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Caring for orange star plant


How To Grow And Care For An Orange Star Plant

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Fewer plants got a name that aptly describes their appearance and qualities as the orange star plants. In this case, the name tells you all you need to know about this hardy perennial and why you should have it in your garden. It’s an easy plant to grow and propagate and you won’t have much trouble caring for it. That said, certain issues usually crop up with the orange star plant that need your attention. In this post, we cover the orange star plants from all angles from planting and caring for it to the different methods of propagation.

All about Orange Star Plants

The orange star plant (Ornithogalum arabicum) is also known by other names including the star of Bethlehem. This bloomer has sturdy leaves that make it the right landscaping plant for your home even in the absence of the blooms. As bulb plants, you can grow them in a container as long as it gets enough full sun.

The most outstanding feature of the plant and the one that gave it its name are the flowers. The star-shaped blooms grow in clusters of about 12 to 15 on upright stems with each flower about one to two inches in diameter at most. Despite their small size, the blooms are very fragrant and their overpowering scent will fill your house in the summer.

Once the blooms fade in the fall, the plant tends to go into a dormant state. The sturdy leaves fall and for all intents and purposes, the orange start plant seems dead. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, the plant is just dormant. You need to repot it and in the next spring, it will come back to life with plenty of dark green leaves and orange or white flowers.

The USDA places the orange star plant on a hardiness zone between 10 and 11. This makes it ideal to grow inside your home. You can grow it in a pot or as a centerpiece on a table. Either way, it will definitely get all the attention.

How to Grow Orange Star Plants

So how would you go about planting this showboat of a plant? The complexity of planting and growing the orange start plant depends on how much horticultural experience you have. While experienced gardeners wouldn’t have a problem planting and caring for it, beginners might find it a little challenging. So let’s simplify this process for you.

  1. Soil is one of the key elements in the success of the orange star plants. So start with a potting mix of the best quality. It should be light, pest-free, and sterile. If the potting mix has a fertilizer in it that’s even better.
  2. Choose a medium-sized pot that can either be made of clay or plastic. Make sure it has plenty of drainage holes at the bottom.
  3. Fill the pot with soil up to 2 inches from the edge.
  4. Make a hole in the soil slightly bigger than the rootball of the orange star plant.
  5. Place the plant in the hole and fill it with soil. Press the soil firmly around the rootball to push out any air trapped there.
  6. Water the soil thoroughly until the excess water flows out of the bottom holes. This helps the soil settle.
  7. Place the pot in a sunny spot and make sure it gets 6 hours of sun every day. If it’s in a room, place it near a west or south-facing window.

Orange Star Plants Care

So far so good. Planting the orange star plant doesn’t seem any different from any other flowering plant you have planted before. The steps we detailed there are enough to give your plant a good start. Once the roots establish and the plant shows signs of growth, that’s when the care process starts. From watering to maintaining adequate temperature and light, you got your hands full.

Watering

Whether the orange star plant is growing and flowering or dormant, water is something you should pay attention to and get right. More water than it needs leads to root rot. The same applies to when the plant has shed its faded flowers and leaves. It will need less water than during the growing cycle. This is where the drainage holes in the pot come in handy. They’re the safety valve against waterlogging. Water the pot when the first inch of the topsoil goes dry in the summer. Aim the water to the center of the plant and let the water drop to the soil. Humidity is important for this plant, so place the pot in a tray of water in the summer.

Fertilizer

Just as with most flowering houseplants, the little soil in the pot is hardly enough to give the plant the nutrition it needs. Especially when it starts to flower. Flowering consumes a lot of the plant’s resources and energy, so you’ll need to supplement it with enough fertilizers to encourage a successful bloom. Just keep in mind that you don’t need to overfeed the plant. Use small doses of a well-balanced fertilizer once every week during the blooming cycle. Plant food supplements also help the orange star plant produce buds that are necessary for restarting the plant anew after it goes dormant in the winter.

