Androcymbium DREGEI

Androcymbium DREGEI - Drege's androcymbium, Autumn crocus, Meadow saffron, Colchicum.

Androcymbium is a genus of winter-growing cormous plants in the family Colchicaceae, comprising approximately 40 species. In the wild, these plants are distributed in dry tropical or subtropical zones of central and western Asia, across African countries, and throughout the Mediterranean.

Representatives of the genus are perennial geophytic herbs. The fleshy part of the plant containing nutrient reserves is hidden beneath the soil. A short, mostly subterranean stem grows from an asymmetric corm buried deep in the ground, covered with a tough, dark-brown tunic.

At least 2 leaves rise above the ground surface, forming a deep rosette around the inflorescence. Basal leaf blades 6-15 mm (0.2-0.6 in) wide are usually longer than the flowers, tapering from base to tip. The shape of the leaves varies from broad and rounded in some species to pointed and very narrow in others.

In autumn and spring, Androcymbium produces terminal capitate inflorescences of 1-6 flowers that visually always appear clustered together. White, red, pinkish, lilac, or green tones dominate the coloration of the inflorescences. The number of segments is two or more. The outlines of the flowers vary considerably, from a rounded "egg" to a pointed "star". Flowering occurs in winter. The fruit is a capsule containing seeds.

Drege's androcymbium is endemic to the arid regions of southern Africa, from Namaqualand to the Karoo. It grows on semi-desert plateaus and intermontane valleys. It blooms in winter.

Seeds are pre-soaked in water or placed into a moisture-retentive substrate (perlite, zeolite), creating a greenhouse, and kept in a humid environment at a temperature of 23-30 °C (73-86 °F) for 8 weeks. The sowing is then moved to a shaded place, where it is kept at a temperature of 10-15 °C (50-59 °F) until germination.

If during the period of keeping seeds in a humid environment the night temperature drops by 10 °C (18 °F) compared to daytime, there is a chance of inducing earlier germination.

Germinated seeds are planted into well-drained soil covered with 1-2 cm (0.4-0.8 in) of sand and left outdoors. On warm days, the soil must be moist. When pricking out the plants, daughter corms are separated from mother corms. Only daughter corms are replanted.

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The plant should be protected from scorching sunlight; the optimal option is to place the flower on a windowsill and provide light shading. Androcymbium is capable of surviving under various temperature conditions and is resistant to brief light frosts. During the dormant period, coolness is required.

The plant is accustomed to dry soil, and when watering it is important not to overmoisten the substrate. A flowering plant requires more generous watering, but waterlogging is fatal. Misting is carried out exclusively during the winter period.

It requires well-drained soil. Both alkaline and slightly acidic soils are suitable, including light clay. A single plant requires a soil volume roughly three times the size of the bulb itself. The soil should be loosened periodically.

Once every 2-3 years, during the dormant period, waiting until the leaves turn yellow, the corms are dug up. Soil and remaining leaves are gently removed from them. Mother corms are separated from daughter corms, which will be used for planting. They are washed with running water, then disinfected for half an hour in a potassium permanganate solution. After drying, the corms are kept in a dry shaded place until planting. The corms should be replanted into pre-fertilized soil.

Fertilizing is performed using a weak solution of complete mineral fertilizer containing nitrogen. The required concentration is 2 g of fertilizer per liter of water (0.27 oz per gallon), calculated at 30 g of substance per 1 square meter (1 oz per sq yd) of planting area. In autumn, the soil is enriched with compost.

Thus, caring for this plant is uncomplicated. This plant is relatively undemanding.