Ismene is a beautiful and delicate flower, which is characterized by the original form of the inflorescence. Today we will look at a detailed description of the changes, some of its species and the main tips for growing plants at home.
Botanical description
Ismene is a member of the Amaryllis family and is a deciduous flower. In nature, can be propagated by seeds and vegetatively. - by dividing the bulb, in a culture they are often propagated in a vegetative way.
Did you know? The name of the flower "Ismene" is associated with the name of the character in Greek mythology, Ismen, who is considered the founder of the Boeotian communities. An asteroid was discovered in honor of Ismen, which was discovered in 1878.
The plant belongs to onion perennials with a life cycle of about 4 years. It is characterized by the presence of long, pointed or more rounded leaves up to 50 cm in length, bright green color, they grow from the root. The height of the plant is about 80 cm - the maximum height is achieved due to the long peduncle, on the top of which an umbellate inflorescence is formed, having from 3 to 6 buds, which, when dissolved, become up to 15 cm in diameter.
The outer petals of the bud are narrow, long and slightly bent outward, inside the flower resembles a bell with long or short stamens. The center of the bell has a bright yellow, green or olive color. The flower itself is white or bright yellow, depending on the species.
In addition to the festivals, the bulbous flowers also include: gladioli, Babian’s flower, zephyranthes, Marlene lilies, Ixia, Romance crocus, kandyk, likoris, daffodils, dahlias and allium.
Some species at the beginning of bud blooming have snow-white flowers, which shortly before wilting acquire a creamy hue, while some remain bright yellow throughout the entire flowering process. The flower smells good, some species have a special fragrance in the evening. The flowering is not long, united or alternate - it blooms and changes from May to September, the flowering depends on the type and growing conditions. 
Distribution and habitat
Often ismene called "Peruvian daffodil", as the plant in nature is common in the west of South America, it can also be found on the islands of the Caribbean. The flower is warm, light and moisture-loving, prefers fertile, well-drained neutral or slightly acid soils, the pH of about 6.8.
To find out which soil for the plant will be most favorable, read how to independently determine the acidity of the soil in the area.
Determination of soil acidity with special devicesPopular types
In nature, there are many species and hybrids, both natural and artificially created, so consider the most popular of them, suitable for home cultivation.
Did you know? There are difficulties with the classification of this plant, since the seeds and the change were brought to the Eurasian continent relatively recently, not more than 200 years ago, and in nature it grows in hard-to-reach places, which complicates the process of studying a decorative flower.
The most famous representative of the imeni is the natural hybrid. Ismene Festalis, which is also called "Mexican daffodil" or "web lily" because of its lace inflorescences and long, thin outer petals. 
The hybrid was obtained from the crossing of the Longipetalus (long-petal) and the Narcissiflora and the narcissistic flowering. The plant differs from other representatives of the flower stalk of medium length - from 45 to 60 cm, at the top of which 6 buds with a diameter of more than 10 cm grow.
Ismene Festalis has fairly long white petals that are directed in the opposite direction. The buds smell great, exuding a pleasant vanilla scent that is especially revealed in the evening. The leaves are bright green, long, growing from the root, no different from the leaf plates of other species and hybrids.
Ismene Sulfur Quinn is a famous garden hybrid, which was obtained as a result of crossing Amankas and Imen and Narcissiflora. The plant differs from other representatives of the rich yellow color of buds, which consist of acid-yellow petals and a green asterisk in the center. Buds exude a pleasant sweet aroma. This hybrid in culture can be found under the name "Golden Peruvian Daffodil" or "the sacred lily of the Incas." The leaves of this hybrid are the same as the rest of the representatives of memene. 
The view is quite common Ismene Narcissiflora (narcissofloral), which is considered the most popular for growing in apartment conditions. The flower is also called "basketworm". The homeland of the plant is Mexico, the variety was introduced into culture in 1794. The appearance of the plant is very similar to the flower of pancratia, but the leaves are lighter and softer.
The deciduous part of the plant is characterized by a maximum length, rich green color and an excellent decorative appearance, not even in the flowering period. It has snow-white flowers, from 4 to 7 buds can appear on one peduncle, each bud is from 13 to 20 cm in diameter, has a pleasant aroma, not similar to the smell of other plants. In the center of the flower is a bell-shaped core with jagged edges, up to 5 cm long, with short bent stamens.
6 rather long and narrow petals are planted around the bell with a slight bend to the outside. The flowering of the plant is quite short, each bud opens at intervals of 2 days and blooms no more than 3 days. This species is taken as the basis for the creation of new hybrids and ismene. 
Use in landscape design
In landscape design in temperate climates, the change is rarely used, since it requires the movement of bulbs for the winter in the room. Despite this peculiarity, ismeni can be planted in winter gardens and greenhouses, as well as in flower beds in late spring. Sometimes the flowers are planted in flowerpots, which in the spring are carried outside and complement the composition - this way you can not only decorate the area, but also save the flower in winter: for this, the pot is simply put into the room for wintering.
