Gemantus: 5 species with photo

Method and features of home care

For Hemantus, like many tropical plants, the conditions of care are quite important.

First of all, you should pay your own attention to the importance of the presence of drainage and holes in the bottom of the pot, since excess moisture should not accumulate near the root system. In the summer, it is very important to take the flower out into the fresh air, and in the winter to give it peace of mind in a cool room.

In the summer, it is very important to take the flower out into the fresh air, and in the winter to give it peace of mind in a cool room. Other nuances should be considered in more detail:

Other nuances should be considered in more detail:

Lighting - abundant but diffused light is required, which indicates the need for the location of the pot on the west or north side.

In this case, there should be a lot of light, otherwise the flower will lag behind in its own development.

The temperature regime should be maintained within the range of 20-23 ° C, with the obligatory presence of ventilation in the summer.

For the winter period, choose a location in the room where the temperature is about 15 ° C (in the case of foliage shedding 12 ° C).

Air humidity also plays an important role - the flower prefers dry air, so you should not place it near the aquarium or spray the foliage.

Only wiping the sheets with dust is allowed

Also, when taking it outside (balcony), it is important that it is not rainy or foggy.

Watering.

Hemantus requirements for this part are quite simple - it is better to skip the procedure once again than to pour in an extra amount.

Water is poured in in small portions only when the soil dries out to the middle. Be sure to take into account the need to defend it.

Attention!
When the flower leaves begin to wilt, you need to check the watering frequency. Most often, this problem is associated with its insufficiency.

Top dressing of hemantus

It is really necessary to feed the hemantus only during the period of flowering and active development.

In winter, it is better not to groom it with such additions, and exclude complementary foods during the growth of the peduncle (allow it to grow up to 10-12 cm).

The optimal type of feeding for this flower is organic matter and fertilizers for bulbous plants.

The addition of such components to watering should not be more than 1 time in 3 weeks.

Types and varieties of hemantus

Of the representatives of the genus Gemantus, the white-flowered and scarlet species are most often grown at home. But it is customary to call scadoxus close to them hemantus. Since all these plants belong to the Amaryllidaceae family and the conditions for their maintenance are almost the same, we will introduce you to some scadoxus.

White-flowered Gemantus (Haemanthus albiflos)

- a very attractive evergreen plant with dark green, wide, thick and glossy tongue-shaped leaves about 20 cm long and up to 10 cm wide with cilia along the edge. The length of powerful peduncles of this species does not exceed 25 cm. Floral arrows are crowned with white globular umbrellas with golden anther tips. The most famous variety of the species is:

Prince Albert is a plant with larger inflorescences than the base species, painted in a rich orange color.

In the photo: White-flowered Gemantus (Haemanthus albiflos)

Scarlet Hemantus (Haemanthus coccineus)

- the owner of half-meter leaves with red tips, spotted peduncles and original red inflorescences with yellow anthers and large perianth petals. Unfortunately, in culture, this species does not bloom every year, moreover, its flowering occurs in the fall and does not differ in duration.

In the photo: Scarlet Gemantus (Haemanthus coccineus)

Hemantus Linden (Haemanthus lindenii)

- a variety with leaves arranged in two rows on long petioles with longitudinal folds along the central vein. Peduncles of this hemantus reach a length of 50 cm, and inflorescences up to 20 cm in diameter consist of bright red umbrellas up to 5 cm in diameter.

In the photo: Hemantus Linden (Haemanthus lindenii)

Hemantus snow-white (Haemanthus candidus)

- a variety similar to the white-flowered hemantus, but differs from it by the presence of pubescence on the peduncles and the underside of the leaves.

Tiger Gemantus (Haemanthus tigrinus)

- a product of breeding work. Its leaves, decorated with brown spots, reach a length of almost 45 cm, and the flower stalks rise above the ground by only 15 cm. The inflorescences of this hemantus are large, red.

