristics in flowering. The most important of them is the rest period.
Period of activity and rest
The activity period of this plant usually begins in spring or autumn, but there are exceptions. At this time, the plant blooms and pleases with its pleasant appearance and aroma.
Eucharis at rest
Amazon lily can bloom once or twice a year. The flowers open alternately and are in this state for about a week, and the whole inflorescence is for three weeks, so it is very exciting to observe how eucharis blooms.
Additional Information!With careful care, eucharis can bloom even three times a year. Experienced growers achieve this with the right care.
After flowering ends, a dormant period begins. At this time, you will need to lower the temperature in the room to 15 degrees, do not feed the plant and water less than usual. Also, during the dormant period, the Amazonian lily should not be transplanted. Stop this period when new leaves become visible in the soil.
Types and shape of flowers
All flowers of the Amazonian lily are similar - they have a green core, are white themselves, resemble a daffodil or lily. Inflorescences can collect up to ten buds.
It is also important to highlight that all inflorescences in eucharis are umbrella. The color may be darker or lighter, it depends on the type of flower.
Methods of propagation of Amazonian lilies
Eucharis is able to reproduce in only two ways: seed and with the help of children.
Seed propagation
This method is rarely used, since eucharis bulbs grown from seeds will bloom only five years after planting.
To get a box of seeds, you need to artificially pollinate the flowers. To do this, use a brush to draw on the pestle and stamens. You can cut the box only when it begins to dry.
Seeds should be planted in a container with a lid and a moist substrate. After about three weeks, the first shoots will appear.
Reproduction of eucharis by children
This is the most common way to propagate this flower. It is quite simple, but it is worth paying attention to the fact that the juice of this plant is poisonous, so you need to be careful.
Children appear in those bulbs that are at least 4 years old. It is necessary to pull the bush from the pot and separate the bulbs. Next, you need to separate the children from the mother's bulb and transplant them into a separate container. The mother plant must be transplanted into a new pot and replaced with soil.
Growing problems, diseases and pests
Pests do not often affect this plant. You can protect the Amazonian lily with proper care.
Eucharis - a sick look
Of the diseases, gray rot is often found - the cause of this is increased humidity. If this happens, it is necessary to reduce the watering of the plant and carefully monitor its condition.
Attention! Affected areas must be excised.
Also, the leaves may turn yellow, and many wonder why this happens. The cause is often parasites - it is necessary to carefully examine the plant, find pests, treat the aerial part with insecticides.
Eucharis will be a good choice for beginners in gardening and flower growing. It has an attractive appearance, and caring for it is not difficult. Today it is difficult to surprise other people with indoor plants, but blooming Amazonian lily will certainly attract attention.