The flower looks great when planting in small groups, and if you plant the bulbs at a distance of no more than 30 cm from each other, the plant forms a dense green carpet, which is very decorative even in the absence of buds. The main decoration is still considered unusual white or bright yellow flowers, which are abundantly covered with a tall, even peduncle.
Young, carnation, aster, thyme, bell, jascolk, stonecrop, edelweiss, sage (salvia), geykhera and yarrow, as well as ismene festalis, light-loving plants that will feel great on the beds under the constant influence of direct sunlight.
A very popularly described plant as a decorative flower and creating compositions in landscape design in warm countries, where the temperature does not fall below + 12 ° C in winter. Due to the warm climate, the bulbs tolerate winter well in the open field, and in the spring they begin to increase the green mass. Ismene goes well with almost all bulbous plants, but in order to make the composition as attractive as possible, they are planted in small groups. 
Growing up and caring for Festalis
In order to grow an exotic flower in a flower bed, it is necessary to take into account the peculiarities of the plant and follow the basic recommendations, which will be discussed below.
Conditions of detention
If the plant is grown under room conditions, it is important to provide him with a spacious pot, which is filled with drainage by a third and provide the bottom of the tank with good holes.
Important! The best place to land is the leeward side of fruit shrubs.
Ismene prefers to grow in a well-lit place, but suffers from direct sunlight. If the plant will be planted in open ground, you must carefully select a place in order for the flower to feel comfortable, develop normally and bloom. For planting fit the southern side of the site, which has a light partial shade in the hot summer hours. 
Soil and fertilizer
When planting plants in open ground, the soil is selected as fertile as possible. It is not suitable for cultivation of acid, clay soil, with high groundwater and poor drainage, which provokes a constant stagnation of water. Before planting, a special soil is prepared for the plant, which contains humus and river sand (2 parts of soil 1 part humus and 1 part sand).
Do not forget about regular feeding: for this purpose, use of universal mineral fertilizers for bulbous flowering plants and mullein, the introduction of which alternate with each other. Fertilizing is necessary to produce twice a month.
For cultivation ismeni in the apartment prepare a mixture of turf land, leaf earth, humus, sand (2: 1: 1: 1), vermiculite (2 tablespoons). At the bottom of the pot pour drainage - for this you can use expanded clay. 
In order for the plant to quickly grow green mass and bloom profusely, it is recommended to feed it with special fertilizers for bulbous flowers - they are used in accordance with the instructions on the bottle.
The first dose of fertilizing begins to make in the period of active growth of green mass, and continue to fertilize until the flower does not let the peduncle. During the flowering period and after it, it is impossible to feed and change it - it is necessary to ensure a rest period for the plant so that it prepares for wintering and begins the process of bulb maturation. 
Watering and moisture
Ismene does not tolerate stagnant water, but, nevertheless, it must be watered regularly. Particular attention should be paid to the plant during the growing season - at this time the soil should always be moist. Watering should be carried out when the top layer of the soil has dried up a little. During the rest period, watering is significantly reduced.
Familiarize yourself with the advantages of using drip irrigation, as well as learn how to organize a system of drip irrigation at the dacha.
Regular irrigation in the winter time depends on the temperature: at + 15 ° C water is watered once every month and a half with a small amount of liquid, at temperatures below + 10 ° C the flower does not need watering at all.
Ismene normally tolerates dry air, it is not necessary to spray it, as the flower will eventually get used to any indicator. 
When growing a flower outside, watering is carried out in accordance with weather conditions. If there are heavy rains in the summer, the plant can do without additional watering. If there is not enough rainwater, they change it regularly with clean water at the root, so that the soil is moist all the time. Watering is carried out after drying the top layer of soil. Watering the plant is necessary during the growing season - after it has faded, watering is stopped altogether.
Important! Despite the fact that too dry air will not affect the plant, it can cause pests on the flower, which are actively distributed in the apartment with dry air, so try to inspect and change occasionally and maintain the average humidity.
Relation to temperature
If the plant is grown in an apartment, the normal temperature in the summer is + 25 ° C, so in particularly hot summer days the pot is transferred to the coolest room. After flowering, a period of dormancy begins, and the plant needs to ensure a low content temperature - the optimum is from +12 to + 14 ° С. 
If the plants were grown outside, the bulbs are dug up and stored in small pots or boxes, covered with sawdust. Try to gently move the bulbs out of the garden soil, so as not to damage the roots - shorten them with scissors or cut them off by hand is prohibited.
Important! Drainage is necessary in order to prevent stagnation of water, which is detrimental to bulbous flowers.
If the storage temperature of the bulbs is more than + 15 ° C, this can provoke their premature germination, which violates the rest period and has a bad effect on the plant. In March, the bulbs of ismeni are planted in fresh ground (if they have not been hibernated in a pot with soil), carefully handling the roots. 
Bulbs and fampalis. Three days later, watering is resumed. - so do when grown in the apartment. If the harvest is grown in the garden, then at the end of March, the bulbs should be moved to a room with a temperature of up to + 20 ° C and left to allow the plant to leave the rest period independently. Planted in open ground is recommended in early May, when night frosts are excluded.
Flower propagation and planting
As mentioned above, the plant can propagate by seed and vegetatively - dividing the bulb, so consider in more detail each method of reproduction, as well as features of planting a flower in an open ground and a pot.
