Albuca VISCOSA

Albuca VISCOSA - Sticky albuca, Albuca viscosa.

A very unusual plant!

Albuca is a genus of monocotyledonous plants in the family Asparagaceae, 100-120 species of which are distributed predominantly in Southern Africa, where they bear the local name 'temaraka'; a small number of species occur in tropical Africa and on the Arabian Peninsula.

In many species, white flowers with a green stripe or margin closely resemble the flowers of star-of-Bethlehem (Ornithogalum), to which Albuca was long referred, placing it first in the lily family (Liliaceae), then in Hyacinthaceae. The number of species in the genus was estimated at various times from 30 to 100 species; according to recent data, there are more than 150.

Bulbous plants with succulent leaves from 8 cm to 1.2 m (3.1 in to 3.9 ft) long, flat or with keeled ridges. Curly leaves twisted into spirals present great ornamental value. The degree of leaf curling depends on heat, amount of light, and plant clone. The sap is sticky.

Flowering occurs during the spring period - a thick, fleshy, glaucous peduncle up to 60 cm (24 in) high appears, bearing a loose raceme including up to 10-20 nodding flowers 3 cm (1.2 in) in diameter, arranged on pedicels up to 4 cm (1.6 in) long, with small pointed bracts. The corolla is bell-shaped, with 6 petal-like lobes arranged in two whorls - three hovering, reflexed nearly horizontally, and three directed downward, sheltering 3 long stamens and the pistil. The flowers are self-pollinating.

Corolla coloration ranges from pale yellow to greenish, with a broad green stripe down the center of the petals and yellow margins. The flowers possess a faint creamy-vanilla aroma, reminiscent of the scent of butter cookies. Interestingly, scents in albucas are complex, difficult to describe, and are characteristic only of those species that have flowers in yellow-green tones; species with white flowers are unscented.

After flowering, fruits form - small capsules with black shiny seeds.

Sticky albuca is a perennial bulbous plant. During the hot period of the African summer, it is in a state of dormancy, shedding its foliage and preserving its round, flattened, whitish bulbs underground. With the onset of cool and dry winter weather, fibrous white roots grow out; by spring the plant revives, forming a basal rosette of coiled leaves.

Seeds are sown on the surface of soil for succulents, moistened with a spray bottle, covered with film, and germinated in light but not in direct sun at a temperature of 26-28 °C (79-82 °F). Seedlings require ventilation. Waterlogging and drying out of the crops must be avoided.

Emergence of seedlings takes from 2 weeks to several months. Seedlings are watered very cautiously, preventing waterlogging. Initially the leaves emerge straight and begin to curl only after several months, provided there is bright lighting. In the very first year, a small bulb forms. Flowering occurs in the 3rd year.

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Albuca does not tolerate temperatures below 5 °C (41 °F), so in northern latitudes it is suitable only for a windowsill or, rather, a cool greenhouse.

Growing conditions should imitate the natural environment and the natural developmental cycle. And the main difficulty is creating cool conditions during the active vegetative period. To achieve flowering in April, it is necessary to provide the following conditions starting from late November or early December: during the day, air temperature should not exceed 10-15 °C (50-59 °F), and at night a drop to 6-10 °C (43-50 °F) is permissible. An important aspect is sufficient light; optimal illumination is in the range of 2500 to 3500 lux.

The soil required is light, permeable, well-drained, containing coarse sand. A mix for succulents is well suited. Watering must be limited (after all, this is a desert plant), becoming more generous only during active growth. Overwatering is strictly unacceptable. Feeding is carried out with specialized succulent fertilizers that contain low concentrations of mineral nutrients.

Flowering begins 5 months after planting the bulb and occurs in April-May. It is long-lasting, about 10 weeks. With the end of flowering, it is necessary to apply the final plant feeding and restrict watering. Waiting for the foliage to die back, watering is suspended until late autumn; during this time the pot with the bulb can be set aside for storage at room temperature. In late autumn, the plant is transplanted into fresh soil, watering is gradually resumed, and it is moved to a well-lit cool windowsill.