In the photo: Hemantus pomegranate (Haemanthus puniceus)

Hemantus pomegranate (Haemanthus puniceus)

or pomegranate scadoxus (Scadoxus puniceus) - a plant with leathery wavy leaves and red inflorescences about 10 cm in diameter.

In the photo: Hemantus multiflorus (Haemanthus multiflorus)

Hemantus multiflorus (Haemanthus multiflorus)

or multiflorous scadoxus (Scadoxus multiflorus) - a plant with veiny leaves and large pinkish or scarlet-red inflorescences on tall peduncles.

In the photo: Gemantus Katherina (Haemanthus Katherinae)

Gemantus Katherina (Haemanthus Katherinae)

or Scadoxus Katherinae - the most popular variety with long and thin leaves sitting on a false stem up to 15 cm high, and red inflorescences that appear on the plant in late summer.

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Gemantus - atypical bulbous with original flowering

Haemanthus is a fairly large genus of tender bulbous with evergreen leaves. A distinctive feature of Hemantus, which favorably distinguishes it against the background of other amaryllis, is the ability not to stop growing even in winter. Gemantus is an evergreen culture and attractive even at the dormant stage. Its foliage is invariably beautiful, looks good in pots and interiors, even when it is still far from flowering.

Gemantuses release up to three pairs of broad leaves from each bulb. They are arranged symmetrically in a pair, hanging on two sides, elongated and with a classic rounded edge, often slightly widened at the ends. In some hemantus, the surface of the leaves is catchy-glossy, in others it is pubescent, in others it is sticky. But the association with the linguistic form is difficult to avoid. To many, hemantus leaves without flowering resemble clivia, but in hemantus they are wider, shorter, located not in a perfectly symmetrical rosette, but form bizarre geometric lines, each pair of leaves seems to look in different directions. Thanks to this, the hemantus does not look so formal and strict, but seems more cheerful and elegant.

This plant is characterized by umbrella inflorescences, the brightness and showiness of which are given by bright bracts. Peduncles are powerful, flower arrows are very similar to amaryllis and hippeastrum. Umbrellas consist of hundreds of small flowers of red, orange and white, and the inflorescence itself is surrounded by four fleshy bracts, exactly repeating the color of the inflorescence. "Fluffiness" of hemantus inflorescences is just a visual effect. The thinnest filamentous stamens are long and create a furry effect, towering above the flowers in a kind of halo. And thanks to the spherical shape of the inflorescence itself, such details seem even more attractive: the inflorescences of the "deer's tongue" resemble delicate pom-poms or pillows.

White-flowered Gemantus (Haemanthus albiflos). Reggie1

Hemantus bloom begins in mid-summer and lasts until the end of November. The only drawback is the unpleasant odor that the inflorescences emit as soon as pollen and nectar are actively released. The plant self-pollinates, on the arrows an ovary is formed in the form of round berries about 1-2 cm in diameter with the most varied white-red color. In the ovary, seeds even have time to ripen, which quickly lose their germination, but allow new plants to be obtained.

Deer tongue, he's an elephant's ear: it's all he, Gemantus

The plant got its popular name due to the original shape of the leaves.

Hemantus comes from the African tropics, but our flower growers have been known for more than one hundred years. The plant was discovered by Karl Linnaeus. The flower that he saw had a bright scarlet hue, so the scientist came up with the name "hemantus", which means "blood lily" in Latin.

In 1753, the flower arrived in Europe, and the best gardeners of their time began to cultivate it. They quickly realized that it is possible to keep this beauty even in houses, since the reindeer tongue is unpretentious. In addition, the species and shades of its flowers turned out to be much more than Karl Linnaeus had expected when he met this inhabitant of the tropics.

It is a bulbous plant. The bulb is dense, with scales. Leaves grow in pairs. The apartment hemantus grows all year round, without stopping even in winter, when all the other flowerpots are "sleeping".

Most varieties bloom in summer or fall. Umbrella flowers look beautiful, but when nectar appears, many growers complain that their pet's smell is not the most romantic. The flower does not need bees, it pollinates itself. Berries appear at the tips of the flowers, inside of which seeds ripen (they can be planted, but the germination is weak).

