- origin
- growth
- leaves
- blossom
- heyday
- fruit
- use
- Is Crown of Glory poisonous?
- Which location is suitable?
- What soil does the plant need?
- increase crown of glory
- sowing
- balcony
- cast crown of glory
- Fertilize crown of glory properly
- Cutting the crown of glory correctly
- How do I plant correctly?
- hibernate
- Diseases
- pests
- brown leaves
- sorts
Glory crowns develop showy blooms reminiscent of flaming lilies. They are aesthetic ornamental flowering plants adapted to specific conditions. Therefore, care requires a little more attention, because incorrect measures or suboptimal site conditions damage the plant.
Unfortunately, the beautiful crown of glory is poisonous
Table of Contents
Show all- origin
- growth
- leaves
- blossom
- heyday
- fruit
- use
- Is Crown of Glory poisonous?
- Which location is suitable?
- What soil does the plant need?
- increase crown of glory
- sowing
- balcony
- cast crown of glory
- Fertilize crown of glory properly
- Cutting the crown of glory correctly
- How do I plant correctly?
- hibernate
- Diseases
- pests
- brown leaves
- sorts
- as a container plant
- flowering shoots as cut flowers
- climbing shoots as a green curtain
- permeable soil
- medium coarse structure
- moderate nutrients
- pH between 5.5 and 6
- Gloriosa carsonii: leaves encircling the stem, up to twelve centimeters long. Flowers solitary, mahogany to purple in color with yellow edges. Reaches heights of growth of up to 150 centimetres.
- luteal: Lily-like flowers, entirely yellow. Blooms from July to August. Between 80 and 150 centimeters high.
- Citrine: Lemon-yellow flowers, burgundy edges and stripes.
origin
The crown of glory bears the scientific name Gloriosa superba. The timeless plant is often listed under the outdated name Gloriosa rothschildiana. The species grows in the tropical and subtropical climate zones of Africa and Southeast Asia. On the African continent, their distribution area extends to the south. It occurs in Malaysia and Madagascar. The Gloriosa inhabits periodically humid areas and counts as naturalized in many tropical and subtropical areas.
growth
Gloriosa superba is a perennial herb that develops twining shoots. This allows the crown of fame to grow to a height of two meters. In the upper part, the shoot axes branch out. The growing point is at the top of the main shoot. This bud can break off very easily, which is why special care is required when taking care of it. Glory crowns form an underground rhizome. It serves as a storage organ for water and nutrients so that the plant can survive dry periods.
leaves
The lanceolate leaves of the crown of fame are arranged alternately. Its leaf surface, which is up to 15 centimeters long, is green and shiny. At the top, the leaf blade ends in a tendril, which the plants use to climb up the surrounding vegetation. If the tendrils cannot find support, the main shoot will crawl over the ground.
blossom
The flowers are on ten to 20 centimeters long stems that grow individually from the leaf axils. They are hermaphrodite and reach a diameter between ten and 20 centimeters. Typical for crowns of glory are six narrow bracts, the edge of which is heavily wavy. When the flower bud opens, the bracts bend back. They form an aesthetic contrast to the long stamens and are reminiscent of fiery flames.
heyday
Crowns of Glory flower between June and August. During this time, they are adorned with variably colored flowers. They usually glow scarlet, with the red color changing to yellow towards the base. There are single or multicolored varieties.
fruit
When the flowering period is over in late summer, crowns of glory bear many fruit capsules. They are ovoid or oblong in shape and harbor many dark seeds under their fleshy covering.
use
Glory Crowns come from tropical regions and are perfect for beautifying greenhouses and warm houses. They set colorful accents in pot gardens not only as decorative flowers but also with their picturesque growth and are ideal for indoor greening. The unconventional growth requires a climbing aid. Curtain rods are just as suitable for the climbing foliage plant as trellises.
How to use Glory Crowns:
Is Crown of Glory poisonous?
Gloriosa superba contains the highly toxic alkaloid colchicine, which autumn crocuses also develop. The concentration is particularly high in the root tuber. The substance can cause severe symptoms of poisoning. It inhibits certain processes in cell division, so that the cells are not viable. Children or pets should not come into contact with the exotic beauties.
Which location is suitable?
Gloriosa grows in a bright and partially shaded place. She loves warm and humid conditions, which is why the plant is best cultivated in a warm house or in a heated greenhouse. The humidity should be between 50 and 65 percent, while the temperature must not fall below 18 degrees Celsius, even at night.
What soil does the plant need?
Use a quality soil suitable for potted plants. You can make your own mix that provides the indoor plants with optimal growth conditions. Mix a compost-based substrate with a third of leaf compost or a coarse-grained peat substitute such as Kokohum. If you use garden soil and compost, you should heat the substrate in the oven. In this way, pathogens and pests are killed.
