Ornithogalum CAUDATUM

Ornithogalum CAUDATUM - Sea onion, False sea onion, Pregnant onion, Indian onion, Albuca BRACTEATA.

Ornithogalum is a genus of bulbous perennials in the asparagus family (Asparagaceae), comprising more than 150 species growing in southern Europe and widely distributed across Africa, Western Asia, and the Caucasus, where they occur in fields, uncultivated land, along roadsides, or in open understories.

The roots of Ornithogalum resemble ovoid bulbs. The average size in diameter is 35 mm (1.4 in). The main bulb produces small bulblet offsets for reproduction. The stem is slender, unbranched. They are modest in height, reaching their greatest height during the flowering period, varying from 10 cm to 1 m (4 in to 3.3 ft).

From early spring until the very beginning of summer, Ornithogalum delights with its flowering - above squat rosettes of linear leaves, six-petaled star-shaped flowers 2-3 cm (0.8-1.2 in) in diameter open, gathered into inflorescences. The petals are slender, elongated. Pyramidal or short ones also occur. In some species the flowers point upward, in others horizontally or downward. The flowers have three petals and three sepals, with six stamens. The ovary is black or greenish-yellow. The flowers can be yellow, orange, red, or white.

Sea onion has ovoid bulbs partially situated above the ground, forming clusters. The bulb diameter is 3-10 cm (1.2-4 in). Larger bulbs produce small bulblets on their sides. The roots are white, cylindrical, and succulent. The leaves grow in a rosette and have a strap-like shape, tapering to the tip. They can reach lengths of 30-100 cm (12-39 in). The scape is erect, cylindrical, 45-90 cm (18-35 in) in height. The inflorescence is moderately dense, 15-30 cm (6-12 in) long, on which there can be up to 50-300 small, fragrant white flowers with green central stripes.

Seeds require stratification; they are kept for 3-4 months in a cold environment at a temperature of 4-5 °C (39-41 °F). Under home conditions, seeds are placed on the bottom shelf of a refrigerator. In our store, seeds are kept in a cold environment; check the duration of completed dry stratification.

Seeds are sown into a mixture of sand and peat, moistened from a spray bottle, covered with film, and germinated in light, but not in direct sun, at a temperature of 20-25 °C (68-77 °F). Sprouts require ventilation. Overwatering and overdrying of the sowings must be avoided.

Much the same way, many gardeners sow seeds of tomatoes, peppers, and other garden crops in spring to raise seedlings for subsequent transplanting into open ground.

Pricking out is performed after the fourth true leaf appears. Planting of bulbs is carried out to a depth of 6-10 cm (2.4-4 in), at a distance of 15-20 cm (6-8 in) from one another. After planting into the hole, the bulb is watered thoroughly. The first repotting of young bulblets grown from seeds is recommended no earlier than after one year.

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With proper care, Ornithogalum is minimally demanding. This is an undemanding plant, where all procedures come down to watering, fertilizing, and preparation for winter.

Ornithogalum is comfortable in any location, the most important thing being that it is sheltered from winds by shrubs or trees. In nature it occurs high in the mountains, with high solar insolation, so lighting must be sufficient; otherwise, chlorosis may appear on the leaves. In the case of indoor cultivation, the temperature should be at 22-30 °C (72-86 °F). Chilling the plant must not be allowed, as it is dangerous for it.

The bulb of Ornithogalum tolerates underwatering well, and overwatering poorly. Excess moisture can lead to decay and fungal disease. During the flowering period, watering should actually be reduced for three weeks. The plant responds well to spraying with room-temperature water. However, if room ventilation is poor, it is better to limit care to wiping the leaves with a damp cloth.

The soil must be well-drained. Garden soil with low organic matter content, slightly peaty, and with a near-neutral pH is ideal. Repotting is done in August; the distance between bulbs should be 15 cm (6 in). Rooting of bulbs occurs throughout the autumn.

If the plant is planted in open ground, frequent feeding is not required. The strong root system is capable of supplying the plant with all necessary elements.

Ornithogalum is propagated by seeds or by means of division, with which young and strong plants can be obtained in a short period. In this case, offsets are separated from plants aged 5-7 years. For this, the bulb is dug up, cleaned of soil residue, and dried in the sun, after which daughter bulblets with roots are separated from the large bulb.