How to care for a flower at home

The reindeer tongue is not capricious and feels great even if the care for it is minimal. However, it may not bloom. This is a problem that growers often face. Therefore, it is necessary to create conditions for the flower close to its native habitat. Gemantus of any kind are poisonous plants. Protective gloves must be worn when working with them.

Watering and humidity

It is quite simple to care for white-flowered hemantus due to restrained watering. It is watered when the soil is already dry. The plant does not tolerate stagnant water and too abundant watering. From waterlogged soil, the bulb may begin to rot. The substrate should dry out to the middle layer between waterings.

And in general, when to water, you can tell by the leaves. If they wilt, watering should be increased, but not excessively. If the flower begins to shed its leaves and do not save them for the winter, then immediately after flowering, you should gradually limit watering, and then stop completely for two months. The leaf plate should not fade, but the soil should dry out completely.

White-colored hemantus are undemanding to air humidity. They grow normally and in very dry conditions when the central heating system is in operation. Do not need to be sprayed. Only once every 2-3 months, wipe the leaves with a damp cloth to remove dust. Water for irrigation should be used soft and only settled, preferably filtered.

Location selection

The ideal place for a flower is west, east and northeast. If this is a south window, then you just need to shade or place the plant in partial shade. No need to put it in a dark corner or in direct sunlight.

Temperature regime

The optimum temperature for indoor white-flowered hemantus is + 18.. . + 22 ° C. Since this species does not have a dormant period, the temperature should not be lowered. In the summer, you can take it outside, just make sure that there are no drafts. This plant can tolerate heat for some time. As with other bulbs, for this flower, a cool winter is an important factor for the release of a peduncle.

Pot and soil selection

The pot should be chosen not deep and wide, it is imperative that there are good drainage holes. It is good if the flowerpot will be 2 - 3 cm in diameter larger than the bulb.

White-colored hemantus is also not picky about the ground

It is important that it is loose, breathable and permeable to water. It is quite possible to take ready-made soil, special for bulbous plants, or do it yourself

For this you need to take:

• sod land - 2 parts;
• leafy ground - 1 part;
• peat - 1 part;
• finely sifted sand - 1 part.

This mixture must be mixed and moistened before planting.It is also recommended to add coconut substrate.

Top dressing

White-flowered Gemantus does not really like organic fertilizers, so it is better to use mineral fertilizers with potassium and phosphorus, or special for bulbous plants. The flower should be fed every two to three weeks.

Transfer

Young hemantus should be transplanted every year in pots with a larger diameter than the previous one. Adults - every 2-4 years as the bulb grows simultaneously with individual daughter bulbs. They must have leaves and roots. The bulb is not completely buried, but only half deepened. The plant does not tolerate transplanting well, so it must be done very carefully so as not to damage the roots. The best option is to use the earthen lump transshipment method.

Reproduction of white-flowered hemantus

It is quite simple to propagate white-flowered hemantus. There are several ways:

• leafy cuttings;
• seeds;
• young children

Propagation by leaf cuttings is the most time consuming method. It is necessary to separate the old lower leaf with a fleshy base from the adult flower. Treat the cut with activated charcoal or crushed wood, and then dry it in the air for 24 hours. Then it should be planted in a mixture of sand and peat. Water in moderation. When the plant takes root, transplant it into a separate pot. In 3 - 4 years it will bloom.

The seeds must be collected immediately after ripening, otherwise they will lose their germination. They are simply sown on moist ordinary soil in greenhouse conditions. The grown seedlings are planted. Plants obtained from seeds will bloom in 5-6 years.

The easiest way is reproduction by children When a flower is transplanted, small bulbs are carefully separated from the mother's bulb and planted separately. Plants take root well and begin to bloom already in the third - fourth year.

