Crowns of glory develop striking flowers that are reminiscent of flaming lilies. They are aesthetic floral ornamental plants that are adapted to specific conditions. Therefore, care requires a little more attention, because incorrect measures or suboptimal site conditions damage the plant.
How do you care for a crown of glory (Gloriosa superba)?
Crown of Glory (Gloriosa superba) is a tropical climbing plant with showy, flame-like flowers. Care includes a bright, partially shaded location, well-drained soil, regular watering and fertilizing during the growing phase, and a rest period with reduced watering and fertilizing after flowering.
Origin
The crown of glory has the scientific name Gloriosa superba. The timeless plant is often referred to under the outdated name Gloriosa rothschildiana. The species grows in the tropical and subtropical climates of Africa and Southeast Asia. On the African continent their range extends to the south. It occurs in Malaysia and Madagascar. The Gloriosa inhabits areas with variable humidity and is considered natural in many tropical and subtropical areas.
Growth
Gloriosa superba is a perennial herbaceous plant that develops climbing shoots. This means that the crown of glory can grow to heights of two meters. The shoot axes branch out in the upper part. The vegetation point is at the tip of the main shoot. This bud can break off very easily, which is why special care is required when caring for it. Crowns of glory form an underground rhizome. It serves as a storage organ for water and nutrients so that the plant can survive dry periods.
leaves
The lanceolate leaves of the crown of glory are arranged in an alternating arrangement. Its leaf surface, up to 15 centimeters long, is colored green and shiny. At the tip, the leaf blade ends in a tendril with which the plants climb up the surrounding vegetation. If the tendrils cannot find support, the main shoot will crawl over the ground.
Bloom
The flowers grow on ten to 20 centimeter long stems that grow individually from the leaf axils. They are hermaphrodite and reach a diameter of between ten and 20 centimeters. Typical for crowns of glory are six narrow bracts, the edges of which are heavily wavy. When the flower bud opens, the flower bracts bend back. They form an aesthetic contrast to the long stamens and are reminiscent of fiery flames.
Flowering time
Crowns of glory bloom between June and August. During this time they are decorated with flowers of various colors. They usually shine scarlet red, with the red color changing to yellow at the base. There are single or multi-colored varieties.
Fruit
When the flowering period is over in late summer, crowns of glory bear many capsule fruits. They are egg-shaped or oblong in shape and contain many dark seeds under their fleshy covering.
Usage
Crowns of glory come from tropical regions and are perfect for beautifying greenhouses and warm houses. Not only do they set colorful accents in potted gardens as floral ornamental plants, but also with their picturesque growth and are ideal for indoor greenery. The idiosyncratic growth requires a climbing aid. Curtain rods are just as suitable for the climbing foliage plant as trellises.
How to use Crowns of Fame:
- as a container plant
- flowering shoots as cut flowers
- climbing shoot axes as a green curtain
Is Crown of Glory poisonous?
Gloriosa superba contains the highly toxic alkaloid colchicine, which autumn crocus also develops. The concentration is particularly high in the root tuber. The substance can cause severe symptoms of poisoning. It inhibits certain processes during cell division, so that the cells are not viable. Children or pets should not come into contact with the exotic beauties.
Which location is suitable?
Gloriosa grows in a bright and partially shaded place. It loves warm and humid conditions, which is why the plant is best cultivated in a warm house or a heated greenhouse. The humidity should be between 50 and 65 percent, while the temperature should not fall below 18 degrees Celsius, even at night.
What soil does the plant need?
Use a quality soil that is suitable for container plants. You can make your own mixture that provides your houseplants with optimal growing conditions. Mix a compost-based substrate with a third of leaf mold or a coarse-fiber peat substitute such as cocohum. If you use garden soil and compost, you should heat the substrate in the oven. In this way pathogens and pests are killed.
This is what crowns of glory need:
- permeable soil
- medium-coarse structure
- moderate nutrients
- pH value between 5.5 and 6
Increase Crown of Fame
Crowns of glory are propagated vegetatively. The ideal time for division is the beginning of March as the plants are not yet in the growth phase. Gently knock the substrate away from the root ball to reveal the rhizomes.
Cut off a few secondary tubers and place them in medium-sized planters. The eyes must point upwards because this is where the plant develops new shoots. Germination begins at a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius. You must be careful when handling the rhizomes because the eyes are very sensitive.
