Dichelostemma (genus)

Japanese name: ディケロステンマ
Scientific name: Dichelostemma

[Overview]
A bulbous perennial.
The corm is covered with fibrous hairs.
The leaves are basal and linear.
An umbel is borne at the tip of a long flower stalk, and there are bracts at the base of the inflorescence.
The flowers have 6 petals, and the tube is longer than the tepals and is bell-shaped to tubular, swelling partway along.
There are usually 3 fertile stamens, and there are also staminodes.
The style is thick and winged.
The fruit is a capsule.
After flowering, the above-ground parts wither and the plant goes dormant.

[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed or by division of bulbs.
It can overwinter outdoors in regions without frost.
It prefers a sunny, well-drained place.
Take care that it does not become too wet; from planting until flowering, water thoroughly when the soil dries, gradually reduce watering once the leaves begin to wither, and stop watering during dormancy.
It can be left planted for 2–3 years.
If digging up the bulbs, do so after the above-ground parts have withered, and store them dry in the shade.
Apply base fertilizer; nothing more is particularly necessary.
If you are not collecting seed, cut the flower stalk at its base once the flowers are finished so that the plant does not become exhausted.
There are no particular pests or diseases.

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