Seeds
Ismene is rarely propagated by seeds, since this process is quite long, and good flowering can be achieved only after 5 years after sowing. Seeds can be collected personally or purchased at a flower shop. 
If you decide to propagate the flower with seeds, they are recommended to soak in a small amount of liquid for a day. It should be sown in the prepared substrate, which is purchased at a flower shop marked "for bulbous plants." Seeds are sown in wells to a depth of half a centimeter, the distance between each well should be at least 5 cm.
It is better to sow several seeds in plastic cups. Capacity with seeds must be placed on the windowsill and monitor the soil moisture, preventing the drying of water and regularly pouring a small amount of liquid.
After 4 months, small onions are formed from the seeds. Each year, they must be transplanted into larger pots, sent for winter to a cool room, so that they rest. 
Thus, after a long time you will get a blooming and a change. For the fifth year of such cultivation, the bulb can be planted for the first time in open ground. At this time, the plant should bloom, flowering will occur when grown in an apartment.
Vegetative
When small babies appear on adult bulbs, they can be used for breeding. After the bulbs have been dug out of the garden soil, they are placed in the wintering place with the babies, not separated. This is necessary so that the children receive all the necessary food from a large bulb and survive until the planting season in the spring.
In the spring, children are separated from the main bulb as soon as they are transferred to a warm place. They are germinated in the same way as adult bulbs, but are planted in one pot by small families. - one adult bulb and several babies. 
The bulbs are buried in the soil in such a way that their upper part is lightly sprinkled with the substrate. Thanks to vegetative propagation, it is possible to achieve flowering and changes already in the third year after the landing of the babies.
Important! You can not separate the children from the main bulbs in the fall, since, most likely, they will not survive the winter.
In the open ground, the bulbs are grown in small pits: they are 5 cm deep into the soil. For planting, a special mixture is prepared from the soil, which was described above.
The soil is watered and only then set the onion, sprinkle with dry soil on top to avoid the formation of a crust. If during the landing period cool nights are observed, the planted bulbs are covered with a plastic bottle until the first shoots appear. 
Possible difficulties in growing
In the process of cultivating and changing at home, problems may arise that you should be prepared for:
- If the plant feels the lack of light, it stretches, the stem becomes too long and curves, the leaves stretch, turn pale or become yellowish, the plant may bloom very badly, or there will be no flowering at all.
- The flower does not tolerate prolonged stagnation of water, so a common problem is the rotting of the bulb, which cannot be fixed, and the plant soon dies.
- If it is wrong to choose the diameter of the pot, it can provoke a deterioration of flowering or its absence.
- The bulbs have very fragile and long roots, so when grown outside and then dug out for wintering, the roots can be damaged, which will cause the death of the plant.
- Due to lack of moisture, flowers can wither, fall off, and the leaves lose color, so it is very important to observe the irrigation regime and water with quality water, to prevent the substrate from drying out.
Pests, diseases and prevention
The most common diseases and pests that can affect the change, include:
- Anthracnose, which appears as black spots on the front of the leaves, the tips of the leaf plate become brown. The main cause of this condition is over-wetting of the substrate. To cure a plant, it is necessary to cut the leaves that have been damaged and treat it with a fungicide. - Bordeaux liquid (2%). To avoid the development of the problem, it is necessary to observe the mode of irrigation and regularly ventilate the room.
- Stagonsporosis, which manifests itself in the form of reddish strokes on the leaf plate and depressed red spots on the bulb. The problem develops due to infection with spores of a fungus that settled on a bulb. To overcome the disease, it is necessary to remove the bulb from the container, where it grew, or from the soil, to clean the scales and damaged areas, cutting them to healthy tissue. Next, treat the onion with "Fundazole", diluted in water (2 g of product per 1 l of liquid), leave it for 3 hours in solution. Dry the onion, plant it in a new substrate. There are no preventive measures to avoid infection.
- Mealybug, which is manifested by clumps of white color in the axils of the leaves, as a result of which the leaves dry out and deform. The main reason for the appearance of the pest is dry air in the room. In order to get rid of the pest, it is recommended to treat the flower with "Aktara" or "Fitoverm" preparations in accordance with the instructions on the package. To avoid contamination of the plant with mealybugs, it is necessary to maintain normal humidity in the room.
- Shchitovku, which manifests itself in the appearance of brown bumps, yellowing of surrounding tissues, blanching, wilting and drying of leaves. The main cause of the scythe is the dryness of the air. To cure a plant, it is necessary to scrape off the formed hillocks with a cotton pad and wipe all areas with a solution of household soap. Then you need to spraying "Metaphos" or "Aktellik" in accordance with the instructions. Next, place the plant in a plastic bag and leave it for 2 days in this condition. To avoid the appearance of scythes, it is important to prevent excessive dryness of the air.
If you want isme festalis to be healthy, use insecticides and fungicides.Thus, it is quite simple to grow and change at home, given the basic requirements of a flowering plant. In order to make the change happy for you bloom for many years, follow the basic guidelines for caring for a flower.
