The rain lily popularly known as Zephyranthes is another interesting plant with small flowers which opens its petals after a rainfall. As with the above-said characteristics, this beautiful plant is capable of enhancing the beauty of gardens or even classrooms with differentiated bright star-shaped blossoms. Rain lily plant care is crucial for the plant to grow well, bloom and produce seeds if you wish to start or replenish your seed bank. In this article browse, care tips and guides to planting, watering, extracting seeds for future use of rain lily plant are unveiled.
what is Rain lily
These are flowers that grow in areas where the climate is tropical and sub-tropical in nature and they’re perennials in nature. They are bulbous plants, these are plants which grow from bulbs that are found underground. These plants come in of several types and the flowers they bear range from white, pink, yellow and can even be orange colored. Although they are relatively hardy plants, it is important to know peculiar conditions they prefer.
Essential Rain Lily Plant Care Tips
- Soil and Planting Location :-
It is important to know that rain lilies have a bad disposition to waterlogged soil, therefore, requiring well draining soil. Rain lilies grow well in a combination of sand and loamy soil for rain lily plant care. If you are going to grow them outside then find an area with good drainage and one which is in direct sunlight to part shade. When planted in the indoors they should be placed in pots with drainage holes to facilitate proper drainage of water.- Watering
One of the important facts concerning the rain lily plant is that watering should be moderate. Many people know that the plant called Rhaphidophyllum, or ‘Raindrop’ gets its name due to the fact that it blooms after rain, but that does not mean that it must be watered excessively. Generally you should water the plant once the soil has dried about one inch down from the surface. Excessive watering of plants often results to root rot especially when the soil has poor drainage capability. In winter when the plants are not growing, water them less frequently by once every few weeks.- Light Requirements
A rain lily grows well in a sunny area, but it is happy in semi-shade too. In case you are growing them indoors, put the pot close to a sunny window so that the plants can access sunlight. Outdoors you have to choose a site that receives at least 6 hrs of direct sunlight in a day. Sunlight plays an important role and this is why the flowers need enough of it in order to bloom properly.- Fertilizing
Fertilization is another important aspect of plant nursing in the rain lily plant.In fertilization, the pollen from the stamen is transferred to the stigma of another flower. A general-purpose, water-soluble fertilizer should be applied every 4 to 6 weeks, from the beginning of the growing season which is spring up to the mid of summer season. This lets the plant get the proper nutrients to grow beautiful and healthy flowers to the house plant. It is advisable to feed the dogs lesser in the early morning and late evening or late at nights in the fall and winter period.- Temperature and Humidity
Rain lilies are summer-blooming perennials that love heat and should be grown in climates that are between 60-75F. They are able to grow in rather short seasons where the temperature drops slightly but it is advisable to protect them from frost. Rain lilies prefer the cool region but if your area experiences very cold weather especially in the winter season then the best thing to do is to grow the rain lily indoors or when the plant is becoming too large in the pots then move it indoors. In regard to humidity, the plant is quite comfortable whether the air is moist or dry.
How to Harvest Rain Lily Seeds
Rain lilies are very easy to propagate and one of the pleasures of growing this beautiful plant is sowing the seeds. After averaging one to two years of growth, if you are interested in propagating more rain lilies or capitally if you wish to share rain lily to other gardening enthusiasts, see the steps below on how to harvest rain lily seed:
- Wait for the Right Time
Once rain lilies have bloomed, do not mist the flowers or water the soil around the plant; let the flowers wilt. After the flowers have withered, seeds will be produced in seed pod like structures. Male flowers are small pubescent with green calyxes and corolla while the female flower is green small and at the base of the flower. It is suggested to harvest the pods when they get dry and this is evidenced by the fact that the pods start cracking. - Collect the Seeds
Collect the seeds after the seed pods have dried and turned brown and after the beginning of the crackline. The seeds are tiny, circular and are black in colour. One must avoid the pods or seeds from being crushed while picking hence must be very cautious. Ideally, seed collection should be done on a dry and sunny day so that no form of moisture is introduced to seed which hampers its germination. - Store the Seeds
Seed storage is a very important aspect that has to be considered to enhance seed viability. Seeds should be put in an envelope or a sealed container and should be kept in a cool and dry area. Place the label for the rain lily pot with the date of planting as well as the specific variety. Storing of the seeds of rain lily, if properly done, can last up to one year. - Planting the Seeds
If you wish to grow your rain lily from seeds, you have to first prepare the seeds for planting by prescribing them water before planting. It is recommended to sow the seeds in good drainage condition which can be done in pots If no pots are available then can be sown directly on the soil. The soil should remain moist at all times and the container must be put in a place with good lighting. Germination normally takes a few weeks and when you follow the rain lily plant care you will soon be growing new plants.
Common Problems and Solutions in Rain Lily Plant Care:-
Although rain lilies are very easy to care for, they are not completely problem-free, however
- Pests
Surprisingly, the tender rain lily plants do not require much maintenance and are usually not bothered by pests such as aphids, spider mites and snails. To ensure that the pests have been well controlled in the plant, is to check on the plant frequently, remove the pests using your hands and if the case is severe then apply insecticidal soap. - Overwatering
Too much water will cause some of the elements to rotten and this is one of the problems associated with the rain lily plant. To prevent this, keep proper drainage and water the plant only when it is dry. - Lack of Blooms
In case you realise that your rain lily is not flowering, you might need to provide light or water it more frequently. Ensure that the plant receives adequate light as well as water so that it begins to bloom.
Final Thoughts:-
It is encouraging to know that the process of learning about rain lily plant care is not complex at all as long as one knows what to do and what to look out for. When you grow your rain lilies in the right conditions, good drainage, right watering frequency, and sunlight, then you are sure of getting a beautiful flowering display in the coming years. Additionally incorporating seeds to be collected and planted helps you propagate and share this beautiful plant. Despite all this, with some slight effort, rain lilies will bloom and give a charming touch to your home or garden.
So, if you want to grow rain lily plants, or if they are already part of your garden and you want to make them bloom again and again, take care of the plants and follow the above steps and then you will have many healthy plants and numbers of seeds to grow the plant again next year.
