Ornithogalum DUBIUM

Ornithogalum DUBIUM - Dubious star-of-Bethlehem, Ornithogalum dubium, Orange star.

Ornithogalum is a genus of bulbous plants in the family Asparagaceae, comprising more than 150 species distributed in Europe, Asia, and South Africa. Most species are known by the common name "star-of-Bethlehem" and are grown for their showy flowering.

Plants of this genus form a basal rosette of narrow or linear leaves, and an erect flower stalk develops from the center with an inflorescence of numerous starry flowers. Flower coloration varies from white to bright orange and yellow. The bulb is ovate, covered with scales. Flowering usually occurs in spring or early summer.

Ornithogalum dubium is a perennial bulbous plant 20-40 cm (7.9-15.7 in) tall. The leaves are linear, green, with a slight glaucous tint, appearing simultaneously with the flower stalk. The inflorescence is a raceme of 10-20 large flowers of bright orange color with a dark center and silky petal texture.

It blooms in late spring or early summer. Flowering is abundant and prolonged; each flower stalk opens flowers sequentially over 2-3 weeks. After flowering ends, the aboveground part dies back and the bulb enters dormancy. The fruits are capsules with numerous small black seeds.

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

Seeds are sown in a mixture of sand and peat, moistened from a spray bottle, covered with film, and germinated in the light, but not in the sun, at a temperature of 20-25 °C (68-77 °F). Seedlings need ventilation. It is necessary to avoid waterlogging and drying out of sowings.

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

Seedlings appear after 14-21 days. The maximum possible germination time is up to 30 days. Pricking out is carried out after the appearance of 2-3 true leaves. Planting of bulbs is carried out to a depth of 6-10 cm (2.4-3.9 in), at a distance of 15-20 cm (5.9-7.9 in) from each other. After planting in the planting hole, the bulb is watered thoroughly. Seedlings develop slowly but steadily. The first repotting of young bulblets grown from seeds is recommended no earlier than after one year.

© Greeniverse. All rights reserved.

It is placed on a sunny windowsill or in a winter garden. Bright illumination is required; direct sunlight is not contraindicated. During the active growth period, good ventilation is provided.

The temperature during the growing season is maintained at 20-25 °C (68-77 °F). After the leaves die back, the bulb is moved to a dry, dark place at a temperature of 10-15 °C (50-59 °F). Watering is carried out moderately, only after the top layer of soil dries out.

A loose substrate with the addition of sand and humus is used. Planting is performed in shallow pots; drainage is mandatory. Repotting is carried out annually at the beginning of growth. Planting depth is about 4 cm (1.6 in).

During the growth period, fertilizers for flowering plants are applied once every 2 weeks. After flowering ends, feeding is stopped. During dormancy, fertilizers are not applied.

Shaping is not required. Propagation is carried out by seeds or bulblets separated during repotting. Flowering is possible after 2-3 years from seeds and after 1 year from bulblets.