CATDOLL : CATDOLL: What is the cultivation method of the bulbous flower spider orchid (water demon banana)?

1. The morphological characteristics are that it is an evergreen bulbous flower of the Amaryllis family. The bulb is large and 7 to 10 cm thick. The leaves are sword-shaped, 50 to 80 cm long, 3 to 6 cm wide, and blunt at the tip. The scape is flat, growing out of the leaf cluster, 30 to 70 cm high, and composed of multiple flowers in an umbel. The flowers are sessile, the tube is 15 to 18 cm long, the perianth is linear, white; the lower part of the stamens is fused into a funnel-shaped corona. It blooms in summer and autumn (Figure 52).

2. Types and varieties

(1) The corolla of the beautiful spider orchid is 23 cm long, with 10 to 15 snow-white, fragrant flowers on each stalk. The flower tube is green. It blooms in late autumn.

(2) The scape of the blue spider orchid is 60 to 100 cm high, with 2 to 4 flowers on each scape; the flowers are white and fragrant; the flower tube is green.

(3) Yellow spider orchid has a triangular prism-shaped scape, with 3 to 6 flowers on each scape; the flowers are large, yellow, drooping, and fragrant; the flower tube is 6 to 9 cm long, green, and blooms from June to July.

3. Habits: It is native to tropical America. It likes warm and humid climate and plenty of sunshine, but cannot tolerate the scorching sun in the north. It is not cold-resistant and requires loose soil rich in humus. It can also grow in acidic clay.

4. Propagation method: Every year, small bulbs can be produced from the stem disk of each large bulb. They can be broken off and planted as propagation materials.

5. Cultivation and maintenance: When planting in the ground, dig out the bulbs in autumn after the leaves turn yellow, and store them in a low-temperature room at about 8°C for wintering after sufficient sun drying; in April of the following year, store the bulbs in a place where the sun can shine to promote the sprouting of young roots. At the same time, the land should be deeply plowed and a large amount of organic fertilizer should be applied. Planting should be done in late May; the spacing between plants should be 15 to 20 cm, and the soil should be covered with a thickness of 2 to 3 cm. Water after planting to keep the soil moist.

In the north, it is used as a potted plant for viewing. It should be planted in a 25 cm diameter pot with humus culture soil. It should be shaded in spring and summer, placed under sparse shade in autumn, and exposed to more oblique sunlight when maintained indoors in winter. Apply liquid fertilizer every 10 days from May to June, and spray water frequently to increase air humidity; repot and change soil once every 2 years, combined with transplanting bulbs.