Growing Gloriosa
Plant when the warmer weather starts and the risk of frost has passed. When the growing tip swells and discolours it is indicating it is ready to be planted.
Typical planting times:
Position:
Plant in a sheltered, warm, sunny position against a suitable support such as netting or chicken wire where it holds on with tendrils at the ends of its leaves or it can be tied to a smooth stake. It can grow up to 1.8 metres tall.
Soil:
Requires well-drained soil to which plenty of well-rotted compost or animal manure and complete garden fertiliser has been added. Plant the tubers horizontally, 7-8 cm deep.
Care:
Keep feeding and watering while plant is green. Keep moist while actively growing but it is intolerant of excessive soil moisture when dormant from autumn to mid spring so once the plant has completely died off, tubers should be lifted and stored in a cool, dry, dark place with plenty of air circulation. If in pots allow them to dry out completely. The old tuber has been used up but there are two new tubers connected in the middle with a growing tip at each end. Break new tubers apart at the middle and store until the next season.
Typical planting times:
- Tropical: from September to January
- Mild: from October to December
- Cool: from November to December
Position:
Plant in a sheltered, warm, sunny position against a suitable support such as netting or chicken wire where it holds on with tendrils at the ends of its leaves or it can be tied to a smooth stake. It can grow up to 1.8 metres tall.
Soil:
Requires well-drained soil to which plenty of well-rotted compost or animal manure and complete garden fertiliser has been added. Plant the tubers horizontally, 7-8 cm deep.
Care:
Keep feeding and watering while plant is green. Keep moist while actively growing but it is intolerant of excessive soil moisture when dormant from autumn to mid spring so once the plant has completely died off, tubers should be lifted and stored in a cool, dry, dark place with plenty of air circulation. If in pots allow them to dry out completely. The old tuber has been used up but there are two new tubers connected in the middle with a growing tip at each end. Break new tubers apart at the middle and store until the next season.
Growing in pots or tubs:
Pots should be large enough to accommodate the two new tubers that form during the growing season: one tuber per 250 mm pot and use a heavy potting mix, like a bulb-growing mix. Fertilise regularly for best results.
Important:
Pots should be large enough to accommodate the two new tubers that form during the growing season: one tuber per 250 mm pot and use a heavy potting mix, like a bulb-growing mix. Fertilise regularly for best results.
Important:
- Never let plant dry out during growing season
- Fertilise regularly
- Keep snails etc away from new shoots
- Keep tubers dry over winter
- Handle carefully, tuber will not grow if the growing tip is damaged
- Gloriosa may have the potential to become invasive in some areas, therefore is best grown in a container, spent flowers removed and tubers lifted every year
- All parts of the Gloriosa are toxic
