I admit that few flowers have managed to fall in love just by looking at them for the first time, but the Lycoris radiated Not only has he reached that goal, he has surpassed it. This means that the safest thing is that I get a copy to enjoy its beauty in the garden.
If you have aroused the curiosity to know what are its characteristics and, most importantly, its care what better than to continue reading this post? .
Origin and characteristics
Our protagonist is a herbaceous perennial and bulbous native to Asia whose scientific name is Lycoris radiated. Its common name is hell flower, and it is native to Asia, specifically China, Korea, Nepal and Japan. Its bulbs are subglobose and measure 1 to 3 cm in diameter; From them sprout in autumn dark green leaves up to 15cm long and up to 5mm wide.
Our flowers appear in springand are formed by 2 lanceolate bracts (modified leaves) 3 cm long by 5 mm wide, and the bright red perianth with the green perigonium tube.
One point to keep in mind is that these flowers are toxic. If ingested they are very dangerous, and even poisonous. That is why it is recommended not to have them near children or pets that can eat them because they cause serious problems.
What are their cares?
If you want to have a copy, we recommend that you provide it with the following care:
Location
It must be outside, in an area with partial shade. Now this it will depend on the weather you have. For example, if you live in the north where it is not too hot, instead of being in partial shade it is more convenient to put it in full sun because Lycoris likes the sun a lot and, as long as this is not too much (because the flowers would burn) it is very good.
If you live in the south then we do recommend that you put it in semi-shade, making sure that the hours it is exposed to the sun are not the hottest, since in that case you will have to protect it.
Earth
Depending on where you place the Lycoris radiated you’ll have to use one land or another. In general, we indicate it here.
- Flower pot: universal culture substrate mixed with 30% perlite.
- the garden: grows in fertile soils, with good drainage.
Note that the flower of hell feeds on those soils but needs some moisture in them, not too much because if you go too far you will almost certainly kill the plant (excessive watering is deadly).
Irrigation
2 or 3 times a week. It does not resist drought but neither does it resist waterlogging.
One point to keep in mind is that for Lycoris, summer is its resting time and it is recommended not to water (unless it is in a very hot place and you notice that you need water). Why? Because they enter a kind of suspension and do not require irrigation.
If you live in an area where it often rains, then you will have to regulate those risks since it may not be necessary to add as much water. Normally, it is when it is in bloom when it will need more water, especially if you live in a hot, dry climate. In general, when you see the stem of the flower come out, that’s when you need to start watering more.
Subscriber
Throughout the flowering season, it can be fertilized with a specific fertilizer for bulbous plants.
Note that a newly planted bulb cannot be fertilized, because the nutrients it already has in the ground, from which it is going to be nourished, and it does not need more at that time (if you do it, it will burn at the end). It is recommended to apply fertilizer only to plants that already have foliage and are established, that is, young-adult specimens.
And a tip: avoid whenever you can that the fertilizer falls on the leavesand water the soil after fertilizing (or mix it with the water).
Multiplication
At the end of summer by bulbs, also by seeds in spring.
If you use the system reproduction of the bulbs what is done every 3-4 years is to divide it so that it can develop much better.
To do this, you have to take it out of the ground, with all the roots, and divide by planting in the garden or in a pot and watering as soon as you do.
With seeds the process takes longer. Are they are collected from the flowers and many let them dry for a while before planting them, hence they are planted in spring. Others, however, do it directly.
Planting time
At the end of summer. Or in early fall. You must take into account your climate and how it usually behaves, but it is important that always plant it 4 weeks before frost is due to start. Of course, remember to always leave it at ground level, that is, do not completely cover the plant.
In some cases spring planting may be allowed, but it is not recommended. And it is that at that time there is a high probability that the plant will not come out ahead, or that the flowers will not come out well. Therefore, it is always better to meet your ideal planting time.
Pruning
The flowers of hell are not pruned. Although you may think that removing the withered flowers and leaves so that it does not lose nutrients, the truth is that at that time, when the foliage is withering, the bulb takes the nutrients it needs. If you cut it, you reduce the energy it was absorbing and harm the flowering of the following year.
Therefore, it is better to wait until the leaves are brown and it really looks dead to prune.
Rusticity
Resist the frosts down to -7ºC.
Plagues and diseases
The Lycoris radiated It is a plant very resistant to pests and diseases. Although this does not mean that they cannot attack it and reduce its health. Quite the contrary. Of diseases, those that have to do with irrigation are very dangerous for the plant, to the point that it can kill it. Not only because the roots rot with excess moisture, but also because it can suffer from drought or have problems with fungi.
As for pests, in general he can handle them, but the slugs and snails are the most annoying and the ones that can end it (despite its toxicity).
Curiosities of the Lycoris radiata
There is no doubt that this ‘flower from hell’ pleases many and scares a few others. And is not for less.
Is one of the most used flowers in many animes and manga. We can mention, for example, the case of Dororo, Tokyo Ghoul, Inuyasha, Demon Slayer… and in fact many more, almost all of them with their symbology of a farewell, a tragedy or even death.
In fact, this meaning of loss, abandonment, lost memories, etc.. it is by which it is known in China, Japan, Korea or Nepal. Although we could say that in addition to themes of tragedy and death, they also see it as a transformation, an evolution to another path.
There is even legends about the Lycoris. One of them, from China, considers that when a person dies, his soul remains on Earth but is lost, as if he did not know that his life in the world has ended. Until an angel arrives to guide him and collect that soul. And how does he do it? Indicating the path through the flowers of hell where, on his way, he remembers each one of the experiences he has had in his life, at least until he reaches a stream, the so-called Arroyo Amarillo in which, when drinking from that water, he loses all those memories and faces the final judgment to know how he will be reincarnated in his next life.
Another legend, in this case of Korea, tells us that whoever plants Lycoris in his garden will not be rewarded with love. And it is that, although the flower is red, in Korea it symbolizes unrequited love or impossible love.
Related to this, it is said that, when a love ends, a flower from hell is born somewhere because it is the one that keeps the beautiful memories of that relationship.
In Japanfor example, there is a legend where these flowers are called ‘higanbana’. According to Buddhism, they are flowers that guide the dead to Samsara, that is, they guide you from death to a new life or new cycle to incarnate.
What did you think of Lycoris radiated? Have you ever heard of her?
