Kniphofia UVARIA

Kniphofia UVARIA - Red hot poker, Kniphofia uvaria, Torch lily, Tritoma.

Kniphofia is a genus of perennial herbaceous plants in the subfamily Asphodeloideae. It numbers about 75 species, among which evergreen ones predominate. Most of them grow in southern Africa, in Madagascar, and in the east of the African continent. Some varieties can be found in the mountains at altitudes up to 4,000 m (13,123 ft).

The height of these exotic plants varies between 60-150 cm (24-59 in). In cultivation the plant is not long-lived, but it flowers for several seasons in a row. In nature they are often found in waterlogged locations, such as along riverbanks and reservoir edges, where they form large thickets.

The stem is a bare, round, thick peduncle emerging from the center of the rosette in July - September. The rhizomes are long and yellowish in color. Leaves are sword-shaped, with fine serrations along the margin, dense, leathery, gray-green, gathered in a dense basal rosette. In the axils of the lowest leaves, buds form from which stolons up to 15 cm (5.9 in) long develop, giving rise to new individuals.

Inflorescences are dense, of an elongated ovate shape or nearly spherical. The buds are bright red, and the flowers can be yellow, orange, and red. Opening of the flowers begins from the lower part, then the process encompasses the entire inflorescence. Thus, the inflorescence is spectacularly divided into two differently colored parts. The flowers gradually open in July and adorn the garden for two months. The ornamental quality will be preserved right up to late autumn.

Red hot poker is a species of perennial, beautifully flowering herbaceous plants cultivated in many parts of the world as a spectacular ornamental garden plant. This species is one of the tallest: peduncles reach a height of 2 m (6.6 ft), and the length of spike-like inflorescences is 25 cm (9.8 in).

From seeds, it is grown via the seedling method. Sowing is carried out in the last days of March or in early April. It is necessary to preliminarily disinfect the flower potting soil; the seeds themselves do not need preliminary preparation.

Seeds are sown into loose floral substrate to a depth of 0.5-1 cm (0.2-0.4 in), 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). Seedlings need ventilation. It is necessary to avoid waterlogging and drying out of the sowings.

The first seedlings should appear after 15-20 days. This crop reacts extremely negatively to sudden cold spells, as well as damp and cool weather. Planting seedlings into open ground is carried out in July after warm weather establishes.

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For planting the plant, sunny locations on knolls and nutritious soil capable of absorbing a large amount of water are suitable. Excess moisture can harm the plant. During planting, there must be at least 30 cm (11.8 in) between two plants.

During the first season when the plant is planted into open ground, it is necessary to moisten the soil in a timely but moderate manner, and carry out weeding and loosening of the soil. Watering is carried out only after the upper soil layer dries out. In hot and arid weather, the plant should be watered more frequently.

Feeding of the clumps is carried out at the beginning of the spring period before green stems grow, or during bud formation. For this, nitrogen-containing fertilizers or organics are used, and when the clump finishes flowering, it is fed with potassium mineral fertilizer.

First flowering can only be seen from the second season, provided the root system of the plant has strengthened well. On a spent clump, all flower stalks must be cut out, but the foliage should not be touched. When preparing the plant for winter, its leaf blades are gently tied together, the clump itself is covered with a layer of peat crumbs, and spruce boughs are placed on top. A waterproof covering material is placed over it.

By digging up and bringing the clump indoors for winter, its life can be extended. Re-planting into open ground is carried out in the final spring or first summer weeks. Also, the end of April is a suitable period for dividing rhizomes.