Pruning

We mentioned the buds or offshoots as important for keeping the plant alive. Most often you’ll need to prune the orange star plant, especially after the flowers start to fade in the fall. This will motivate the plant to produce more offshoots right before it goes dormant. But even while the orange star is still in full bloom, you might need to prune it, removing wilted flowers, or dead or infected leaves. Sometimes you will need to trim it back to signal to the plant that it needs to grow more buds. Use clean and sterilized shears to prevent contamination.

Pests and Diseases

Like all flowering houseplants, your orange star plants fall victim to an attack by pests and bugs. It’s an unavoidable part of having this plant under your roof. Most common are mealybugs, spidery mites, and scales. But as with other plants, you can easily prevent them from inflicting more damage on the plant if you spot them early. In that case, just pick the few bugs scurrying around the leaves and flowers with your gloved hand and dispose of them safely in a bucket full of water with some washing detergent mixed in.

If the infestation is too large and the plant shows signs of stress, you can use neem oil. Coat the leaves and stalks liberally with the odorless oil to suffocate the little pests. Use a tissue to wipe off the excess oil along with the dead bugs. Don’t leave the oil on the leaves since it could lead to them withering away and dying.

As for diseases, root rot is by far the most common problem you might come across. It’s often caused by too much watering or bad drainage soil. The roots of the orange star are sensitive and can’t function in the excess water. When they rot, the plant will show signs of it. The leaves turn yellow and droop and if you don’t intervene, the leaves will drop and the plant will die. Hold off the water until the topsoil goes dry. If the problem persists, you might need to repot the plant after removing all the damaged roots.

Propagation of Orange Star Plants

Another issue you’ll have with growing and caring for the orange star is the need to propagate it. After it goes dormant, you’ll need to use either seeds or the dormant plant’s offshoots to start a new plant. Here are the two ways you can do that.

Offsets

Every mature orange star plant grows offshoots or buds around its base. These are your key to starting as many new orange star plants as you like. You’ll need to remove all the leaves when the plant goes dormant, cut a section of the plant where buds grow, and take the buds you need. This is best done in the fall, although some plants go dormant in the late summer and the offsets are ready for you to divide then. Choose the healthiest bulbs and use them to grow new plants.

To plant the bulb, prepare a pot with potting mix and push the bulb in a hole twice the height of the bulb then fill it with soil. Water the pot to keep the soil moist and put it in a warm room. In the next spring, the bulbs will sprout and grow into a full plant.

Seeds

Once the flowers lose their fragrance and start to wilt, keep a close eye on them. Soon you’ll see seeds developing in the middle of the small blooms. Wait for the seeds to ripen and turn brown in their pods before you collect them. If you wait for too long, the seeds will fall in the pot.

To plant the seeds, use the same potting mix you used to plant the bulbs. Cover it with a light layer of shredded bark, peat, or perlite. Sprinkle the seeds on the top of the soil then add a thin layer of dust. Fill the pot to the rim with aquarium gravel to prevent the seeds from flying in the wind. Water the pot gently just enough to keep the soil from being dry and place the pot outdoors in a shaded area. Come spring, the seeds will germinate and you can separate the seedlings and plant each in its own pot.

How to care for an orange star plant |

(Image credit: Alamy)

Caring for an orange star plant is pretty easy, once you get to know their growing habits. Also known as the Star of Bethlehem, snake flower and sun star, these vibrant flowering bulbs – with their clusters of bright orange flowers - will brighten up pots and borders year after year. They also make fabulous cut flowers for displaying indoors.

Originating from South Africa, these eye-catching spring blooms are real sun lovers, so if your yard is on the shady side, it’s well worth growing these in pots so they can be easily moved around.

 Growing up to 1ft (30cm) tall they boast up to 15-20 star-shaped flowers on each stem and if naturalized in the ground, make a stunning display. Do be warned though, if growing conditions are just right, these bulbs can spread rapidly and be tricky to get rid of as flower bed ideas. Another reason to raise them in container garden ideas instead. 

When and where to plant an orange star plant

(Image credit: Alamy)

‘If you decide to plant Star of Bethlehem flower bulbs in your landscape, do it in fall,’ say the team at Caribbean Garden Seed . ‘The plant is hardy in USDA Zone 3 with mulch and grows in Zones 4 to 8 without mulch.’ If you live in cooler climes this bold beauty can be raised in a conservatory or glass house and will bloom any time from late winter to spring for up to three months.

