How to care for exquisite eucharis?

Plants from the amaryllis family occupy a special place in the hearts of indoor garden owners: their touchingly delicate and fragrant flowers fascinate at first sight. You can endlessly admire the blossoming eucharis buds, and caring for it is not difficult. The amazing beauty of the plant is reflected in its name. This is how the epithets "graceful" and "full of grace" sound in ancient Greek.

Popular types

The genus eucharis is small, it is represented by only 20 species. All of them are typical of the flora of the humid and shady tropical forests of Central and South America. Especially abundantly wild eucharises cover the eastern slopes of the Andes and the humus-rich lands of the Amazonian lowland. For its strong attachment to this area, the plant was popularly nicknamed the Amazonian lily. It conquered European florists in the 19th century, quickly gaining recognition and gaining popularity, which it still does not lose.

All types of eucharis boast large glossy leaves, reaching a length of 35 cm. Usually there are not many of them - from 2 to 4. The leaves are located on long petioles, they are dark green, and their edges are slightly curled inward. The shape of eucharis flowers resembles daffodils. They are large (from 5 to 12 cm in diameter), snow-white, like porcelain, some varieties have an icy bluish tide. In the center of the inflorescence, which consists of 6 petals, there is a crown formed by stamens. At home, the plant can delight with buds twice or even three times a year. They are crowned with long peduncles, which eucharis produces up to 2. There are usually 3-6 buds on them. The plant blooms for a long time - up to 1 month.

The following types of eucharis are suitable for the home.

• Large-flowered. Known in the scientific literature as Eucharis grandiflora. It blooms in late spring, August and winter months. The diameter of the bulbs is 3-6 cm. The large-flowered type of eucharis has wide lanceolate leaves and long (60-80 cm) peduncles. When opened, its buds are huge - their diameter reaches 12 cm. The flower came to culture from Colombia.
• Toothed (Eucharis subedentata). Differs in oval bulbs. The leaves of the plant are of medium size: they reach 23 cm in length and 11 cm in width. They have the shape of an oblong triangle and sit on grooved petioles. The flowering stem is narrow, from 6 to 8 buds are formed on it.
• White (Eucharis candida). Also known as snow white. Its bulbs are large (up to 5 cm in diameter), ovoid. The length of the leaves reaches 40 cm, their average width is 15 cm. They look like a wide ellipse, they are narrowed at the base, and pointed towards the top. The peduncle is colored brownish green. It has 6-10 buds with petals slightly bent upwards. They bloom at home in March.
• Masters (Eucharis mastersii). Its bulbs are almost indistinguishable from white eucharis in appearance. The leaves outwardly resemble a wide oval, rounded at the base. They are up to 25 cm long and up to 15 cm wide. The petioles are shorter than those of other eucharis species. The flowering arrow has a circular cross section. Usually there are 2 umbrellas with buds on it. The plant releases them in early spring.

Large-flowered eucharis is in greatest demand among owners of indoor gardens. The culture is also grown on an industrial scale. Most often, eucharis Sandera is supplied to stores. It has 2 forms - regular and multi-flowered. The first has a rounded arrow topped with an umbrella of 2-3 buds, the second has more - 4-6, but they are smaller. The middle of the flowers is yellowish.They bloom from February to April, depending on the conditions in which the plant is kept.

Lighting and temperature

The unpretentious eucharis is a godsend for those flower growers whose windows face north. The plant loves light, but even in the shade it feels comfortable; such an arrangement does not threaten it with a loss of decorativeness and deterioration of health. The flower will be provided with the optimal amount of sunlight on the windowsills oriented to the east or west. On the southern side of the house, it will have to be shaded from the midday heat, otherwise the leaves of the eucharis will be covered with burns. Such materials will effectively cope with this task:

• gauze;
• tracing paper;
• floristic film;
• roller blinds;
• thin mesh that attaches to the glass.

The flower will benefit from the "summer holidays" in the fresh air. If the pot with it is placed on a balcony, veranda or garden, it is important to protect the plant from precipitation and bright sun. When keeping eucharis on the street, you will have to constantly monitor the weather forecast. Due to its tropical origin, the plant is quickly supercooled, therefore, at the slightest hint of a prolonged cold snap, it is brought into a warm room or covered with a film, constructing a kind of greenhouse.

