The birthplace of this plant is South Africa. It is often grown at home. This is due to the unusual appearance and beautiful flowers. Albuca spiral got its name because of the shape of the stems and the possibility of ejecting peduncles with white inflorescences (albuca spiralis means "shooting white").
Description of an unusual flower
Albuca spiralis is a succulent plant - a plant that has special tissues where water reserves accumulate.
Spiral album
A flower grows from a bulb, which looks like this:
- Round, slightly flattened shape;
- White color;
- The average diameter is 5 centimeters;
- The roots are fibrous, white.
An albuca flower grows on average from 15 to 20 leaves. They gather in a single outlet at the beginning of the root. The greenish-gray leaves of the plant rarely reach more than 15 cm in length. In shape they resemble a spiral, for which the flower got its name.
Additional Information. When the leaves are straightened, their length can be 35 cm. They take a spiral form during periods of heat, when the plant does not have enough moisture, and it accumulates and preserves it in this way.
Peduncle length can reach 60 cm. Unlike leaves, it is bluish and fleshy. The inflorescence is loose, in the form of a brush. On average, it contains from 10 to 20 downward directed flowers. The diameter of the flower is about 3 centimeters; they grow on a four-centimeter peduncle.
Albuca Flowers
Outwardly, the flowers resemble bells, only pale green or pale yellow. Each flower consists of 6 petal lobes arranged in 2 circles. The first three petals are located in a horizontal plane, the second three are directed down to protect the pestle and stamens. The aroma of the plant is creamy vanilla, but not all of its species are fragrant. Albuca gives fruit in the form of boxes, where there are black glossy seeds.
Albu care at home
It’s easy to grow a flower at home. It is enough to observe the following recommendations:
- The plant is very photophilous. It is recommended to install it on a window with the highest illumination. This will ensure good growth, normal development and abundant flowering.
- The soil also has certain requirements: lightness, high ability to pass water and air, a significant content of coarse sand.
- Spiral Albuca is very thermophilic. In summer, the optimum temperature for growing is 25-28 degrees, in winter - 13-15 degrees Celsius.
Important! When grown home, the plant usually blooms in spring. However, it is recommended to stimulate it. To do this, in late November - early December, you should place it in a cool place with a daily temperature in the range of 10-15 degrees.
- The flower consumes the most moisture during intensive growth and ejection of flowers. The plant belongs to the category of succulents, which means that it is necessary to water abundantly, but not often. To determine that a flower needs moisture is simple: just touch the topsoil. If it is dry, water it over. Stop watering when dormancy occurs (leaves have died).
Growing spiral alba
- Top dressing is required only during growth and flowering. It is better to use various complex materials as fertilizer.
What to do if leaves do not curl
The main cause of straight leaves is stagnation of water in them. Since succulent has the ability to accumulate moisture in special tissues, excessive watering can lead to problems. There are two solutions in this case:
- Reduce the amount of water for irrigation. Moisture to a flower is necessary only during flowering and intensive growth. The rest of the time, it may well cost a minimum amount of water. Watering should be done only when the soil in the pot is dry. Excess moisture will lead to stagnation in plant tissues, which will lead to various diseases, possibly death.
- Provide stable lighting for at least 18 hours. For this, it is quite possible to use fluorescent lamps or special lighting devices. In addition to their direct action (lighting), they will have a thermal effect on the album. This will require her to spend water reserves. As a result, excess moisture from the tissues will be naturally removed, and the plant will return to its usual appearance.
Albuca spiral disease
Excessive moisture can cause leaves to fall. Problems arise in the case of low temperature, low light. Doesn't like plant drafts.
Flowering features
The spike of the peduncle in the spiral alba occurs, as a rule, in April-May. This is due to the fact that flowering requires a significant temperature difference at night and day, this condition is most often observed precisely in the spring.
You can admire the flowers of albuca for 10 weeks. The inflorescences of the plant are in the form of bells with 6 petals bent in different directions. Some types of spiral albuqui have a delicate and pleasant aroma, which is very popular among home gardening lovers.
At the end of the flowering period, seed stalks form on the stems. At this point, it is necessary to significantly reduce or stop watering, since the flower is preparing for a dormant period. It discards leaves, in it all processes are slowed down. The end of the album care season begins in the fall.
Seed propagation
Albuca is grown from seeds or bulbs. If the bulb can be simply transplanted, then a step-by-step instruction for working with seeds is as follows:
- Step 1. Acquisition of seeds and soil.
Note! Use only fresh seeds. This increases the germination rate and the likelihood of rapid flower growth, and also protects it from diseases. Planting seeds is recommended in a special soil for succulents. It is characterized by good air traffic.
Seed propagation method
- Step 2. The container with soil and seeds should be covered with glass or film to ensure a greenhouse effect. Sprouts need to wait in a well-lit room with a temperature of 26-28 degrees for 14 days.
- Step 3. The pot is recommended to be placed in a well-lit place. If there is enough light, after a few months the leaves will become spiral. If necessary, you can use a fluorescent lamp.
- Step 4. If you properly care for the sprouts, by the end of the first year of their life, bulbs form. They should be transplanted into separate containers. The first flowers will have to wait three years.
At home spiral care is simple at home. This plant is a succulent, does not require much attention. It is enough to provide the necessary amount of light, heat and moisture, and the plant will delight the owner with its beautiful flowers.