Hemantus care at home

How to care for hemantus in an apartment

The hemantus plant has a docile nature, so problems in its cultivation are rare. Amateur flower growers claim that caring for this plant is similar to caring for succulents. Gemantus is comfortable in the usual temperature for a human home - 18-22 ˚C.

In winter, evergreen species of hemantus do not need to change the conditions of detention, since these plants are not included in the dormant period. Deciduous species and varieties prefer to rest in cooler conditions in winter - at a temperature of 10-12 ˚C.

Hemantus enjoys spending summer vacations outdoors, but it is necessary to organize protection from drafts for him.

The indoor flower hemantus also does not make special demands on lighting: it can grow both in partial shade and in bright sun. Ideal for a flower placement near windows oriented to the west, east and northeast. You can also grow it on the southern windowsill, but in the afternoon it will need to be shaded from direct rays.

Watering Hemantus

Water the hemantus at home as the soil dries out, avoiding waterlogging, as it can lead to rotting of the bulb. Closer to winter, watering is gradually reduced, and by the beginning of the dormant period, which lasts 1-2 months, the moisture of the substrate is completely stopped. Watering is carried out with thawed, filtered or settled water at room temperature. Hemantus has enough air humidity, which is normal for a living room, so there is no need to spray the plant, just wipe its leaves from dust from time to time with a damp cloth.

Fertilizing Hemantus

Hemantus is fertilized exclusively with mineral complexes, since this plant does not like organic matter. The complex should be dominated by potash and phosphorus components. Fertilizers for bulbous plants are suitable for Hemantus. The frequency of top dressing is 1 time in 2-3 weeks. Fertilize the plant from the beginning of active growth until the beginning of flowering. During the dormant period, the plant does not need feeding.

Hemantus transplant

An adult hemantus is transplanted once every 4-5 years, at the same time separating the formed babies from the mother's bulb. It is better to transplant the plant in late February or early March: at this time, active growth begins, and the hemantus quickly takes root.

The soil mixture is made up of equal parts of leafy, soddy humus earth and sand, and it is advisable to take a pot wide and not very deep.

When transplanting, do not forget to place a decent layer of drainage material on the bottom of the pot to protect the roots of the hemantus from stagnant water. When planting, the bulb should only be deepened by a third, since the hemantus does not like to sit deep in the ground. To achieve a greater decorative effect, several bulbs can be planted in one pot.

Reproduction of hemantus

Hemantus propagates by seeds, babies and leafy cuttings. The easiest way to transplant is to separate the children from the bulb and plant them as independent plants. However, babies should be with roots and leaves. The bulbs take root well, and after 3-4 years you can already see the flowering of the hemantus.

Getting a new plant from a leaf cut is a more laborious process, but no less interesting. One of the lower leaves with a fleshy base is separated from the adult hemantus. The cut site must be treated with coal powder and allowed to dry in air for 24 hours. A leaf is planted for rooting in a mixture of peat and sand and kept warm with moderate watering. When the roots grow from the cutting, it is planted in a substrate for an adult plant. Flowering will come in 3-4 years.

In the photo: Hemantus leaves

Seed propagation for growing hemantus at home is rarely used, because the seeds very quickly lose their germination. But if you manage to collect them on time, immediately sow them on the surface of the wet soil, without dropping them, place the crops under glass and wait for the shoots, then in 5-6 years you will be able to see the flowering of hemantus from seeds.

Pests and diseases of hemantus

Hemantus diseases and their treatment

Hemantus is ill rarely and mainly from improper care. For example, excessive or too frequent watering of the plant may cause bulb rot or other fungal diseases. Sometimes a red burn can occur with hemantus, or red rot - staganosporosis, which mainly affects the amaryllis and hippeastrum.

If signs of disease appear - red-orange spots and stripes on the leaves - remove the affected organs and treat the plant with special preparations that can be purchased at the flower shop: Bordeaux mixture, copper oxychloride, copper sulfate or other copper-containing compounds that are used to destroy fungal infections ...