For full development, eucharis will need a lot of space. If the window sill is lined with pots of other crops, planting this lily is impractical. The plant will begin to wither, and its leaves and buds will be small. And such a neighborhood will not benefit other flowers either. Eucharis prefers proud loneliness, in such conditions he turns out to be as effective as possible.

During active growing season, it is correct to keep the plant at a temperature of 22-26 ° C. In winter, it is reduced slightly - to 18-20 ° C. A rest period is necessary for eucharis. Its absence is the main reason that the plant does not bloom. Eucharis does not hibernate for long (1-1.5 months).

Advice

In the natural environment for the Amazonian lily, the rest period begins after flowering. At home, it is organized artificially, reducing watering to a minimum - the soil in the pot should be semi-dry.

Eucharis is capricious about sudden temperature changes and drafts. He reacts to them sharply - by crushing flowers or their absence. In the cold (at temperatures below 10 ° C), the plant loses its decorative effect and dies. Eucharis leaves begin to fly around, and the bulbs begin to rot.

Care basics

Although the Amazonian lily can grow in dry air, regular spraying is beneficial. They are carried out carefully, making sure that no drops of water fall on delicate petals. Violation of this rule is fraught with the appearance of ugly spots on them. With the beginning of the heating season, the frequency of spraying at home is brought up to 2 times a day.

To save time on such care, the pot with the plant is placed on a pallet filled with wet expanded clay. You can replace it with pebbles, sand or moss. An important point - the bottom of the container should not come into contact with water. Eucharis leaves are periodically wiped from dust with a damp sponge or soft cloth. It is allowed to wash them with water, but so that it does not drain into the ground.

During the period of intensive growth, the Amazon lily is watered abundantly. The next moistening is started when the substrate in the upper part of the pot dries up. This usually takes 3-4 days. Eucharis loves slightly moist soil, but does not tolerate excess water, like all bulbous ones, responding to it by rotting roots. The resting flower is watered less often - after 7-10 days. Moisten the plant with soft, previously settled water. Cold liquid cannot be used, its temperature should be room temperature. Watering is carried out along the edge of the pot. The ingress of water into the center of the flower threatens it with diseases of the bulb. The liquid drained into the pan is immediately drained.

An actively growing and blooming eucharis needs additional feeding. Organic and mineral compositions rich in potassium are suitable for him. They are brought in alternately at intervals of 2 weeks.For plant nutrition in the summer, it is better to use preparations for flowering indoor crops, which contain a minimum of nitrogen. When the last buds on the eucharis fade, feeding is stopped. It will be possible to resume the usual care in 30-50 days.

Suitable soil and transplant

Eucharis prefers loose, well-permeable soil with a slightly acidic reaction. From ready-made substrates, soil for amaryllis, hippeastrum, valotta is suitable for him.

Planting a plant in a mixture of components taken in a ratio of 4: 2: 2: 1 will be successful:

• leafy land;
• turf land;
• peat;
• sand.

You can prepare a substrate for eucharis at home in another way, adding to the leafy ground in the same proportions:

• compost (or well-rotted manure mixed with bone meal);
• baking powder (vermiculite, perlite, coarse sand);
• loamy soil.

Advice

To protect the bulbs from decay, chopped charcoal is mixed into the soil.

A flower transplant is rarely required - once every 3-4 years. He transfers it painfully, acutely reacting to a violation of the soil coma and damage to fragile roots. But this procedure for eucharis is a vital necessity. The flower actively forms daughter bulbs, which eventually fill the entire space of the pot. The walls of the container may not withstand their pressure and burst. Even if you take care of eucharis according to all the rules, the tightness and lack of nutrition will ruin it.

Before transplanting the plant, a drainage layer of expanded clay or pieces of nutshell is laid on the bottom of the pot. The size of the container depends on the goals of the grower. In a spacious pot, eucharis will direct all its forces to the formation of new bulbs. Cramped dishes will force the plant to actively release flower stalks. The height of the indoor eucharis reaches 60-80 cm, which is why you need to choose a stable pot for it.

