Sprekelia refers to the brightest representatives of the fauna brought to us from other countries. Her bright and unusual flowers attract the eye and look equally beautiful in the garden and on the windowsill.
Plant description
This bright flower belongs to the Amaryllis family. There are 2 types of this flower: Sprekelia is the most beautiful and magnificent. In nature, the plant can be found in the mountainous regions of Mexico and Guatemala. The Spanish sailors brought Europe sparkel in 1593. It also has several popular names: “Aztec lily”, “Templar lily”, “Indian daffodil”. The plant belongs to the bulbous. A bulb with a diameter of 5 cm is covered with flakes of a reddish hue. The leaves are long and narrow, up to 40 cm long and about 5 cm wide. It often happens that they appear after the formation of the peduncle.
The color of the leaves can be from green to gray. The peduncle itself is tall, up to 50 cm, and empty inside. At the end there is a red flower with 6 petals, 3 of which are twisted down, and 3 look up. Externally, the flowers resemble orchids, and also exude a pleasant vanilla aroma. From the moment the peduncle appears to open the flower, 20 days pass. The plant blooms in the period from April to June, however, flowering itself can be observed only a few days - after 5-6 days there will be no trace of beauty.
Important! Almost all amaryllis are poisonous. The alkaloids contained in them can cause poisoning. Sometimes contact with the juice of the plant leads to irritation of the skin or mucous membranes.
Growing conditions
To achieve the flowering of the Indian daffodil, you need to properly care for it. Although this flower is not as finicky as it might seem at first glance.
Location
In the apartment for spreckelia, a southern, southwest or eastern window sill is chosen. If possible, you can plant a flower on a flower bed, in the sunniest place; however, this is only for the period of flowering and growth. From November to March, the plant has a dormant period in which the bulb must be put in dry peat and kept in a dark place at + 15 ° C.
Did you know? The Aztecs adorned sprekelia flowers with hair and clothing during the holidays.
Temperature and lighting
This plant loves warmth and sun. He needs a minimum of 4 hours of sunlight per day. During the growth period, the optimum temperature for the flower is up to + 27 ° C.
Air humidity
Sprekelia is undemanding to indicators of air humidity and does not need additional humidification. Sometimes you can spray moisture around it just to bring down the dust.
Mix for flower
The Templar lily to the earth is also undemanding, the main thing is that the mixture is nutritious. Suitable soil can be prepared without difficulty by typing on a plot of sod land, sand, peat and compost and mixing them in equal parts. Such a mixture will allow air and water to pass through well and provide enough nutrients to the flower.
Sprekelia care at home
Caring for a plant is not at all difficult, especially since care is only needed for half a year, when the flower does not rest.
Important! You can extend the flowering period of Sprekelia if you place it in a cool room.
Watering rates
After planting the bulb at the end of winter, it is not watered at first. When the arrow appears, you need to start pouring the sprout with warm water so as not to get on the bulb. It’s better to do it in the pan It is important to ensure that the earthen lump is completely saturated with water. Sprekelia is watered regularly until the fall, then gradually reduce the amount of watering. From the end of October, the plant is not wetted.
Top dressing
To feed Sprekelia to water during irrigation, you should add mineral fertilizers for flowering plants, for example, Kemira, Master. During the growth period, 3 dressings are carried out: when the arrow begins to grow, during the formation of buds and during flowering.
Pruning
When the flowers fade, the peduncle does not need to be touched for the first 2 weeks to give the bulb full strength. Then they cut it off. The leaves themselves gradually fade in the fall, and they can easily be torn from the bulb.
Dormant flower care
The rest of this plant lasts 6 months, and at this time the flower does not need special care. If the bulb hibernates in a flowerpot, then it should be hidden in a dark, cool place. If the bulbs were dug from the ground and winter in peat, then from time to time it is necessary to check whether everything is in order with them, whether there are pests or traces of decay. 
Transplant and landing after a period of rest
Sprechelia can not be transplanted for 3 years. A new pot for transplantation should be selected 3 cm wider than the previous one. The whole procedure is carried out at the end of winter. In the process of transplanting to the bottom of the tank you need to pour drainage, then a couple of centimeters of sand, then a little earthen mixture. On it to establish a bulb, which to fill up around the earth. First, you need to separate the children from the bulb. When planting, it is necessary to ensure that the neck and top of the bulb are above the ground.
Did you know? In nature, Sprekelia flowers can be pollinated by small birds.
Flower propagation methods
There are 2 ways to propagate this beautiful flower:
- The seeds which are formed after flowering in a seed box. They need to be sown in boxes, covered, periodically moisten the ground and wait for seedlings. True, with this method, the first flowering can be seen no earlier than after 3 years.
- Daughter bulbs, which were separated during transplantation. They are planted first in a common box, and then, when they grow up, they are planted in separate pots. You can also drop them immediately in the spring on the site.
Possible growing difficulties
When grown outdoors, sprekelia can infect pests such as scabies and spider mites. They should be destroyed with insecticides, such as Actellica. Also, with excessive watering, rotting of the bulb may occur. In this case, the flower will have to be thrown away. If the plant does not bloom for several years in a row, this indicates that you need to change the ground and the location of the pot.
So, if you like unusual and exotic flowers, then Sprekelia is the plant for you. And although it pleases the eye with its flowering for long, bright and fragrant flowers will leave pleasant memories for several months.
