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Calochortus ( Kal - uh - KOR - tus ) belongs to the Liliaceae family of plants . It is a lily genus aboriginal to North America , British Columbia , Mexico , and the northern part of Guatemala .
There are seventy species in this genus of herbaceous , perennial , and bulging plants . Of these seventy specie , twenty - eight are aboriginal to California . The plants spread freely from the west coast into the western states and can be discover in the ironic ground of Dakotas , Nebraska , and New Mexico .
There is a neat mountain of potpourri among the coinage , and several are cultivated thanks to their very pretty salad days . In fact , the plant ’s botanic name , Calochortus , means “ beautiful grass ” in Greek .
This genus includes richly wide-ranging plants , such as :
Because there are so many species , these native plant ’ common names variegate . They include :
The genus is divided into four sluttish subgroup :
Mariposa Lily Plants Care
Size and Growth
Depending upon the species of Calochortus you have in mind , acme can vagabond from 6 ” inch tall to 3 ’ feet . Most are fairly obtuse growers .
Flowering and Fragrance
Calochortus incandescent lamp typically bring on one or more flowers on a marvellous , tough fore that arises from the underground bulb in late spring or early summer .
The showy flowers variegate in sizing , body structure , and color depending on the species . Petal size may also diverge because of soil moisture and twelvemonth .
color are also many and varied and admit :
Unlike other sorts of lilies , these blooms ’ petals take issue in people of color and size of it from the sepal . The insides of petals are usually a scrap furred , and the flowers typically bear very decided spots , stripe , and other markings in the center , along with a conspicuous basal gland .
Calochortus : Desert Lilies That acquire On Limestone
Foliage
The fore of the mariposa lily may be dim-witted or branched . The leaves are typically thin and narrow-minded . They are not furred .
Light and Temperature
Most Calochortus like full morning sun ( 6 hour and more daily ) and some tribute from harsh sunlight in the afternoon . Pussy Ear and Fairy Lantern varieties prefer a consistently funny setting .
These flowering plants are typically winter hardy in USDA hardiness zona 3 and high . Temperatures lower than 28 ° degrees Fahrenheit can be damaging .
In very cold clime , bring the mariposa lily bulbs indoors to winter in vermiculite ( or theme base ) in a dark , cool , dry home , such as a basement .
Watering and Feeding
As with most aboriginal electric light , a soaking - and - teetotal watering agenda is recommended . irrigate the mariposa lily lily good about once a hebdomad . Allow the soil to become jolly teetotal before watering again .
During the grow season , you could include a weak solution of light bulb food when you water . Stop fertilizing after the bloom time of the mariposa lily is over .
arrest lacrimation when foliation begins to turn scandalmongering . This signals preparation for dormancy . During the plant life ’ torpid period , do not water at all .
Soil and Transplanting
These aboriginal medulla are a bit fussy about their soil . It must be well - drained dirt or in light sandy soils . They can also grow well in slenderly acidulous soil with excellent drainage .
model of practiced soil commixture for Calochortus in containers let in :
It ’s easy to see that the main quality all of these potting admixture suggestions have in common is very intimately sharp drain . Additionally , none of these combinations are very nutrient - rich .
For Calochortus planted in the landscape painting , rocky grease or slightly heavy soil with significant mud content will work better .
Lighten the soil with amendment such as leaf mold , fir tree bark , redwood compost , and the alike . A 50/50 mix of native land and amendment should work well .
Plant Calochortus bulbs three or four inches apart in the landscape painting . If you are planting seedling , you’re able to space them more closely at first ( e.g. , an inch apart ) but know that you will finally need to thin them .
Grooming and Maintenance
In USDA hardiness zone 3 and higher , you could merely overwinter your perennial bulbs in pile or the landscape out of doors . Just be certain the drainage is excellent , or they will not survive the winter .
In colder options , wait until the plants ’ foliage has altogether died back . snip or mow it and then labour the bulbs up .
Allow the bulb to dry out for a workweek or so , and then place them broadly into paper bags . Store the old bag in a dark , wry location with temperature systematically between 60 ° and 70 ° degrees Fahrenheit .
you could replant the electric-light bulb betimes in the spring after the last frost .
How To Propagate Calochortus Lily Plants
The easiest way to propagate Calochortus is by simply planting bulb . As with most bulbs , choose plump , goodly , undamaged specimens . Plant bulb too soon in the spring or autumn in areas that do not have punishingly frigid wintertime .
It is also possible to spring up these plants from come ; however , your plants will not bloom for the first three or four seasons .
If you want to attempt growing Calochortus from come , start the seed indoors in the previous summertime or former bounce . Simply scatter the tiny seeds over the surface of moist , prepared source starting intermixture in pots or a seed tray . Then , plant the seeds in tardy autumn in apartment , spate , or outside seed beds .
lay the containers in a sheltered setting that abide systematically warm and pick up brilliant , indirect sun .
Keep the seed starting premix slightly dampish until you see germination ( typically early in springtime ) . Be mindful that exuberant watering will cause problems with damping off .
Transition to overcharge and dry lachrymation and ( when the seedling are enceinte enough ) transplant them to their own pots .
You will need to keep them sheltered for several seasons so that they can develop bulb . At this point , you may transplant them into the landscape in the spring .
Calochortus Lily Plants Main Pest or Diseases
With the right fear , most Calochortus metal money are well-nigh trouble - innocent . Rodents and gophers may occasionally be a problem . Other pestilence that might trouble oneself these lily admit snails and slug , and aphids .
As with most plant life , excessive watering and/or lack of drainage will cause rot in bulbs institute in pots or a garden or landscape setting .
Overwatered or overcrowded plants may also have problem with botrytis cast . seedling may be subject to damping off . If this happens , the use of a antifungal may be helpful .
The bulk of the plants in Liliaceae house , include the Butterfly Tulip , Calochortus Tiburonensis , Calochortus Uniflorus , Calochortus Invenustus , and Calochortus Macrocarpus are vulnerable to flies , mallet , aphids , jot , and thrips .
In the wilderness , some endangered species of Calochortus are threatened by job such as severe drouth and fires , wildcat collection , being overrun by invasive plants , or being trodden upon .
Is the plant considered toxic or poisonous to people, kids, and pets?
Unlike many members of the Liliaceae family of plant , Calochortus is completely non - toxic to people , kids , pets , and livestock . In fact , it is an comestible plant .
Is the plant considered invasive?
This North American indigene is not name as invasive in any setting .
Suggested Calochortus Lily Plants Uses
Many species of Calochortus are naturalize and offered by botanical garden and specialty nurseries because of their delicate appearance .
They make tremendous additions to any landscape painting and are especially well suitable for use in :
Traditionally , Mariposa lily ( Calochortus nuttallii , the country flower of Utah ) also provided a food rootage for Native American tribe and Californian tribes . Their bulb may be eaten raw or boiled . Additionally , the youthful , impudent flower bud are eatable .
musical note : aboriginal to deserts in the Southwestern United States and northern Mexico , Calochortus kennedyi is be intimate as the desert mariposa tulip lily .
