Hymenocallis--TOW--Cultivation
Kevin D. Preuss (Mon, 19 Apr 2004 07:31:04 PDT)

Hymenocallis--TOW Part 2

Cultivation of Spider Lilies -

True spider lilies belong to the genus Hymenocallis. These can be
artificially divided into 3 categories (Tropical, Mexican, and southeastern
United States) for cultivation purposes.

Tropical species are those from the West Indies/Caribbean and also parts of
eastern Mexico to Panama and northern South America. These are typically
the larger species that offset prolifically, such as H. latifloia, H.
carribbeae, H. expansa, H. tubiflora, H. speciosa, etc...These typically
prefer large pots (5 gallons or larger) or to be grown in the open ground
(if in tropical /subtropical location). No dormancy period is required for
these.

The plants from the SE US are mostly wetland plants (with the exception of
H. occidentalis). Several species are riverine plants (H. rotata, H.
franklinensis, H. coronaria...). Others are found in swamps, sloughs, bogs
and ditches like H. crassifolia, & H. liriosme. To cultivate these
successfully over time, they must be grown in large tubs flooded routinely,
or grown in a pond or stream bank. I grow many of mine in my son's old
swimming pool and flood it/drain it almost daily.

Others are associated with the seasonally flooded prairies (H. godfreyi
& H. puntagordensis). Others are linked to the hydricity of pine
flatwoods (H. henryae & H. palmeri). These both prefer wet soils that dry
out periodically. With the exception of H. puntagordensis and an
undescribed species from central Florida, the other 14 SE US species go
dormant in the
winter and break dormancy before spring.

The Mexican species are less often cultivated. Those in southern
California and Texas would do better with these species. H. maxamilianii
is commonly grown, as is H. acutifolia. There is rich diversity amongst
the Mexican species (from petiolate leaves as in H. glauca, H. harrisiana,
H. eucharidifolia to lorate, or strap shaped leaves). These are deciduous
for a longer period than the other groups. Most Mexican species are just
beginning growth in April through early May here in Florida.

Perhaps some California and Australian growers could chime in here and let
us all know what kind of cycles your plants are on.

In order to breed spider lilies, the filament, which holds the anther
above, can be removed and used to pollinate other flowers when they are
blooming simultaneously. Alternately the anthers may be removed and
(pollen) can be stored in a plastic vial in the refrigerator and may be
used to pollinate other spider lilies (of the same species or different ones).

Kevin Preuss