CRINUM (Cri'num)

DESCRIPTION: This group consists of about 130 tender bulbs native to warm regions such as the southeastern U.S, South America, the Caribbean, South Africa, and tropical Asia. The bulbs of these plants are quite large; many grow several inches in diameter with long bottlenecks. The plants somewhat resemble their relative, Amaryllis Belladonna. Crinums (commonly known as Milk and Wine Lilies) grow from 1 to 3 feet high, depending on the species, and produce clumps of strap- or sword-shaped leaves and clusters of fragrant, red, pink, white, or bicolored flowers. The loose clusters of large, lily-like flowers grow atop tall, leafless stalks up to 4 feet high. C. americanum, commonly known as the Swamp Lily or Southern Swamp Crinum, is found from Florida to Texas. This plant produces leaves up to 2 feet in length and up to 2 inches wide. Its fragrant, delicate, white flowers have long, thin petals and are produced in clusters atop long, strong stems. The Swamp Lily is suitable for growing in a water garden. It can be grown in 1 to 6 inches of water preferably, though it will grow in water up to a foot deep. C. bulbispermum bears up to 20 flowers in the summer. The blossoms will either be white on the inside and red on the outside or they'll be entirely pink.

POTTING: Milk and Wine Lilies can be grown outside in mild climates - from zones 8 to 11 - or, in unsuitable climates, planted in containers and brought in before frost. They'll flourish in deep, well-drained to moist, rich organic soil in a sunny or lightly shaded area. These plants shouldn't be disturbed too much once planted because it often takes 1 or 2 years before they'll bloom again. Rather, they should be treated as long-lived perennials and left in the ground to bloom profusely throughout the years. Spring is the best time to buy your Milk and Wine Lilies. Set the bulbs with their noses even with the soil and 1 to 3 feet apart. Give them plenty of water and apply liquid fertilizer once a week during growth. If necessary, provide a winter mulch for protection. If you grow your Lilies in containers, plant the bulbs in pots 2 inches larger in diameter than the bulb. Set the bulb down so that the neck will be seen above the soil. If you need to bring your plants in during the winter, make sure they are in a frost-free place (35ºto 45º F). Some Crinums, such as C. americanum (Swamp Lily), can be grown as partial aquatics, such as near the edge of a pond. Grow the Swamp Lily in a 5-gallon container and set in 1 to 6 inches of water, in sun or partial shade. Before the first frost in cold climates, it should be moved to a suitable frost-free shelter with adequate light and water. When the temperatures have returned to 70º F or higher it may be returned outdoors.

PROPAGATION: Offsets may be detached in the spring. They often take a year or two to reach the flowering stage. They may be increased by division. When dividing a clump, it is best to dig a trench around the entire mass, before trying to dig up the deep-rooted plants. Always lift up and separate the entire clump of bulbs, rather than slicing them to pieces by digging off the sides. Return the largest two or three bulbs into the hole and plant the others elsewhere or share with friends. Since it takes a year or so for the plants to resume full flowering, it is best to leave them undisturbed as much as possible. Dividing once every three to five years is often enough. Seeds will readily germinate when sown in pots of sandy soil or outdoors on the soil's surface in a humid, shady location. The seedlings will flower in 3 or 4 years.

SPECIES & VARIETIES: C. x powellii & var. Album; C. americanum & var. Robustum; C. erubescens; C. bulbispernum (or longifolium or capense) (Deep Sea Lilies) & var. album, Sacramento; C. macowanii; C. scabrum; C. zeylanicum; C. jagus & var. Rattrayi, Christopher, Maya Moon; C. moorei & var. Schmidtii; C. asiaticum; C. japonicum; C. pedunculatum; C. procerum 'Splendens'; C. xanthophyllum; C. herbertii; C. fimbriatulum; C. x digweedii; C. loddigesianum; C. x baconi; C. pratense; C. amoenum; C. augustum.

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