The torch flower (Kniphofia uvaria), also known as the "torch lotus", its flowers are large and long, like a large inflorescence like a torch, its flower stem can grow to a height of one meter, the fragmented tidbits can continue to open, the flower color has common red, yellow, orange and green, etc., it is a relatively hardy herbaceous flower.
The torch flower is a plant belonging to the genus Aphorus in the family Afu, and aloe vera is a plant of different genera in the same family, so their flowers are somewhat similar. If you look at it from a distance, you will feel that the flowers of these torch flowers are very similar to those of aloe vera, and they are close relatives after all.
Above the left are torch flowers, and on the right are aloe vera flowers
There are many varieties of torch flowers (several common varieties can be bought in China), you can choose your favorite flower color, and even some varieties of flowers are gradient colors. The torch flower has good environmental adaptability, which is very suitable for arranging the flower environment and looks very tropical.
The torch flower is a very good companion plant, which is very suitable for growing with ornamental plants such as African lilies, black-eyed Susan, cannabis, dahlias, sage, aster flowers or iron chopsticks.
The torch flower usually begins to bloom after the spring is warm, and its upright spike-like inflorescence can be seen until the beginning of autumn.
The leaves of the torch flower are sword-shaped, so it is sometimes called "sword leaf orchid", and it will bear fruit after flowering, and its seeds are particularly small.
1. Give plenty of light
Before planting torch flowers, we must ensure that the environment is suitable for it to grow, it is best to have a full-day environment, if it is maintained on the balcony, at least 6 to 8 hours of direct light per day, it can tolerate a certain shade, in the heat (more than 33 degrees), noon and afternoon can be properly shaded.
2. Strong cold resistance
Torch flowers are more like a cool and dry environment, planting to ensure that the environment is warm, if the winter temperature is relatively low, especially in places below zero, the torch flowers will wither in winter (typical root plants, good hardiness), but the rhizome will not be frozen to death, in the winter to lay a thick cover, let it safely overwinter, spring warm and then remove the cover.
3. Prevent slugs and snails from eating flower spikes
The maintenance of the torch flower is rarely infected with pests and diseases, which is also a big reason why it is loved. If the environment is overly shaded, it may provoke slugs or snails, two pests that like to eat the spikes of torch flowers.
4. The timing of planting
Planting torch flowers is best to choose in the spring and autumn, this time the weather is cool, its growth rate is relatively fast, after planting can quickly resume growth.
If it is planted in the field, it is necessary to do a good job of drainage, each plant must have at least 40 cm gap, and the planting environment should be kept well ventilated, so that diseases and insect pests can be avoided.
There are some short torch flower varieties that can be cultivated into pots, it is necessary to prepare a drainage hole, more pots, and so on, after the torch flower plants continue to grow, they must change the pots after the annual spring warmth.
Whenever the flowers of the torch flower fail, pay attention to cutting off the remaining flowers in time. After the leaves have withered in winter, they can be properly pruned before the spring is warm, so that they can re-grow new healthy leaves and promote the next flowering.
5. Soil and fertilizer
Planting torch flowers should pay attention to matching it with the right soil, it is not too picky about potting soil, but afraid of poor soil drainage, if the soil continues to be wet, it is easy to get root rot. If you want to make the torch flowers bloom, you also need to give sufficient fertility soil, generally choose a fertile and loose neutral soil, such as using peat soil with saprophyll soil and coarse sand, mixing in a 5:3:2 ratio, and appropriately mixing into slow-release fertilizer.
In the daily maintenance process of torch flower, as long as it is growing, it is necessary to pay attention to the application of thin fertilizer diligently, generally every 2 to 3 weeks to supplement the use of fertilizer, in the spring and autumn to give a slow release fertilizer, so that it can meet its growth needs.
6. Pay attention to watering
The maintenance of torch flowers should avoid excessive frequent watering, otherwise it is easy to be infected with root rot. When the weather gradually becomes colder in late autumn, it is even more necessary to control watering, and when its plants gradually wither, they must stop watering and keep the soil dry.
Usually in the spring, summer and autumn seasons (peak growing season), you can ensure that the 3 cm under the potting soil is dry, and then water it in time.
7. Propagation in separate plants
Later, if you want to propagate torch flowers, you will generally use the method of dividing the plants, generally after the spring warmth, dig up its rhizomes, separate the side branches that grow from the torch flowers, transplant the relatively small parts to a new place, and after planting, water thoroughly, first shade and maintenance for a week or two, and then gradually see the light.