Veltheimia lilies are bulb plants of the cape of Africa. They look quite different from other bulb flowers. Those differences have earned them a variety of common names including winter Veltheimia, forest lily, sand onion, sand lily, red hot poker and elephant’s eye.
Different species of Veltheimia lilies bloom at different times. Forest lilies (Veltheimia bracteata) bloom in the late winter or early spring, while Veltheimia capensis blooms in autumn and winter.
They are most often called forest lily or cape lily. That’s because their native habitat is the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa where they grow in forested coastal scrub areas. Forest lily bulbs first produce foliage, a rosette of elongated, strappy green leaves. But in late winter or early spring, forest lily flowers appear.
Temperature: Optimal temperature after the appearance of leaves in September – 59-64,4 ° F, up to 75,2 ° F, in November – 50-53,6 ° F, in winter it is desirable to contain at a temperature of 46,4-50 ° F. Not observing the temperature regime, it is difficult to ensure the flowering of the plant.
Light: Veltheimia capensis requires lighted places glare, at least 3 hours per day directional light. Suitable south and south-west, as well as east and west windows. for Veltheimiabracteata more suitable for partial shade, north window.
Soil: Fertile, loose, acidic soil is suitable. You can take : 1 part of the garden land, 1 part of coarse sand or perlite, 1 part of wet peat or humus (leafy earth) and lime. Good drainage and a pot with a hole is required.
Watering: In the period of flowering and growth (in autumn and winter) the soil should be moderately moist, watered every 3-6 days. Water very moderately, trying not to fall on the bulb. During the rest period, the soil should be kept moderately moist, watered rarely.
Fertilizer: Feed up with liquid fertilizer once a month during the period of growth and flowering. Stop fertilizing after flowering, as the plant is not fertilized during the first 4 months after transplantation.
Care
This species needs to grow in full sun in order to flower, it also requires a well drained humus rich soil.
Plant in good soil with the top of the bulb just above the soil level.
Water in well with a liquid seaweed fertiliser.
When the foliage is in active growth, water during dry periods.
Fertilise with a liquid fertiliser when in active growth.
Cut back on water as the plants enter dormancy in summer.
This is another species also suited to growing in pots.
Propagation
After a few years the bulbs will multiply and can be divided, the best time to do this is in late summer.
Seed can be collected from the pods that often appear after the flowers.
Propagation is also possible from seed. Thee seed is best sown when fresh, sow it in trays in a seed raising mix covered by a thin layer of soil. Keep the trays in a shaded position with a little moisture. Germination should occur within 4 weeks.
Seed
Propagation by seed is generally very successful. Bulbs must be planted during autumn, at or just below ground level, and left undisturbed for a long period. New bulbs should flower after one season.
Problems
Apart from the occasional slug or snail, Forest lilies have no particular pests or diseases.
Different species of Veltheimia lilies bloom at different times. Forest lilies (Veltheimia bracteata) bloom in the late winter or early spring, while Veltheimia capensis blooms in autumn and winter.
They are most often called forest lily or cape lily. That’s because their native habitat is the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa where they grow in forested coastal scrub areas. Forest lily bulbs first produce foliage, a rosette of elongated, strappy green leaves. But in late winter or early spring, forest lily flowers appear.
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Temperature: Optimal temperature after the appearance of leaves in September – 59-64,4 ° F, up to 75,2 ° F, in November – 50-53,6 ° F, in winter it is desirable to contain at a temperature of 46,4-50 ° F. Not observing the temperature regime, it is difficult to ensure the flowering of the plant.
Light: Veltheimia capensis requires lighted places glare, at least 3 hours per day directional light. Suitable south and south-west, as well as east and west windows. for Veltheimiabracteata more suitable for partial shade, north window.
Soil: Fertile, loose, acidic soil is suitable. You can take : 1 part of the garden land, 1 part of coarse sand or perlite, 1 part of wet peat or humus (leafy earth) and lime. Good drainage and a pot with a hole is required.
Watering: In the period of flowering and growth (in autumn and winter) the soil should be moderately moist, watered every 3-6 days. Water very moderately, trying not to fall on the bulb. During the rest period, the soil should be kept moderately moist, watered rarely.
Fertilizer: Feed up with liquid fertilizer once a month during the period of growth and flowering. Stop fertilizing after flowering, as the plant is not fertilized during the first 4 months after transplantation.
Care
This species needs to grow in full sun in order to flower, it also requires a well drained humus rich soil.
Plant in good soil with the top of the bulb just above the soil level.
Water in well with a liquid seaweed fertiliser.
When the foliage is in active growth, water during dry periods.
Fertilise with a liquid fertiliser when in active growth.
Cut back on water as the plants enter dormancy in summer.
This is another species also suited to growing in pots.
Propagation
After a few years the bulbs will multiply and can be divided, the best time to do this is in late summer.
Seed can be collected from the pods that often appear after the flowers.
Propagation is also possible from seed. Thee seed is best sown when fresh, sow it in trays in a seed raising mix covered by a thin layer of soil. Keep the trays in a shaded position with a little moisture. Germination should occur within 4 weeks.
Seed
Propagation by seed is generally very successful. Bulbs must be planted during autumn, at or just below ground level, and left undisturbed for a long period. New bulbs should flower after one season.
Problems
Apart from the occasional slug or snail, Forest lilies have no particular pests or diseases.
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