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Hymenocallis festalis, Ismene for short, is not a native bulbous plant. Nevertheless, it also develops large white flowers in this country in summer, which inspire with their shape. But at some point the last sunny day is over. Approaching from tropical areas, it will struggle with the cold of winter. Where to put the tuber?
In the fall, non-hardy onions need to be pulled out of the ground
Wait for the wilting
Even if the petals are wilted on the ground in late summer, there is no need to hurry. The frost is still a few weeks away before it freezes the earth. But that's not the only reason why the onion should still stay in the ground.
The vegetation phase is not yet over when the flowers fade. The tuber begins to gradually get and store the nutrients from the leaves. From this she will draw strength for new growth in the coming year. Allow the Ismene's above-ground parts to wither completely before offering it a safe place to overwinter.
tips
If you do not want to collect seeds, you should cut off faded flowers as soon as possible. Otherwise, seed production consumes valuable energy.
Cut back and dig up
Regardless of whether they grow in garden soil or in containers, all bulbs must be removed from the soil. Separate them from the withered leaves. Dig up the bulbs carefully so that none are damaged. If the tuber has large roots, you can cut it back now.
If you discovered small onions near the big onion, you can dig them up as well. In the spring you can propagate new plants from it.
let dry
Bring the onions indoors, in a cool room. Spread them out on newspaper without touching each other. Once the clinging soil is completely dry, shake it off. After that, let the onions dry for a few more weeks.
Do not speed up the drying process by keeping the onion warm. This process must be slow so that they remain flexible and do not break off later.
storage place
Gently wrap the dried onions in newspaper or place them in wood straw. If pieces of a tuber break off, this can prevent flowering in the following year. The package will be placed at its wintering place until around the beginning of April. This should be as follows:
- dark
- cool
- if possible with 8-10 °C
The end of rest
In early April, all tubers are planted in pots. If necessary, the root system can be cut back a little beforehand. The tubers planted are carefully poured and placed in a bright place. Now an interim time begins in the house, during which the onions can advance.
After the frosty season is over, hibernation has finally come to an end. The pots can be put outside. Specimens that are to flower in the bed are now planted at a depth of 8-10 cm and receive full care.