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This week’s plant is for you bulb lovers! This is Rhodophiala Advena.
A native to Chile, Uruguay and Argentina and it grows in the wild., but can be grown in your garden or in a container.
Plant Profile:
Name: Rhodophiala advena
Family: Amaryllidaceae
synonym: Hippeastrum advenum.
Category: bulbous plant; perennial
Height: Up to 16in; spread 6 – 8 inches
Colors: reds, pinks, whites, yellows and some variegated.
Growing habit: clump forming
Foliage and flower characteristics: medium, basal, gray-green leaves. Leafless stem which carries a head of 2 – 8 narrowly funnel-shaped leaves, approximately 2″ in length.
Care requirements:
Bloom time Range: Late Summer – to early Fall
USDA Hardiness Zone: 9 to 10
Light Range: Full Sun
pH Range: 5.5 to 6.5
Soil Range: almost any type of soil, including heavy clay. Plant requires good drainage.
Water Range: Normal to Moist
Fertilization – every 2-3 weeks with a half-strength balance liquid feed.
Pests and diseases: infrequent but can suffer from root rot if not in well draining soil.
Propagation: Can be propagated by seed or division.
To grow from seed, material must be sown as fresh as possible. Sow seeds at 61°F (16°C).. Seeds can be floated in water with good germination. Good seeds will germinate in 2-3 days. However, they can be sown directly under 1/8-1/4 inch of potting mix with good results. Sowing of seeds must coincide with the growing season. Check periodically for germination. When the radicle appears, pot up the germinated seeds. Seedlings will grow well with a little dilute fertilizer and may remain in growth for the first 2 years. These plants are known for their preference of deep pots and will usually put their bulbs at the bottom of even very deep pots. Adult bulbs should be grown in a low organic mix (1:3 organic:inorganic). Keep dry when dormant.
If growing in container: Grow these in a very well draining mix (1:9 organic:inorganic) in a terracotta pot. These bulbs like to be planted deep. They dislike root disturbance, but can be re-potted every 3 years.
If growing outdoors in a warm climate, they can remain in the ground. Make sure to plant bulbs 6 – 8 inches deep. Outdoors, the plants can be transplanted or propagated, but do so when in dormancy by removing offsets in either autumn or winter. If dividing or transplanting, do not expect the plant to bloom for that year. You will get foliage, but may not get flowers.