Provide the hemantus with good lighting and develop such a watering regime in which the plant will receive enough moisture, but at the same time will not suffer from its excess.

In the photo: Hemantus inflorescence

Sometimes the condition of the hemantus, which is not associated with any disease, is of concern. For example, why doesn't the hemantus bloom? The reason for the refusal to form flowers may be insufficient watering during the period of active growth or improper flower maintenance during the dormant period, especially if you are growing a deciduous species of hemantus: a resting plant needs a cool room, a lot of light and very little water.

Hemantus pests and the fight against them

Most often, the hemantus suffers from an attack by spider mites or scale insects. It is especially worth wary of the appearance of pests during the hot season.

The scale insects, which usually hide in the axils of the leaves and on their underside, are removed from the plant with a cotton swab dipped in soapy water or alcohol, after which the flower is washed in the shower, allowed to dry and treated with a solution of Karbofos or another preparation of a similar action.

As for spider mites, you can guess their presence by a thin cobweb and discolored dots on the leaves - bites. When mites multiply, they leave dark spots on the leaves of the hemantus, which gradually turn yellow and dry. Spider mites are destroyed with acaricidal preparations - Aktellik, Aktara, Fitoverm.

Views

There are several types of this plant. White-flowered Gemantus, which we will describe at home for which we will describe in the article, is considered the most popular and widespread plant. In general, the following variations are known:

1. Plant with white flowers. It is loved by flower growers due to the fact that it can decorate a room for a very long time. The plant develops about 5 flowers, which are pale white with yellow pollen. When the leaves fall, orange berries appear in place of the flowers. So it stands for a very long time, which attracts lovers of beautiful interior design.
2. Flower in pomegranate tones. This plant came to us from the South American continent. The special shape of the leaves distinguishes it from the background of other species: thin leaves from below, and ribbed along the edges. Their color has a light green tone, and bright red buds with yellow pollen blend perfectly with any environment.
3. "Katin Gemantus" - this is the name of a representative from the African continent. Its speckled stem sets it apart from others. The beautiful red flowers with orange pollen are enormous in size and can reach twenty-five centimeters.
4. Multicolor. This type of flower is typical of the tropics. 6-7 leaves up to thirty centimeters long have a large flower of a bright shade. In general, the plant can grow to about eighty centimeters.
5. The last of the species that we wanted to mention is the brindle. Already by the name it can be understood that the color of the plant resembles a tiger skin. Leaves of a red hue with specks and fringes along the edge have a slightly flattened shape.

All types of plants are beautiful in their own way, and any of them will decorate your home and will be a reason for the envy of your guests.

Interesting facts about Hemanthus

Gemantus will help its owner improve overall well-being by enriching the room with oxygen and ozone, as well as aerons, which will lead to a healthy "electrostatics" in the room. "Bloody flower" leads to the improvement and stabilization of metabolic processes in the human body and acceleration of the recovery processes. At the same time, the pressure of all those nearby in the hemantus is normalized. If you install a flower pot next to electronic equipment (computers, TV and other devices), then onthere is a decrease in their impact on humans. This is all due to the fact that hemantus can enhance sound absorption and, in general, creates an aesthetically pleasing and comfortable environment in rooms.

It is customary to decorate not only living rooms with this unusual flower, it looks great in office premises, as it has unpretentiousness and abundant flowering. Interestingly, the flowers can be perfectly dried and then used to create dry flower arrangements. Not bad hemantus is adjacent to ficus or ivy.

Gemantus

The monocotyledonous plant Hemantus (Haemanthus) is a member of the Amaryllidaceae family. Under natural conditions, it can be found in South America. This genus unites more than 40 different species.

The genus was named "Hemantus" by Pitton de Tournefort, this is due to the fact that in the type species the flowers have a deep red color, from the Greek the word "Hemantus" is translated as "bloody flower". The plant was described by Karl Linnaeus in 1753, while the name he left the same.

Among flower growers, the most popular type is white-flowered hemantus (Haemanthus albiflos), popularly also called "deer tongue" or "elephant ear".

