What is tuberose and what are its characteristics?
This is a widely used plant, mainly in events such as fifteen years and weddings, as it is a very beautiful plant, an incomparable flower, which also gives off a captivating aroma, scientifically this plant is known as Polianthes tuberosa, although it is not a name that is used very often among people, because it is easier to simply say Nardo.
Its origin is Mexican, since in this nation there is a tropical and cool climate, ideal temperatures for this plant. As for its color, it is usually white and is the most used, however, there may be some with blue tones and others with pink.
Other names under which this plant is known are:
- amoles
- Rod of Saint Joseph
- Tuberous
So it can vary from one population to another, but it is referring to the same plant; the family to which it belongs is the so-called Amaryllidaceae, the belonging class is the Monocot and the genus is the polianthes.
On the other hand, its measurements can vary, but mostly it reaches a meter in length, for its part the leaves can reach thirty centimeters, these can be grooved. These types of plants should be planted when spring is beginning, since it is during these dates that the climate remains mild, there is good sun and it can be watered regularly.
Besides providing a rich aroma and a splendid landscape, it can also yield an oil that you can extract from its roots and use to make either a perfume or incense, allowing you to enjoy its wonderful scent for longer. For more information on fragrances that leave a lasting impression, you can visit this link about women's perfumes.
The main uses of tuberose flowers
As mentioned at the beginning, this plant is very useful to decorate different events, since its beauty allows it, in addition, the place will become pleasant with the smell it gives off; but that is not the only use, also to make perfumes for your use or for sale if you prefer using its stem.
Likewise, other important and beneficial uses of this plant can be listed, such as its medicinal properties, as is the case with the Insulin Plant and many others, since in this case it has effects on the following: insomnia, reduces stress, is beneficial for infections, and is also beneficial for problems of the immune system.
Likewise, if the stem is consumed, it can help with the uterus, thus allowing it to reduce menstrual disorders, and finally it is very good for fighting bacteria and fungi. It is important to point out that the excessive use of this plant could generate adverse reactions, so it is necessary to use it in moderation.
tuberose cultivation
When it comes to cultivation, there are always countless doubts about how to do it, when to do it, what area it should be in and which to avoid, and many other questions. This doesn't only happen with the tuberose flower ; it also happens with many others, such as daisies or orchids and similar plants . Doing it incorrectly would mean that the plant wouldn't bear fruit or wouldn't have that beautiful appearance that is desired.
Growing is often associated with experienced gardeners or similar individuals, but the truth is that with a little dedication, it's a task you could do yourself and keep your home beautiful, with green plants, flowers, and more. The first thing to note about the plant in question is that it must be grown from its bulb.
Likewise, it should be noted that this plant is usually seen in areas where the temperature is warm, neither too cold nor too hot, it must also have humidity, not drown it, but at least that it can have enough.
Prune first thing in the morning
Another of the most frequently asked questions about this flower is regarding pruning, as there are those who believe that this can happen at any time of the day, but the truth is that it is not like that, in the case of this plant the best time is mornings, although this is not the case with all plants, so you should inquire about each specific plant.
The exact point where you should make the respective cut is at the base of the stem; this is because in this way the bulb will continue to fatten up, therefore, the leaves should remain on the tuberose plant.
Don't forget to remove any leaves that look wilted, as this will benefit your plant, as it will prevent the rest from wilting further. You'll see that if you do this, your plant will grow.
balanced fertilizer
Another of the fundamental factors of this and of any other plant is that related to the fertilizer, since the soil has the appropriate complements for the development of the plant is an elementary factor, since if the soil is very dry or very humid then the plant will die.
To fertilize the plant in question you must obtain a fertilizer or make it, it must contain phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen, the same amount of the three ingredients. In addition, when you go to buy the fertilizer in the nursery, you should ask that it be special for this type of plants, that is, for bulbous plants, you should place it mainly during the summer and spring.
It is not necessary that you do it so often, if you do it every six months it will be enough, you can also consult particular advice with the nursery staff.
Taxonomy and Origin
Taxonomically, it is classified as follows: the family is Amaryllidaceae, the class is Monocotyledon, and the genus is Polianthes; it is a plant very closely related to valerian, a plant that is also curative for many purposes, meaning they belong to the same family.
Of the different types or species of this plant, the most cultivated is the so-called Polianthes tuberosa.
This plant is native to the Himalayas. In ancient times, it was one of the most revered plants, as it was believed to have various healing benefits, which is why it was widely used in past civilizations. It can be found in Mexico, in the southern part of the country.
Tuberose flower morphology
For its part, the bulb is brown, in addition, it has a series of scales, which are those in which those substances that they use as a reserve accumulate.
In the area of the basal disc is where various roots arise. On the other hand, there is the stem, which is rounded, quite bright green, erect, and has a simple flower, it can be seen that there are small leaves.
