Free Vallota Speciosa Hybrids Plants

An excellent plant for creating a colourful display on a sunny windowsill. The red, pink or white blooms are produced late in the summer, when the light intensity is high. This means that the Vallota normally produces well-balanced growth, and will only become top heavy or etiolated ifthe light is not strong enough. If the growth does start to ‘stretch’ or bend, the plant should be provided with a cane support to stop it collapsing. Vallota is an easy plant to grow, provided it is not over¬ watered, as this can cause the bulb to rot. After flowering, the plant produces bulbs as offsets and in the spring or early summer these can be removed and potted singly.

Plant type : Flowering bulb with erect habit
Season of interest : Late summer
Size : 45-60cm (18—24in)
Flower : Six-petalled, trumpet-shaped, 7.5-10cm (3—4in) across, white, pink or red, on 45-60cm (18—24in) stalks
Leaf : Strap-shaped, 30-45cm (12—18in), green
Temperature : 13-20°C (55-68°F)
Aspect/Light : Full sun
Humidity : Moderate
Watering : Evenly moisten compost in spring and summer; keep on dry side during autumn and winter dormancy
Feeding : Once every two to three weeks with flowering plant fertilizer in spring and summer
Propagation : Remove bulbs produced as offsets in spring or early summer and pot singly in houseplant potting compost, first in 9cm (3±in) pots to become established, then in 13-18cm (5—7in) pots to mature and flower
Potting : Houseplant potting compost
Problems : Bulb rot; can become top heavy
Availability : Occasionally available from early to mid summer
Uses indoors : Windowsill plant or for display on furniture near window in lounge, dining room or kitchen