The Football Lily is (Haemanthus multiflorus); the flower is a native of Africa that blooms between April and May. This plant, originally from Africa, thrives in all tropical climates.
It is a flower that grows from a rhizomatous bulb and has a fake stem formed by wrapping the leaves together tightly. In addition to its gorgeous red fluffy flowers, these attractive Football lily plants are grown as ornamental plants for their dark green glossy leaves that contrast nicely with the bright red flowers.
Its leaves are smooth and dark green in colour, and new ones grow after the flowers have finished blooming. The majority of people will be unable to imagine how this plant can produce such a beautiful blossom.
But it is possible to report them and have magnificent round-shaped flowers that resemble footballs throughout the flowering season, but this is not recommended.
This Football Lily grows to 12-18 inches and blooms just once a year. The bulbs are leafless before the flowering season, making them an excellent container choice.
You may be fascinated to know that they are straightforward to cultivate and require very little attention once established. We’ll teach you the quickest and most straightforward method of planting Football Lilly on your own. So, without further ado, let’s get this party started.
The Requirement Of Football Lily That Should You Keep In Mind
The things that have to keep in mind are there have some recommendations that might be suitable for giving your Football Liily a healthy and peaceful condition-
Sunlight
They are tough and can withstand the heat of the summer; thus, they demand brilliant indirect sunlight or filtered direct sunlight to thrive. However, you should avoid placing them in direct sunlight during the hot summer months, and you should ensure that the plants receive some shade in the afternoon.
However, Football Lily is a well-suited plant to shaded areas and looks great planted in huge groups beneath trees. It has been possible that when they are provided partial or light shade, their blooms remain longer and perform better.
However, we do not recommend that you keep them in a shaded spot all of the time because their leaves may grow pale if they are kept in complete shadow.
Watering
Although the Football Lily prefers moist soil, they do better in moist soil. As an alternative, given that you are growing football lily from a bulb. After you have planted the bulb in the soil, fill the container with water and fill it with a small amount of water.
You don’t have to miss watering during the summer and growing period. Additionally, you must avoid regular watering them throughout the dry winter months.
On the other hand, make sure not to overwater your Football Lily plants on the other side. An excessive amount of watering might cause the soil to get damp, resulting in root rot of your newly planted Football lily.
Soil
It is best if football lily is planted just below the soil’s surface is well-drained, humus-rich soil and is not disturbed over several years. As a result, they should be planted in soils rich in organic matter and contain little sand. It is also advisable to make three or four holes in the bottom of the container so that any excess water may drain out quickly.
Temperature
Football lilies prefer warm climates when it comes to growing, but they can withstand the heat of summer if they are watered regularly. However, one thing to keep in mind is that you should protect them during the winter months, and it is preferable to move them indoors or keep them away from freezing winds.
Fertiliser
Football Lilies require well-drained and nutrient-rich soil to thrive. Football Lilies require fertiliser, particularly during the growing season, to blossom spectacularly. Apply an all-purpose fertiliser or a slow-release fertiliser once a month during the growing season.
You can also use compost or manure to help keep the soil’s nutrients balanced and healthy. It will assist your Football Lily plants in creating stronger roots in the soil, which will result in more vigorous growth.
Planting Season
Planting bulbs or saplings in containers filled with equal portions of sand, gravel, and dried cow dung powder can be done throughout February and March. The plant will continue to grow until November or December. Fully grown leaves drop off in the winter, and the bulbs remain dormant throughout the season.
How To Plant Football Lily Bulbs: Step By Step Guide
Step 1: Prepare The Bulbs And Planting Area
Shake as much soil as possible from the bulb and roots after being collected, then spread them out on newspaper in an excellent, shady location to dry for a couple of days. Remember to soak the bulbs in water for a few hours before using them. Actually, soaking bulbs allows them to absorb enough water to grow right away, saving them two or three weeks in the growing process.
Prepare the soil simultaneously as you prepare your Football Lily bulbs. The soil should be loose and well-drained to allow for proper drainage. A well-drained soil aids in the drainage of water away from the bulb, which helps to keep it healthy.