Crowns of Fame need:
increase crown of glory
Crowns of glory are propagated vegetatively. The ideal time for division is the beginning of March, as the plants are not yet in the growth phase. Gently tap the substrate from the root ball to expose the rhizomes.
Cut off some side bulbs and place them in medium-sized planters. The eyes must point upwards, because this is where the plant develops new shoots. Germination begins at a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius. You have to be careful when handling the rhizomes, because the eyes are very sensitive.
sowing
If you own a heated greenhouse, you can increase your crown of fame through seeds. Scatter the seeds on a sandy mixture with compost and coconut fiber. In the coming weeks, the temperature must be constant at 20 degrees. Keep the substrate evenly moist. If the soil moisture is too high, the young plants shoot up quickly and snap at the base. Plants grown from seed can take between two and four years to flower for the first time.
balcony
During the summer months, the Crown of Fame enjoys a place on the balcony or terrace. Place the bucket in a semi-shady place that gets some sun in the morning and evening. A sheltered location with constant conditions is important, because crowns of glory do not tolerate temperature fluctuations. If the thermometer rises, the plant gets yellow leaves. If the temperature is too low or if there is a sudden cold shock, the foliage becomes soft and partially transparent.
cast crown of glory
The Gloriosa requires even soil moisture. Water generously at regular intervals between spring and fall. The substrate should not dry out between watering sessions. Discard excess water from the saucer as the roots do not tolerate waterlogging. Once the flowers have withered and the plant draws energy from the leaves, watering is reduced. Stop watering completely when all of the above-ground parts of the plant have withered. The rhizomes must be dry during the dormant period.
Fertilize crown of glory properly
Crowns of glory enjoy regular fertilization during the growing season. The first fertilization takes place in spring, when the fresh shoots appear. Give the plant a liquid fertilizer at a low concentration every second watering. When the leaves wither in autumn, the supply of nutrients is stopped.
Cutting the crown of glory correctly
Withered leaves and shoots can be removed regularly. When the plant has completely withdrawn in autumn, you can cut off the dead parts of the plant close to the ground. The pruning should be done no earlier than September. If living leaves and shoots are trimmed, the crown of glory can no longer store sufficient energy in the rhizome.
This cutting measure is not absolutely necessary. If you do not cut off the withered leaves, they will fall onto the substrate and will slowly decompose.
How do I plant correctly?
Crowns of glory are repotted annually in March so that the rhizomes get fresh soil. Clean the rhizomes carefully so that no residue remains. Daughter tubers can be cut off and replanted. Put the rhizomes in a suitable substrate mixture with the tip upwards and cover the tubers with soil two to three centimeters thick. Put the pot in a light and warm place. After repotting, the tubers are watered sparingly.
hibernate
After the flowering period, the Gloriosa enters a resting phase. It is not based on the Central European seasons, but on tropical rainy and dry phases. To mimic these natural conditions, you need to adjust grooming.
Once the flowers have withered, slowly discontinue watering. If all above-ground parts of the plant have died, it is no longer poured or fertilized. You can clean the tuber and store it in a dark and dry place with temperatures between 15 and 17 degrees Celsius. Alternatively, overwintering in the substrate is possible, provided that it is completely dry.
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Diseases
Gloriosa superba proves to be resistant to pathogens. Care mistakes can lead to the plant no longer growing healthily. A lack of nitrogen during the growing season causes the upper leaves to discolour. Give the plant a nitrogen-rich fertilizer regularly.
pests
Crowns of Glory are occasionally attacked by pests that should be dealt with in good time. If the annoying insects are noticed too late, the fight against the mass spread becomes increasingly difficult.
aphids
During the spring, aphids can infest the plant, and their sucking activities lead to unsightly discoloration of the leaves. Since the pests reproduce asexually, action should be taken quickly in the event of an infestation.
spider mites
If the humidity is too low, spider mites can occasionally appear on the Gloriosa. Their fine webs are particularly visible when the plant has been sprayed with water. The spider-like pests multiply within a few days and suck plant sap from the veins on the underside of the leaves.
brown leaves
If the leaf tips of the crown of glory suddenly turn brown, the humidity is not high enough. This phenomenon is often seen in winter when the bucket is on a window sill directly above the heater. Larger temperature fluctuations can also cause young leaves and buds to turn brown. With a lack of light, the buds dry up and fall off.
tips
Combine crown of glory flower stalks with flowering spider gerbera shoots and a purple butterfly orchid. The picturesque image creates a majestic atmosphere.