Bomarea MULTIFLORA

Bomarea MULTIFLORA - Multicolored bomarea, Bomarea CALDASII, Caldas bomarea, Colombian Climbing Lily, Bomarea multiflora.

Bomarea is a genus of unique twining and climbing lianas, as well as herbaceous rhizomatous and tuberous herbs in the alstroemeria family (Alstroemeriaceae), comprising around 120 species. The natural native range covers Central and South America, where an extensive assortment of species is represented.

To a greater extent, these are ornamental plants with stem heights up to 5 m (16.4 ft) in the presence of a support. Leaf blades are lanceolate and narrow-lanceolate in shape, arranged spirally around the stem. As a rule, foliage is smooth, less often pubescent. A distinctive feature is resupination (twisting) in the petiole region.

Flowering begins in late May and can continue until August. Buds are gathered in umbels or compound racemes. Up to 40 flowers can be counted in a single inflorescence, and in some species up to 100. The size of each flower is 3-6 cm (1.2-2.4 in), which makes the plant prominent during flowering. Flowers are bell-shaped or tubular with bright red or yellow coloration.

Bomarea multiflora is a tuberous herbaceous perennial liana. Stem length in the presence of a support can reach 5 m (16.4 ft). Leaf blades are narrow-lanceolate, elongated, with alternate arrangement. Foliage length is 7-15 cm (2.8-5.9 in) with pale green coloration. Flowers are narrow-campanulate, up to 5 cm (2 in). Bud coloration is orange with a brown pattern. A globose inflorescence can count up to 40 flowers. The flowering period is from late spring to early autumn. The native range extends from Ecuador to Colombia.

Seeds require a period of cold-moist stratification in the germination process. For this, seeds are sown in a moist substrate, covered with a layer of soil, moistened from a spray bottle, covered with film, and germinated in light at a temperature of 20-25 °C (68-77 °F).

After 3 weeks, the container with sowings is moved to the refrigerator onto the bottom shelf or into a cellar at 5-10 °C (41-50 °F). After a month of chilling, the sowing is again moved into warm conditions with a temperature up to 25 °C (77 °F). Sprouts require ventilation. It is necessary to avoid waterlogging and drying out of sowings.

After 3 months have passed, young shoots appear. The plant flowers in the first year of growth.

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For normal growth and development, Bomarea needs to be provided with proper care. It should be planted in a well-lit location or in partial shade. When grown outdoors, it is important to prevent frost damage. As a houseplant, it feels great at 15-22 °C (59-72 °F).

The soil should be fertile and with neutral acidity. An excellent option is peat and sod soil in a 2:1 ratio. Fertilizer is applied 3-4 times during the growing season. It is predominantly recommended to use mineral fertilizers. During the budding period, nitrogen application is minimized.

Watering is carried out when the top crust of the soil dries out. It is important to prevent waterlogging of the root system. Representatives require periodic pruning, which is performed after the flowering period. At the same time, there is the possibility of propagating the plant with rhizome divisions, which simplifies the propagation process substantially.