Newly planted bulbs require an adequate amount of oxygen, and well-drained soil contains tiny pockets of air between the soil particles that allow the roots to move about more freely while searching for the oxygen they require. On the other hand, organic matter, such as composted manure, compost, or peat moss, should be added to the soil to improve its organic matter composition, which can be accomplished by working with organic matter.
Step 2: Plant Your Football Lily Bulbs In Proper Depth Of The Soil
Football Lily bulbs must be planted at the correct depth, as do other flowering bulbs. Different species of flowering bulbs must be planted at different depths. The size of the bulb is the most essential factor in determining how deep to plant bulbs.
The basic rule is that the depth at which bulbs should be planted should be between two and three times the length of each bulb. For example, if you want to use a 2-inch high bulb, you should dig a hole 4-6 inches deep and place the bulb in the bottom of the hole.
Generally speaking, planting too deep or too close to the surface should be avoided as much as possible. It will either create a healthy Football Lily of leaves with no flowers if the depth is insufficient, or it will produce a healthy Football Lily of leaves with no flowers if the depth is excessive.
After that, plant the bulbs firmly in the soil with the pointed end up, and then cover them with soil; you should cover the soil lightly so that the root can develop effortlessly. When in doubt about where the top or bottom of the bulb is, plant it on its side, and it will eventually find its way to the soil’s surface.
Step 3: Water Properly After Planting
Watering the Football Lily bulbs immediately after planting them will aid in establishing the bulbs and the closure of any air pockets in the soil. Additionally, keep in mind that the bulbs may be a few inches deep, and the water must be able to penetrate that depth before it can be used.
Water using a soaker hose to avoid getting water on the bloom. If the plant does not receive an inch of water per week during the bud, bloom, and early leaf stages, add approximately one inch of water per week during these stages. To grow Football Lily bulbs successfully, you must plant them in well-drained soil so that any excess moisture can drain away.
Although it is not always necessary, excessive watering of your Football Lily is not recommended because excessive water can damage the bulbs and cause the plants to rot if they are placed in soil too wet for a lengthy period. As a result, make sure that the water you are providing drains enough water at a time.
Step 4: Take A Quick Mulch
The key to ensuring that bulbs remain safe and happy throughout the winter is to keep them consistently cool. As a result, it is beneficial to apply mulch to the soil after planting. Consequently, mulching can assist in keeping the soil of your Football Lily moist while also maintaining a controlled, consistent soil temperature, and three inches of mulch is sufficient to achieve this goal.
FAQs
What happens if you plant bulbs too close together?
Planting flower bulbs too shallowly can expose them to harmful temperature spikes, which can be fatal. Planting flower bulbs too close together can cause root systems to entangle and strangle one other and dehydrate and starve due to a lack of available water and nutrients.
Do bulbs spread?
Bulb division and spread occur spontaneously due to the growth of the bulb. However, the space around them can become crowded, lowering the number of blossoms. An established bunch of bulbs that have begun to bloom less frequently hint that the bulbs should be divided.
Can you plant several bulbs in one hole?
The practice of planting many bulbs in the same hole is not recommended. One bulb should be placed in each hole, spaced between 4 and 6 inches apart.
How deep is too deep for bulbs?
Answer: However, digging too profoundly is preferable to digging too shallowly because the bulbs are in greater danger of being dug up by accident or by squirrels, who will feast on the nutritious bulbs if they are dug up too shallowly. Generally speaking, the rule of thumb is to plant bulbs at a depth three times their diameter, but there are certain exceptions.
Conclusion
These are the ways to plant the Football Lily Bulbs. Now it’s your time to follow all the maintenance, recommendations, and especially advice. But after that, These are the recommended methods for planting Football Lily Bulbs.
Establishing new plants from seed takes time — anticipate a three- to four-year wait for blossoms. The seeds mature in late summer and can be gathered on a dry day approximately eight weeks after the last flowers.
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Best of Luck!!