Brief description of cultivation

1. Bloom. July to August.
2. Illumination.Can be grown in a slightly shaded area or in bright, diffused light.
3. Temperature conditions. 18 to 22 degrees.
4. Watering.

   During the growing season, the substrate in the pot is moistened immediately after its top layer dries. During the dormant period, it is not necessary to water the flower.

5. Air humidity. Grows well at any level of humidity.
6. Fertilizer.

   During the growing season, feeding is carried out 1 time in 15–20 days, for this they use a mineral complex fertilizer for bulbous plants. During the dormant period, the hemantus does not need feeding.

7. Transfer.

   The bush is rarely transplanted, namely, once every 4 or 5 years, they do it in the last days of February or the first days of March.

8. Reproduction. Daughter bulbs, leaf cuttings and seed method.
9. Diseases. Root rot and staganosporosis.
10. Harmful insects. Scabbards and spider mites.
11. Properties. Hemantus bulbs contain poison.

Features of hemantus

Unlike other representatives of the Amaryllis family, the white-flowered hemantus is an evergreen plant. It grows all year round and does not lose its decorative effect even in winter. And in the rest of the species of hemantus, a dormant period is observed in the winter.

The shape of the bulbs can be ovoid or pear-shaped, in some cases they are flattened from the sides. In diameter, the bulbs reach about 12 centimeters. A small number of fleshy belt-like leaf plates with a green color and rounded ends grow on the bush.

The height and powerful peduncles and foliage can reach about 20 centimeters. Up to three pairs of leaf plates can form on each of the bulbs, while only one pair is formed during one season. The foliage surface can be smooth, sticky to the touch, or covered with pubescence. It is placed in pairs and hangs down symmetrically.

What many growers take for a hemantus flower is actually not a flower, but a spherical bunch, consisting of yellow stamens, collected in an umbrella-shaped inflorescence.

The beginning of flowering occurs in the middle of the summer period, at this time the plant is decorated with flowers that look similar to openwork pompoms. The plant fades in late autumn. After the hemantus begins to secrete pollen and nectar, it develops a characteristic unpleasant aroma. Self-pollinated flowers form an ovary, which is represented by red-white round berries, reaching 10–20 mm in diameter. They quickly lose their germination.

GEMANTUS (REINDEER LANGUAGE, MOTHER LANGUAGE) HOME CARE

Growing problems

Gemantus is an unpretentious plant. It blooms annually when grown correctly. However, growers face some problems when the buds begin to turn black, the leaves dry, and flowering stops. What is the reason for this?

Hemantus flowers

Slow development

You need to pay attention to the soil in the plant pot. She may need fertilization

The presence of pests and disease can interfere with the development of the plant. Inspect the flower and take the necessary pest or disease control measures.

Blackened buds

The reason for the blackening of the buds should be attributed to high humidity and a violation of the temperature regime. In this case, the flower pot is placed in a room where there is no moisture, you should also dry the soil and start moderate watering.

Why do Hemanthus leaves turn yellow

There may be several reasons. This is an excess of moisture in the soil or drying out. The bulb of the plant may begin to rot from the overflow. Soil pests can also lead to yellowing of the leaves. What in this case are experienced florists advised to do, who have also observed this in their home plants?

Note! It is necessary to make adjustments to watering without overflowing or drying out the soil in the pot.If there are pest larvae in the ground, you need to completely replace the soil.

Flower care mistakes

As a result of a number of mistakes in caring for the plant, it may stop blooming, white dots or lightening can be found on the leaves, elongated leaves appear. Florists recommend not to forget that the hemantus blooms after a dormant period. To provide it, you need to stop watering the flower in October. As a result, the leaves begin to turn yellow and dry out.

The flower goes into a state of rest. At this time, the pot with a flower should be placed in a dimly lit room with an air temperature of 14-16 ° C. Light soil moisture is acceptable at this time. You can start watering the hemantus in early spring. Hemantus will bloom at the end of May.