The transplant is carried out in early spring. In this case, you need to act carefully, trying not to injure the roots and leaves of the flower. Before removing the eucharis from the old pot, it is recommended to gently loosen the soil in it with a wooden stick. The bulbs are cleaned of soil by straightening their roots. You can rinse them under running water. After that, they are placed in a fresh substrate.

Landing features

In order for the eucharis to be lush, bloom well and does not require frequent replanting, the feeding area of ​​each bulb should be at least 5 cm². The size of the pot determines their number. It is not necessary to separate the babies from the mother's bulb during the transplant process. When placed in individual pots, they will not bloom soon. Such a measure is justified only if its purpose is to reproduce eucharis.

Planting depth depends on the availability of leaves. If there are any, the bulb is immersed in the soil 4-5 cm. The soil around it is well compacted. Adult bulbs without leaves need a shallower planting. The top of their head should look out of the substrate. This will make it easier to control their growth. If children are used for planting, sprinkle their top with a thin layer of soil.

Caring for plants during this period is reduced to watering. They start it when the eucharis has spent 7-10 days in a new pot. For 4-6 weeks, until the transplanted flowers release new leaves, rolled into a tube, adhere to the moisturizing scheme recommended for the dormant period. Water the plants, waiting for the surface layer of the substrate to dry.

Advice

Bulbs with leaves are regularly sprayed with plenty of water after planting.

Eucharis will take root easier and faster in a new pot if you provide it with diffused lighting and moderate coolness. In such conditions, the flower is kept for several days. When young leaves appear on the plant, care for it is supplemented with dressings.

Why does indoor eucharis not bloom?

The reasons why the plant is in no hurry to please the owner with buds lie in a serious violation of its requirements.Most often, the following mistakes lead to such a result at home:

• improper fit;
• sharp temperature fluctuations;
• exposure to drafts;
• lack of nutrients;
• lack of a rest period.

Eucharis blooms when its bulb is overgrown with children. This process usually takes 3-4 years. If the plant needs to be divided, it is advisable to wait for its transplant. This is done so that the mature bulb is surrounded by 4-5 children. This division is less traumatic for the roots, and it also stimulates the formation of young bulbs. The long-awaited buds on eucharis will appear when their roots completely encircle the soil ball.

Planting several plants in one pot accelerates flowering. It is advisable to choose a tighter container for them. If eucharis is already in a spacious pot, there are two ways out:

• wait until the roots of the flower grow;
• replace dishes with less bulky ones.

Since the flower does not tolerate a transplant, it is better to stop at the first option.

A sure way to get eucharis to release buds is to hibernate it. The pot is removed in a cool place and kept in the shade, almost without watering. The florist's task is for the plant to keep the old leaves healthy, but not to release new ones. If the Amazon lily has dried stems with buds, they are pruned.

Advice

The amount of sun rays for a resting plant does not play a special role. You do not have to move it, but leave it on the windowsill under the ajar window. The main thing is to lower the temperature, reduce watering and protect the flower from drafts.

After 1-1.5 months, the pot is rearranged to light, the temperature in the room is increased and the eucharis is taken care of as usual. The flower responds well to such a shake after transplantation, starting to grow actively and forming arrows with buds. If the next dormant period of the Amazon lily is arranged in August, it will bloom again in winter.

Eucharis is an elegant and at the same time spectacular plant that captivates with its beauty even without buds. Against the backdrop of its luscious and shiny dark green leaves, the charm of other indoor crops will only intensify. This flower is surrounded by ancient beliefs. It is the best charm for women, helping to find happiness, prosperity and harmony in the family. Not surprisingly, European florists make sure to include it in their wedding bouquets. The plant has a beneficial effect on children, contributing to the development of their intelligence, therefore, its location in the corner of the student will be especially successful.

It is not difficult to care for eucharis, even those who are just getting acquainted with the basics of indoor floriculture will cope with this task. The only negative of the plant is its toxicity. Because of it, the eucharis pot is recommended to be placed where pets and small children cannot reach it. You need to work with the plant carefully, protecting your hands with rubber gloves and remembering to wash them thoroughly after completing the procedures.