Total sun lovers these bulbs like nothing more than free-draining soil in a sunny spot. They can tolerate a little, occasional shade but this will reduce the number of flowers. Thriving in sandy, rocky situations they do like to be watered regularly – particularly during the growing period, prior to flowering – but can rot if left in waterlogged soil.

How to keep an orange star plant looking good

Outside, orange star plants bloom every spring for a couple of months. If planted inside they can keep producing flowers for upto three months straight, but there are a couple tips to keep these bulbs looking good, wherever they are. ‘Remove any faded flowers by pulling gently to separate them from the main stem,’ say the team at Bakker. com. ‘When the leaves turn yellow the foliage can be cut back.’ This ensures that the plant has stored up enough energy to form flowers for the following year.

Feeding with a slow-release liquid fertiliser throughout the growing period will encourage strong healthy growth and prolific flowering for this season and the next. This is particularly worth doing if growing in containers.

Can orange star plants become overcrowded?

In some growing situations this stunning plant can spread rapidly if left unchecked in borders. If you want to keep them in check or create a separate clump elsewhere in your yard, divide after flowering. Lift with a long-handled fork and carefully break into smaller clumps before replanting. Bulbs like to be planted about 2 inches (5 cm.) apart and at a depth of 5 inches (13 cm.). 

If you wish to totally remove a clump do be sure to lift every part of the bulb, as the slightest section can quickly regrow.

Can you grow orange star plants in a pot?

Orange Star plants are well suited to growing in pots – particularly if you are in a cooler climate – below HDSA zone 7. ‘This variety is not so hardy, best planted in pots and protected over the winter months,’ says Tracey Coyne of The Anglia Bulb Company . 

For the best results be sure to choose a pot with good drainage. Fill with specialist bulb compost with added grit or sand and be sure to keep well-watered but not waterlogged.

Are orange star plants prone to pests and diseases?

Orange star plants tend to be healthy and strong growers in the right conditions. They are not generally prone to pests and diseases, but all parts of the plant are toxic and the sap can irritate the skin, so do wear gloves and long sleeves when handling.

Jill Morgan has spent the last 20 years writing for Interior and Gardening magazines both in print and online. Titles she has been lucky enough to work on include House Beautiful, The English

Home, Ideal Home, Modern Gardens and Gardeningetc.com. Although much of her career has involved commissioning and writing about reader homes and home improvement projects, her

everlasting passion is for gardens and outdoor living, which is what she writes about for Homes & Gardens.  

Orange tree on your windowsill: care secrets

Contents of the article:

For each of us, the smell of orange and tangerine evokes a sense of celebration. Believe it or not, you can create this holiday for yourself all year round if you grow an orange tree on your windowsill. nine0003

Merkheulsky variety is most often grown in apartments: its height rarely exceeds one meter. If you try hard and be patient, you can collect from 2 to 40 fruits from one plant.

Orange tree: care at home

Orange is a tropical guest with great whims. He loves heat, so it is best to grow it in southern warm rooms.

In winter, it is desirable to place in special greenhouses for citrus fruits, but it is unlikely that a simple amateur grower has such an opportunity. nine0003

Orange is picky about the neighborhood. It is better if the following representatives of the flora are not next to him:

Lighting

The orange tree loves light. The owner must not only put it in a well-lit place, but also provide additional lighting. At the same time, it is better not to keep the plant in the open sun for a long time. There is a risk of leaf scorch. nine0003

Temperature regime

The ideal temperature is:

In order for an orange to bear fruit, it must be kept in a room with a temperature of 15-18 degrees.

In the heat and unbearable heat above +30 buds fall, and the plant itself slows down growth.