Damage to leaves with a scabbard

There may be other reasons that delay the flowering of the hemantus. For example, a pot is too spacious for a flower, in which the plant must master the land, and only then begin to bloom. The bulb may be too deeply planted, or the flower is poorly lit. In this case, you need to eliminate these reasons.

If the leaves of a flower have lightened and began to stretch out, this means that it is poorly lit. It needs to be moved to a brighter place. White dots can be found on the leaves. The nature of their appearance is different: the consequences of spraying and getting burns from direct sunlight. It is necessary to eliminate these causes.

Care

Watering

Gemantus tolerates a lack of moisture more easily than an excess of it. For each type, the irrigation regime is selected individually. But in any case, it should be watered after at least half of the soil has dried out.

• You can set the watering frequency based on the appearance of the leaves. If they lose turgor, begin to fade, the frequency of watering can be increased. But the volume of water should remain the same.
• In winter, varieties that shed their leaves are watered limitedly. There should be such a period of time between watering that the earthen lump is practically dry.
• You need to water with soft water, for at least a day, settled or filtered through a household filter. Warm melt water or rainwater is the best option in areas where the air is not polluted by industrial smoke.

Lighting

All Hemantus love light. Without adequate lighting, they will not bloom. But the bright rays of the sun in the midday hours can damage their leaves. If the foliage has received burns, then it does not recover, but gradually dies off. When choosing a location, be guided by the east and west windows. Many species like to air out in warm weather on an open balcony or loggia. You just need to make sure that the plant does not fall under direct sunlight, under a downpour. Gemantus feels very bad in drafts.

Temperature

• From the beginning of spring to the very autumn, Gemantus needs a temperature of 20-22 degrees, which corresponds to the usual temperature in a city apartment.
• In winter, most Hemantus species need a temperature of about 15 degrees.
• For those plants that are artificially bred and which shed their leaves during the dormant period, an even lower temperature is needed, up to 12 degrees Celsius. Coolness during winter holidays is needed for full bloom in summer.

Humidity

Gemantus plants perfectly tolerate dry air. Even if they are near the central heating battery, this will not prevent them from developing very well. But it is imperative to keep the leaves clean. They should be wiped off regularly with a damp soft sponge.

The soil

It is no different from the substrate for all Amarylis and bulbous plants. This means that such a soil mixture can be purchased at a flower shop or if it is possible to prepare it yourself.

Store mixes are often not of proper quality, so a recipe for making a mix can come in handy. It consists of three main parts:

• Part of the garden humus;
• A piece of leafy land;
• Part of the turf land.

Transfer

Reindeer tongue should be transplanted annually. Only if the root system is underdeveloped and there is enough free land in the pot, you can leave the plant without transplanting for another year.
Gemantus bulbs are transplanted from late February to mid-March, at the very end of the dormant period. They must be handled very carefully, without damaging the root system.
For the plant, select wide flowerpots with a sufficient amount of drainage at the bottom.

The bulb is immersed in the soil by 2/3, carefully straightening the roots. The top of the bulb should be free.

Fertilizer

Gemantus needs additional feeding during vegetative growth and during flowering. Fertilizers are applied at intervals of three weeks. Suitable for feeding:

• Organic fertilizers;
• Special fertilizers for bulbous plants;
• Universal mixes.

Diseases and pests

The main cause of Gemantus diseases is a combination of humidity and high temperature. A favorable environment promotes the development of diseases such as gray rot. Obvious signs of the disease are necrotic spots on the leaves. The cardinal way to get rid of it is to destroy the entire plant and disinfect the dishes, the windowsill. Processing with special means gives practically no results. It is unlikely that it will be possible to cure the plant, but it is very easy to infect other plants.

Gemantus has a lot of pest enemies: thrips, aphids, thyroid glands, spider mites. You can save the plant by washing off the pest colonies with soapy water, without missing a single leaf. Water the soil around the bulb with a special solution that destroys pests hidden in the soil.