Kirtansus - Kirtansus

A bulbous plant of the Amaryllidaceae family (APG classification: Amaryllidaceae). About 50 species are distributed mainly in South Africa, including tropical Africa. The English name fire lily comes from the fact that it suddenly blooms in the wilderness after the spring wildfires that are common in South Africa. It is a semi-cold-resistant bulb, and except for types 2 and 3, the bulb circumference is less than 10 cm. Most bloom in spring, but some also bloom in summer and autumn, and some varieties bloom without a dormant period. When transplanting bulbs, the roots are left attached and planted. The popular McKenney variety, which has a fragrant scent, has a thin stem about 23 cm tall and leaves about 18 cm long and 0.5 cm wide. The flowers are small, white, pink, or pale yellow, and have tubular 6-petal flowers with 6 lobes at the petal tips. The best times to replant are in early spring and early autumn, and 5 bulbs should be planted in a 5-inch pot with the tops of the bulbs visible. Use plenty of fertilizer such as oil cake, give plenty of water, and use soil with good drainage. In winter, keep the temperature above 3°C, and if using a cold frame, use straw mulch, refrain from irrigation, and start irrigating as the weather warms in spring. There are many varieties, including those from the tropics, and each one is grown differently, so care must be taken.

[Torasaburo Kawabata January 21, 2019]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

ヒガンバナ科（APG分類：ヒガンバナ科）の球根草。南アフリカを中心に熱帯アフリカも含めて約50種が分布する。英名ファイアリリーfire lilyは、南アフリカの春に多い野火のあとの原野に忽然(こつぜん)と咲くことによる。半耐寒性の鱗茎(りんけい)の球根で、2、3を除いては球周10センチメートル以下。春咲きが多いが、夏・秋咲きもあり、休眠期なしに咲く品種もあり、分球移植は根をつけたままにして植え付ける。芳香があるので人気のあるマッケニー種は茎は細く高さ23センチメートルくらい、葉は長さ18センチメートル、幅0.5センチメートルくらい。花は小さく、白、桃、淡黄色で、筒状6弁花で弁先が6裂。早春、早秋の両期が植え換え期で、鉢植えは5号鉢に5球植えとし、球根は上部がみえるくらいとする。肥料は油かすなど多めにし、水も多く与え、排水のよい用土がよい。冬は3℃以上とし、冷床などの場合は敷き藁(わら)をし、灌水(かんすい)を控え、春暖とともに灌水を始める。品種が多く、熱帯産のものもあり、栽培はおのおの違うので注意を要する。

［川畑寅三郎　2019年1月21日］

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