All about tuberose | Gardening On

The tuberose is a bulbous white-flowered

The spikenard It is a beautiful plant that produces flowers that are normally of a pristine white color that attracts a lot of attention. Although it can be seen in all its splendor only at a certain time of year, its beauty is such that it is always liked to have it on the patio or in the garden.

In addition, its maintenance is very simplebut it will be even more so for you after reading this article.

Origin and characteristics

The flowers of tuberose appear in terminal inflorescences

The tuberose, also known as vara de San José, is a perennial tuberous plant native to Mexico. Its scientific name is Tuberous polianthesand can reach a height of up to 1m. Long, bright green leaves grow from its roots, and the white or pink flowers, which are grouped in spike-shaped inflorescences between late summer and early fall.

Its cultivation is very easy, since it will only need us to take into account a few things to make it happy. But let’s look at it in more detail below.

What are their cares?

If we want to have a copy, we must take into account the following:

Location

It is important that we place the tuberose outside, in full sun. Being a rather small plant and not having invasive roots, we will not have to worry about the area as long as it is exposed to the star king.

Earth

Universal cultivation substrate, the best soil for tuberose

It will depend on where we grow it:

  • Flower pot: universal culture substrate mixed with 30% perlite.
  • the garden: it is indifferent if you have good drainage.

Irrigation

Irrigation has to be frequent, but avoiding waterlogging. You have to water every 2-3 days in summer, a little less the rest of the year. If we have it in a pot and we put a plate under it, we must remove the excess water 15 minutes after watering, especially in spring and autumn-winter.

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Throughout the growing and flowering season (spring to autumn) must be paid with a fertilizer for bulbous plants, following the indications specified on the product packaging.

Planting or transplanting time

In autumn. In case of having it in a pot, a transplant is recommended every 2 years, more than anything to renew the substrate.

Pruning

It is not necessary. You just have to remove the dry leaves and withered flowers.

Multiplication

The tuberose multiplies by division of tubers in autumn and by seeds in spring. Let’s see how to proceed in each case:

Division

You have to follow this step by step:

Potted
  1. First, the plant is carefully removed.
  2. Second, as much substrate as possible is removed from the roots.
  3. Third, a tuber is separated by cutting it with scissors previously disinfected with pharmacy alcohol.
  4. Fourth and last, it is planted in another pot and watered with homemade rooting agents.
In the garden
  1. First, with a hand hoe (or hoe) a small trench about 30cm deep is dug around the plant.
  2. Second, it is watered thoroughly to soften the soil.
  3. Third, a tuber is separated with the hands or, if we cannot, with a serrated knife previously disinfected with pharmacy alcohol.
  4. Fourth, it is planted in another area of ​​the garden.

Seeds

To multiply it by seeds you have to follow this step by step:

  1. First, a seedling tray is filled with universal growing medium.
  2. Second, it is watered thoroughly.
  3. Third, a maximum of two seeds are placed in each socket and covered with a thin layer of substrate.
  4. Fourth, the seedling is placed in a plastic tray without holes, outside, in semi-shade.

Every time it is watered, always avoiding that the substrate remains dry, we will fill the tray with water without holes. A) Yes, they will germinate in 1-2 months.

Pests

Red spider, a pest that can affect your tuberose

The tuberose is a plant that can be affected by the following:

  • Snails and slugs: they can eat all its parts. They can be kept away with these remedies.
  • Red spider: it is a mite that measures about 0,5cm that weaves cobwebs between the leaves. It also causes the appearance of discolored spots on them, since they feed on the cells of the plant. It is eliminated with acaricides.
  • White worms: they feed on the roots. They are fought with Cypermethrin 10%.
  • Trips: they are like black earwigs that measure about 0,5cm. They feed on the leaves, where we can see the parasites themselves and their organic remains (they are like black dots). They are fought with chlorpyrifos.

Diseases

Can have mushroomssuch as botrytis or Phytopthora. The symptoms are:

  • Root rot
  • White or gray mold or powder on leaves and / or stems
  • Flower abortion

What uses does it have?

Polianthes tuberosa 'Sensation', a bulbous pink-flowered

The tuberose is used as a plant ornamental. Its flowers are very, very beautiful and also last a long time – about 40 days. For this reason also used as a cut flower. To make them last a little longer, we can do the following:

  1. Cut them early in the morning, from the base and without leaves.
  2. Put them in a vase with water and change this every 1-2 days.
  3. Add an aspirin to the water.
  4. Protect them from direct light.

And with this we are done. What did you think of the tuberose?

All about tuberose | Gardening On

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