How to Grow Nerine Bowdenii
Nerine bowdenii, also known as the spider lily, is a member of the amaryllis family. It bears the same tall, leafless stalks but the flowers atop them grow in clusters of star-shaped pink blooms. The flowers are long lasting, both in the garden and in the vase. N. bowdenii grows from a bulb that flowers in late summer or early fall within U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 9 through 11. Nerine bowdenii can be grown in Zone 8, but requires winter protection. Plant the bulbs outdoors in the fall or spring. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Choose a planting spot in an area that receives direct sun and has well-drained soil. If the soil is heavy, amend it by mixing in 3 inches of sand. Do not add fertilizer to the soil as excess nitrogen will cause the plant to produce an abundance of foliage and few flowers.
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Plant the bulbs so that neck is exposed above the surface of the soil. Space them at least 12 inches apart.
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Avoid watering the bulbs until they begin to sprout, and then supply 1 inch of water every 10 days during the growing season.
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Cut off flower stalks when the Nerine bowdenii finishes blooming. Zone 8 gardeners should either cover the soil with a 4-inch layer of straw, or dig up the bulbs, wipe off the soil and allow the bulbs to dry for two to three days. Store them in a box on a bed of moist peat moss, in a cool, dry area.
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