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Eucomis
Guernsey Donkey2
Posts: 6,713
in Plants
I have one potted up, healthy Eucomis plant that has now finished flowering. It still has the flower spike on the plant. What do I do with it now, to I let the flower spike die down or do I chop it off, and can I collect seed (not sure which part is the seed)?
Thanks.
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Hi GD2
My green Eucomis bicolor bulbs have nearly all finished flowering now .
Seed is produced (hard black coal-like about 2mm diameter) , from the triangular green seed-pods which should start developing soon .
Yours is one of the burgundy forms (very nice too) , so I would assume the 'above terms' still apply
If you don't want seed , cut the spike off anytime but leave the foliage to feed the bulb . I grew some from seed years ago , very easy but took 5-7 years to get to flowering size .
Like any bulb, if you want to maintain vigour and build it up for next year you remove the spent plant stalk and feed it.
If you want babies, let it seed. Stand it in a tray of gravel mixed with some compost and you'll get babies germinating from fallen seed that you can grow on but it will take a great deal of patience and potting on before they get to flowering size. Alternatively, feed it and let the seeds mature on the plant then collect the seed and sow in trays or cells.
Thank you Paul & Obelixx for your speedy replies - I wish growing these Eucomis from seed was as speedy! I did notice some large black (seeds) growths where the flowers had finished, but I didn't realize they were the seeds. However if this plant is a bulb (I bought it at a plant sale) then perhaps there will be small bulblets in the pot now too which I could divide and nurture?
I will cut the flower stem off and hope that the plant will overwinter in the pot and produce another striking flower stem next year.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge of this unusual plant.
Each stem (foliage and flower spike ) indicates one bulb .
Two stems normally means the bulb had divided . Only time will tell .
I think the plant may be pot bound, so I will try repotting it when I cut the stem, feed and water it too.
To be honest, that pots looks a wee bit small. in your location you should be able to grow them in teh ground as you don't get hard frosts.
I'd have thought that too Obelixx. I would need to overwinter it here GD, but I'd expect your conditions to be favourable for it. They're lovely plants
There was a small discussion about these earlier in the year, and it made me tempted to get another one. It would need to come into the house though - don't know if my cold frame would be enough protection
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
GD - I grow mine in a large pot about one foot square and 18 inches deep for three bulbs.
Over the years they have multiplied and have been divided.
Joyce- do you think if I did some in pots, they would be ok against the house wall for me, or would they need a bit more than that?
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Fairy, I just move the pot to the back of the house for the winter and the eucomis have survived for over ten years. I think it's worth trying.