As for the leaves, they are sessile, linear and also ribbed, their length is usually from thirty to sixty centimeters, they are shiny and are always near the base of this plant.
Finally there is the flower, which has an inflorescence, in which there are even up to twenty flowers, which are classified as hermaphrodites, they have an odor, they are small in size, their shape is similar to that of a funnel, they have six petals .
Edaphoclimatic requirements
Mention should mainly be made of the temperature, which, for this plant to develop properly, must be between twenty and thirty degrees centigrade during the day, while at night it can range from fifteen to twenty degrees centigrade. since if these temperatures increase or decrease then the plant will stop working.
Next, it is necessary to point out what is related to light, which in the case of the tuberose flower, requires sufficient light from the sun, otherwise it will not flower.
Third, there's humidity. The data shows that this must be no less than 60 percent and no more than 70 percent, as if it exceeds this level, the plant will suffocate and rot. If it's lower than this level, the plant will dry out.
Next is the watering, you should not reduce the amount of 1,5 g/l, you should do it regularly until you see that the first leaves have sprouted, then you should be even more frequent.
Propagation
To carry out a vegetative propagation, the first thing you must do is obtain a bulb that has already produced a harvest, that is, that has children, since it is from this type of plant that you will be able to obtain the bulblets to fatten up.
This usually happens in the winter season, when you already have this, you should proceed to dry it, this can be done by subjecting the plant to hot air or storing it at about twenty or twenty-five degrees Celsius, allowing thirty days to pass.
Disinfect the plant before planting it. To plant it, you must do so in spring. You must dig the soil. Remember that each groove should be approximately sixty centimeters apart, and the depth should be about ten centimeters, depending on the size of the bulb.
Tuberose flower cultivation techniques
There are two techniques for cultivation, the first one is normal cultivation for cut flowers and the second is forced cultivation for cut flowers, both of which will be explained in greater detail below.
Normal crop for cut flower
For this first case, the essential thing is to prepare the ground, this must be done in advance, that is, a month and fifteen days before the day you are going to plant your tuberose flowers, the soil in which you are going to do it must be perfectly plowed and subsoiled, in this process, you should obtain, if you wish, as it is the most recommended, fermented manure and place it on the ground, as this will give the plant more possibilities for development.
Likewise, do not forget to disinfect the floor, especially if you observe that it may have infectious pathogens.
Then you must carry out the sowing, this must be done for periods of time, starting in February and ending in June, when you finish the sowing you must water the plants with plenty of water.
Forced cultivation for cut flower
As for this second technique, it is also simple, unlike the previous one, you can do it using delayed or accelerated bulbs.
If you are going to use an accelerated one, the plantation should be carried out between the months of December to February, so that you can enjoy the tuberose flowers in the months of March, April, May and June. The bulb of this type should be harvested in October and as mentioned in a previous segment, you should place it in temperatures of about eighty degrees Fahrenheit to dry.
In case you are using a retarded one, then the sowing should be done in August or until the month of October, in this way the tuberose flowers will appear between the months of November to January, it must be under humidity.
Pests and diseases of tuberose flowers
It happens with any type of plant. There are always infectious agents that cause damage to flowers, stems, or leaves. Therefore, you must be vigilant and observe their behavior. They may become dull or sallow. You should also check the leaves, as you may see fungi, animals, or similar pests. Pests can be of different types: aphids, whiteflies, spider mites, and thrips. Spider mites appear when the plant is exposed to low humidity and temperatures are very high. You will see white spots on the plant.
Next is the aphid, which is a condition that you can see on the leaves of the bush, as they are a kind of lice that adhere to it and can be seen in a reddish color, this is usually seen very often at the time spring, to prevent them you can use special meshes, remove damaged weeds or use fertilizers.
On the other hand, there is the plague called whitefly, which is closely related to high temperatures, that is, at least 25 degrees Celsius, when this condition is present you will be able to observe yellow spots on the leaves and therefore they begin to wither
Lastly, there is the plague called thrips, which causes damage to the part of the flower, which when it is present can have white spots with black edges, for this case you can also use special meshes.
On the other hand, there are diseases that can afflict plants, some of these conditions can be Botrytis cinerea, Ramularia primulae and Rot, as for the latter it is a fungus that appears on the plant especially when there is high humidity, this can be observed in the stem and in the roots.
Next we must mention the Ramularia primulae, which can affect tuberose flowers, which are also fungi, if you look at your plant and it has white spots on one side and yellow on the other, then it is possible that it has this disease .
It is also possible to control these diseases or reduce their spread, mainly if you notice that their leaves are being infected, then remove them and only leave those that are healthy, otherwise the disease will continue to spread to the rest of the healthy leaves and flowers.
Likewise, you can prevent diseases by always using healthy fertilizer, disinfecting the area, making sure that the tools you use to prune and water are totally clean, use suitable chemical materials, make sure the water is clean and more, if you carry out all these indications it will be less It is possible that your plants get sick or contract any type of pest.