The peculiarity of the orange tree is that in the apartment it practically does not have a period of rest. You continue to take care of him the same way you took care of him. If you send it to a balcony or a special greenhouse in winter, the plant will go into a state of deep sleep, and care for it will be reduced to a minimum. nine0003

Video: Growing citrus at home

Watering

All citrus fruits love moisture. Because of this, in no case should the soil be allowed to dry out. As soon as the earth that was scooped up at a depth of 5-10 cm does not roll into a ball, start watering. In summer, an orange is watered daily, in winter the volume and frequency are slightly reduced: once every five or ten days. It all depends on the temperature of the content.

Irrigation is carried out exclusively with well-settled water. Be sure to warm -25-30 degrees. nine0003

Oranges may not show signs of water shortage for a long time. Only in case of critical dehydration, its leaves lose their former elasticity and fall. A plant in this state can no longer be saved.

Sprays

Orange, as a representative of citrus fruits, prefers the climate of the "bath". In a word, the air humidity should be as close to 90% as possible. You need to spray the plant every day and more than once. In addition, additional water containers should be placed next to the flower pot. nine0003

If the air in the room remains dry, a special humidifier can be used.

Top dressing

When feeding an orange tree, it is important not to overdo it with nutrients. There must be balance in everything. Experienced flower growers recommend using ready-made fertilizers like Humisola. Top dressing is carried out 2 - 3 times a year by the foliar method.

Crown shaping

To wait for the fruit, the crown of the tree must be put in order and shaped. If you keep it for decoration, then you can not cut it, just remove the shoots. Pruning is done in the spring. nine0003

Video: How to form citrus fruits

Transplantation

Young individuals - annually, older than 5 years - once every 3 years, old plants - every 6-7 years.

Oranges are long-lived. Having provided him with the necessary care, you will enjoy the aroma and taste of attractive fruits for a long time.

How to care for poinsettia so that it blooms - Agro-Market24

The Christmas star (poinsettia) is the symbol of Christmas in Europe. It has gained wild popularity thanks to the bright red bracts located at the top of each shoot. The plant is used to decorate the interior for the New Year and as a gift. How to care for a poinsettia? nine0003


Poinsettia is a tropical, heat-loving culture that feels great indoors. The plant prefers bright, diffused lighting.

On south-facing windows, the Christmas star can get burned, so it is advisable to place it on a table or shelf near the window. It is better to give preference to the eastern and western window sills, and put the poinsettia in the shade of other plants.

The optimum temperature for growing a flower is about + 22 ... + 24 degrees. In winter, the plant requires cool conditions, not higher than +20 and not lower than +15 degrees. Low temperatures lead to the death of the poinsettia. Culture is afraid of drafts and cold, so for the winter it is removed away from the window. nine0003

The Christmas star thrives in high humidity. In summer and winter, the plant suffers from dryness, the tips of the leaves may dry out, and the leaves may fall off. In addition, in dry conditions, the flower is more often affected by pests.

Poinsettia can be sprayed with clean water or placed on a pallet of wet pebbles.


What kind of soil to plant poinsettia

The root system of the Christmas star is very delicate, it does not tolerate both excess and lack of moisture. Therefore, success in growing a flower depends on the quality of the soil. nine0003

The soil mixture should be light, breathable and moisture-intensive, neutral in acidity. You can choose a ready-made universal substrate and add some river sand to it, or use soil for succulents.

Christmas star watering mode

Poinsettia requires moderate watering with soft, warm water. Water it as the topsoil dries up. But overdrying an earthy coma is unacceptable: the flower will certainly react and shed its leaves. nine0003

Watering should be plentiful, excess liquid should drain from the drainage holes. During the dormant period (after the end of flowering), the plant is watered less frequently, but the loss of leaf turgor is not allowed.


When and how to feed the poinsettia

The decorativeness of the flower largely depends on sufficient and timely top dressing. During flowering and dormancy, the plant can not be fed. And with the beginning of the growing season, poinsettia must be fertilized with universal complex compounds. nine0003

Closer to autumn, the composition of the top dressing is changed, increasing the proportion of potassium and phosphorus. The frequency of fertilization is every 2 weeks.

How to make a poinsettia bloom next year

The Christmas star, unlike most crops, does not need abundant and prolonged lighting and top dressing for flowering.

Learn more