Facts, Tips to Grow and Care, Uses

Football lily flowers, also known as Scadoxus multiflorus, are grown for their allure and lovely beauty. Because planting this flowering plant using bulbs is simple, most people choose to do so. It is also known as a poisonous plant because of its potentially hazardous and poisonous roots. Therefore, before planting, care should be given to avoid touching the roots and to use gloves. 

See also: How to grow and care for Rain Lilies?

Scadoxus multiflorus facts

How to grow Scadoxus multiflorus

As long as they are kept dormant over the winter and somewhat dry, these bulbous perennials are simple to grow. For July colour bursts, they can be planted in protected, warm borders in the late spring. Scadoxus multiflorus should be grown in humus-rich, well-drained soil in full sun or light shade in a protected area for optimal results. Before the first frost in the fall, dig out the bulbs, pot them up, and store them in a frost-free area like a conservatory or greenhouse. They could also be raised year-round in a portable pot that can be moved about as needed.

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• Once the berries have fallen off or dropped when touched, harvest the seeds from the fruit. If this occurs, take out the berry flesh to get the seeds.
• The seeds should be spread out on the potting soil’s surface.
• The seeds will initially germinate as a bulb before sprouting. Maintain soil moisture while letting the bulb go dormant. In a few months, growth should become evident.
• When the bulb has sprouted, place it in a container or an appropriate outdoor spot that is warm enough (above 60 degrees Fahrenheit) and has enough light exposure.

Potting of Scadoxus multiflorus

The Blood Lily doesn’t need to be replanted frequently. In actuality, blood lily blooms best when left alone. If you must, carefully pry the plant out of its container, being careful not to damage its root system. Put the plant in a fresh container and repot it with a potting soil and sand mixture. Water the plant liberally and let excess moisture run off.

How to care for Scadoxus multiflorus?

• It can be planted inside or outdoors, in pots or directly in the ground.
• In the spring, plant the bulbs in a mixture of manure and loam or sand.
• Maintain a distance of up to 10 inches.
• Replant occasionally in early summer or spring.

Light

Due to the blood lily’s poor tolerance for intense sunlight, bright, indirect light exposure or partial sun is preferable. These plants benefit greatly from afternoon shade because it shields them from the damaging effects of the hot afternoon sun.

Soil

The blood lily thrives in nutrient-rich loamy or sandy soil. Since these plants do poorly in damp soil, it is crucial that these soil types have sufficient drainage.

If plants are being potted, combine sand and rich potting soil. This mixture will provide excellent drainage and allow the soil to keep moist, which is crucial for a healthy plant.

Water

Avoid overwatering blood lily plants as they have moderate watering requirements. Depending on the stage of growth of the plant, you should water a blood lily differently at different times.

Water the plant frequently while it is actively growing to maintain a wet soil environment. However, if the plant starts to fall dormant, cease watering it regularly and let it wither away. Water simply enough to keep the soil and dormant plant from entirely drying out. As soon as the plant starts to grow once more, increase watering.

Uses of Scadoxus multiflorus

Ornamental use

Scadoxus multiflorus is indigenous to tropical east and south Africa. It is cultivated for its stunning blood-red inflorescences, the source of its popular name, blood lily. Where the environment is acceptable, Scadoxus multiflorus is planted as an ornamental plant at homes for its vividly coloured flowers, either in pots or in the ground.

Tips and tricks to grow Scadoxus multiflorus

• For proper growth, the Football Lily bloom needs well-drained soil. This plant doesn’t require a lot of water, so it should not be overwatered. 
• Only water plants until the topsoil is completely dry. Conditions that are damp and moist are not good for this plant.
• After blooming, lilies enjoy being in areas with some shade or light. However, they require full sunlight for a few hours each day before blooming. 
• Vermicompost or any other compost should be utilised for its proper growth.
• Every 30 to 40 days, 50 to 70 grams of vermicompost should be administered.

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