Sowing
If you have a heated greenhouse, you can propagate your crown of glory from seeds. Scatter the seeds on a sandy mixture with compost and coconut fiber. In the coming weeks the temperature must be a constant 20 degrees. Keep the substrate evenly moist. If the soil moisture is too high, the young plants shoot up quickly and bend at the base. It can take between two and four years for plants grown from seeds to bloom for the first time.
Balcony
During the summer months, the crown of fame enjoys a place on the balcony or terrace. Place the pot in a partially shaded place that gets some sun in the morning and evening. A protected location with constant conditions is important because glory crowns cannot tolerate temperature fluctuations. If the thermometer rises, the plant turns yellow leaves. If temperatures are too low or a sudden cold shock, the foliage becomes soft and partially transparent.
Pouring the crown of glory
The Gloriosa needs consistent soil moisture. Water generously at regular intervals between spring and autumn. The substrate should not dry between watering sessions. Pour off excess water from the saucer as the roots cannot tolerate waterlogging. As soon as the flowers have withered and the plant draws energy from the leaves, watering is reduced. Stop watering completely when all above-ground parts of the plant have wilted. The rhizomes must lie dry during the dormant phase.
Fertilize the crown of fame properly
Crowns of glory enjoy regular fertilization during the growing season. The first fertilization takes place in spring when fresh shoots appear. Give the plant a liquid fertilizer (€6.00 on Amazon) in a weak concentration every second watering. When the leaves wilt in autumn, the supply of nutrients is stopped.
Cut the crown of fame correctly
Withered leaves and shoots can be removed regularly. When the plant has completely retreated in autumn, you can cut off the dead parts of the plant close to the ground. Pruning should not take place until September at the earliest. If living leaves and shoots are trimmed, the crown of glory can no longer store sufficient energy in the rhizome.
This cutting measure is not absolutely necessary. If you do not cut off the withered leaves, they will fall onto the substrate and slowly decompose.
How do I transplant correctly?
Crowns of glory are repotted annually in March so that the rhizomes receive fresh soil. Clean the rhizomes carefully so that no substrate residue remains. Daughter tubers can be cut off and replanted. Insert the rhizomes with the tip upwards into a suitable substrate mixture and cover the tubers two to three centimeters thick with soil. Place the pot in a bright and warm place. After repotting, the tubers are watered sparingly.
Wintering
After the flowering period, the Gloriosa enters a resting phase. It is not based on the Central European seasons, but rather on tropical rainy and dry phases. To mimic these natural conditions, you need to adapt the care.
Once the flowers have wilted, slowly stop watering. If all parts of the plant above ground are dead, no more watering or fertilizing is carried out. You can clean the tuber and store it in a dark and dry place with temperatures between 15 and 17 degrees Celsius. Alternatively, overwintering in the substrate is possible, provided it is completely dry.read more
Diseases
Gloriosa superba proves to be resistant to pathogens. Care errors can lead to the plant no longer growing he althily. A nitrogen deficiency causes the upper leaves to discolor during the vegetation phase. Give the plant a nitrogen-rich fertilizer regularly.
Pests
Crowns of glory are occasionally attacked by pests that should be controlled in good time. If the annoying insects are noticed too late, the fight against their mass spread becomes increasingly difficult.
Aphids
During spring there can be an infestation of aphids, whose sucking activities lead to unsightly discoloration of the leaves. Since the pests reproduce asexually, action should be taken quickly in the event of an infestation.
Spider mites
If the humidity is too low, spider mites can occasionally appear on the Gloriosa. Their fine webs are particularly easy to see when the plant has been sprayed with water. The spider-like pests multiply within a few days and suck plant sap from the veins on the underside of the leaves.
Brown leaves
If the leaf tips of the crown of glory suddenly turn brown, the humidity is not high enough. This phenomenon often occurs in winter when the bucket is placed on a windowsill directly above the heater. Larger temperature fluctuations can also cause young leaves and buds to develop brown spots. When there is a lack of light, the buds dry up and fall off.
Tip
Combine crown of glory flower stalks with flowering shoots of spider gerbera and a purple butterfly orchid. The picturesque image creates a majestic atmosphere.
Varieties
- Gloriosa carsonii: Leaves encompass the stem, up to twelve centimeters long. Flowers solitary, mahogany to purple in color with yellow edges. Reaches heights of up to 150 centimeters.
- Lutea: Lily-like flowers, completely yellow. Blooms from July to August. Between 80 and 150 centimeters high.
- Citrina: Lemon yellow flowers, wine red edges and stripes.