Lycoris incarnata ("Tanukinokamisori")

Japanese name: タヌキノカミソリ （狸剃刀）
Scientific name: Lycoris incarnata

[Overview]
A perennial about 50 cm tall, found on mountain slopes and similar places in its native range.
Underground there is an ovate bulb 3 cm in diameter.
The leaves are basal and linear, about 30 cm long and 1.2 cm wide.
The leaves appear in spring and wither in summer.
After the leaves wither, the flower stalk rises.
Several flowers are borne in an umbel at the tip of the flower stalk.
The flowers are 6-petaled, about 5 cm long.
The tepals are white with a reddish purple stripe in the center.
The stamens are about as long as the tepals.

[Cultivation]
Propagate by dividing the bulbs.
It can be left planted for several years.
It prefers soil that is sunny, well drained, moisture-retentive and well aerated.
Take care not to overwater; for potted plants, from the time the flower stalks emerge until dormancy, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries, and during dormancy water just enough that the soil does not dry out completely.
For plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
Apply a fertilizer high in phosphate and potassium after flowering.
When flowering is over, snap off the flower stalk at the neck of the flower.
There are no particular pests or diseases, but soft rot may occur if the soil becomes too wet.

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