Nerine (genus, nerines)

Japanese name: ネリネ
Scientific name: Nerine

[Overview]
A perennial with an underground bulb.
The leaves are basal, flat and slender, and appear after flowering.
In many species the leaves die back before summer and the plant is dormant from summer to autumn, but some are evergreen.
A long, cylindrical flower stalk grows from the bulb and bears an umbel with several flowers at the tip.
The flowers are funnel-shaped with 6 tepals, whose margins are wavy and curve backward.
The stamens and pistil protrude long.
The fruit is a capsule.

[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed or by dividing bulbs.
For overwintering, a temperature of 5 °C or above is safer; move potted plants to a place protected from frost and cold wind, or to a sunny spot indoors.
It can be left planted for several years.
It prefers sunny conditions and soil with good drainage, water retention and aeration.
It dislikes excess moisture.
During dormancy, when it has no leaves, it is better in shade and on the dry side, so in the ground it is best planted under deciduous trees or among summer grasses.
For potted plants, from when the flower stalk appears until before dormancy, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries, and during dormancy water only enough to keep the soil from drying out completely.
For plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
After flowering, apply a fertilizer rich in phosphorus and potassium.
When the flowers are finished, snap them off at the neck of the flower.
There are no particular pests or diseases, but soft rot, southern blight and sclerotinia rot may occur in overly humid conditions.

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