Gloriosa - Description and Care

Gloriosa is an amazing plant in which two opposite qualities are comparable. On the one hand, it is a beautiful flower, which evokes a desire to touch it, and on the other - a toxic, dangerous plant for humans and animals.

The beauty of the flower is undeniable and many want to purchase its tubers for breeding at home. Knowing that gliriosa can damage health and even human life, many home lovers still plant it as an ornamental plant. At the same time, they do not have any serious illnesses or problems with their well-being. The main thing is to know all the secrets of growing a flower, as well as the main points of safe handling.

In Latin, the word "gloriosa" means "glorious" or "glorified". This name is associated with an attractive appearance of the plant, its elegant forms and bright colors. This is a small family belonging to the family of the Untitled. Up to 10 varieties of such climbing flowering plants are known.

Gloriosa is considered a tuberous geophyte, perennial, in which the upper green part dies in a winter unfavorable season for the plant. But in the spring time there is a restoration of the life cycle. This can be seen from the swelling of sleeping buds, located at the top of the tubers.

Plants have straight shoots, differing internodes of elongated shape. Stems are presented in the form of a cylinder, and the length reaches 1-2 meters, the color is light green. The leaves have an interesting ovoid-lanceolate or lanceolate configuration with narrow elongated tips-antennae. With the help of the latter, gloriosis clings to the appropriate support, with a subsequent upward lift.

Large individual flowers can be seen at the ends of the shoots from the beginning of summer. This period falls on June-September. The flowers protrude on long pedicels measuring up to 15 cm, whose heads are lowered downwards. In many species of plants, the perianth is bent to the back. The corolla is symmetrical, with six separate narrow petals. Stamens differ in impressive thickness, length. They are arranged horizontally with respect to the color plant. Anthers of the plant are quite large, yellow in color, have an oval, elongated shape. As a result of flowering, huge three-dimensional pods with seeds in the form of balls and red-brown color are formed.

The flowering plant first appeared in the tropical southern African and Asian forests. A variety of such representatives of the world of flora in Australia are classified as dangerous harmful weeds. They had the ability to displace other plants from sand dunes. The poisonous properties of gloriosis were tried by local animals, whose life had a lethal outcome. The plant also received life in India. Today, here it is less and less, since flowers are widely used in folk medicine based on herbs.

The toxicity of a flowering plant is determined by the content of colchicine alkaloid. They are saturated with its seeds, roots. A 6 mg dose of colchicine is sufficient to cause death. Gloriosa is used for vertical gardening purposes. When cutting flowers can stand in a vase and not fade for 5-7 days.

The plant is referred to the Melantiev family. Initially, it belonged to a large family of Lily. Each of the 10 species of gliroid is gorgeous in its own way, but the most popular are: simple gloriosa, magnificent or luxurious, the Rothschild gloriosa.

Gloriosa is common in tropical wetlands of Africa. It has shoots of 1.5 m long, leaves of a lanceolate configuration - 8 cm, yellow-green and yellowish-red axillary flowers in a radius of up to 2.5 cm, petals of irregular shape. The flowering of such a plant can be observed in the summer season.

Gloriosa is luxurious or magnificent and is considered popular with many growers. It is a decorative flower, the habitat of which is Nepal, the tropics of Africa, and Sri Lanka. Liana in these parts grows on clay soil in wet bogs. The height of the plant grows to 1500 km relative to sea level. This variety of gloriosa is beautiful with leaves of a lanceolate form with pointed tips located on elongated shoots. Exotic is characterized by petals 8 cm long, reproductive organs, painted in three shades.

Knowing that this culture is a poisonous plant that loves a moist environment, it is necessary to create all conditions for its proper growing of the house. It is necessary to consider the following factors: lighting, temperature, humidity, type of tank, and also soil for planting. The tropical culture loves the touch of the scattered bright sun rays of the sun. Therefore, the flower pot should be placed near the windows located in the western or eastern part of the house. If the choice falls on the window in the southern part, then you should shade the plant from direct sun rays in the summer. To the bright natural light, glorioses are introduced in the spring not immediately, with great care, so that there are no burns.

At the time of vegetation, set a suitable air temperature to 20-25 degrees. In autumn, at a temperature of 10 degrees, dig out the tubers from the soil and leave it for storage. In the winter season, the vine is not touched. Such a culture requires a careful attitude to itself always. It must be protected from drafts. Proceeding from the fact that gloriosa is a tropical plant, it adapts well in a humid climate. 

Liana loves a lot of water, so the soil must be stably wet. Use soft standing water. As the upper part of the substrate dries up, it is necessary to water the culture. In autumn it is not necessary to saturate the soil abundantly with liquid, and in winter, watering is stopped altogether. In the process of vegetation the plant needs additional fertilizing. In spring, they begin to fertilize a healthy strong vine, using a special complex composition of liquids intended for ornamental crops. The soil is fertilized every 7-10 days. This process is very important for the plant, as it supports its further abundant, long-term growth and flowering.

For a normal and timely flowering of the creeper, sufficient light and no damage are necessary. This is also necessary for accelerated and safe growth of shoots. The plant is less susceptible to damage from pests. It can be damaged by a scabbard.

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