With its voluptuous white flower petal and elegant form , the Polianthes tuberosa also pack a fragrancy puncher , perfuming the air with its powerful scent .
Native to Mexico , the tuberose ( Agave amica ) flourish in full Sunday and wo n’t digest temperature below 50 ° F . So if you live on in zones 7 to 10 , you ’re in fate because the tuberose is alovely additionto any landscape painting . In cold zona , grow these beauties in containers and bring them indoors to wintertime . If you do n’t know your grow zone , utilize thisUSDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map .
About the Tuberose
Common Names
A rose is a rosiness by any other name , and a tuberose is no different . Previously categorize botanically asPolianthes tuberosa , taxonomer have now identified the Polianthes tuberosa as an agave , i.e. a part of the Agavaceae class with the botanic name ofAgave amica .
nurseryman will realise it by a range of common names , however , include :
Plant Description
The tuberose is a cactus , or succulent , specifically . This stand for it is also recurrent . It is a graceful , improbable plant that flowers in summer or fall , and it makes an excellent cut flower .
Here ’s a abbreviated sum-up :
Planting a Tuberose
As a Mexican aborigine , tuberose needs a warm position and some pampering if you survive alfresco of the cold part of its geographical zone , which some expert peg at USDA hardiness zone 7 . Others say zone 8 , however , so be disposed to make for it indoors in wintertime if you know in a colder mood .
Choosing a Location
tuberose spring up better in full sun , which means 6 or more hour of lineal Dominicus daily , although they can hold some fond refinement . Like most industrial plant , they call for a well - draining location . So if your garden has some low patch in which body of water tend to pool or the ground is sloppy , look elsewhere before preparing the gob .
Planting Your Tuberose
tuberose are available in nursery as either plants or bulbs . Whichever you have , wait until after the last freeze in your positioning before planting , and make certain that daytime temps remain at least 70 ° atomic number 9 . In a full - sunshine placement that has estimable drainage , dig the soil to a depth of about 8 column inch , remove any hard lumps of territory or rocks .
Dig a muddle for each plant life or bulb about 6 in apart on all slope . Add compost to enrich the hole ; then plant electric-light bulb 3 in mystifying with the pointed side - up , or nestle industrial plant into the hole so that they are at the same depth in your garden as they were in the stack . Gently urge down the grime , and water thoroughly .
Tuberose Care Throughout the Seasons
canonical tuberose charge includes regular watering and fertilizing during the grow season .
In clime colder than zona 7 , dig out the bulbs and stash away them over the winter ; then replant in springtime .
Pests and Diseases
Tuberose can develop a reach of fungal diseases , including Alternaria leaf stain , bacterial foliage position and botrytis . To ward off these diseases , void overhead watering to keep the foliage dry , and do n’t irrigate at night .
Trim leaves if the plant have become too crowded to improve circulation . For bacterial folio dapple and botrytis , you should take out any infected plant part .
Tip
It ’s a unspoilt idea to sporadically explore your garden at dark or in the former morning to make certain no pesterer are assail your tuberoses .
plague that may target tuberoses admit microscopical root knot nematodes , which make galls to form on the root , resulting in wilted or stunted plant life . These nematode worm infect the filth , so if your plant has developed this job , you will demand to comprehend it out and discard it ; then replant the Polianthes tuberosa in another area of your landscape .
Aphids and slugs can also attack tuberose . you could hose off aphids , spray the plant with insecticidal max or insert rude predators , such as lady beetle or wasps . To control slugs , use cornmeal or beer traps , or essay placing a barrier around your plant . Exploring your garden at dark or early dawn can reveal these critters so you’re able to dispose of them .
Propagating a Tuberose
The best methods to propagate tuberose are through either shank cuttings or bulb division .
Stem Cuttings
A stem cutting is just a plane section of fore that has leaves or buds seize to it . During the growing season , clip off a 3- to 5 - inch part of a tuberose stem ; remove the upper leaves ; then dip the bottom goal into a rooting internal secretion intermixture . post it into a grass with sanitized potting mix , and locate the pot in a bright orbit with collateral sunshine . secure the cutting off retains moisture until it take shape root .
Dividing Bulbs
While most experts refer to the Polianthes tuberosa nonchalantly as a bulb , it ’s not in reality a true bulb , so itneeds more carewhen dividing its roots . After the works has pass back , cautiously dig out the light bulb , and use a sharp knife to cut the bulbs apart , have certain each plane section has a few growing " eyes . " Replant the bulb section in a fresh garden bed at the same depth as they had been develop .
