A graceful orange star plant a bit reminiscent of lily flowers, will perfectly decorate the garden in spring. These bulbous plants are quite hardy, easy to grow, and love well-drained potting soil. From this article, you will learn about orange star houseplant care in the open field, how to propagate it and where to use it in the garden.
Orange star houseplant care: plant description
Orange star plants or Ornithogalums are bulbous perennials with spring or summer flowers, usually orange and white flowers, star-shaped.
Characteristics of the genus, origin
The genus Ornithogalum is a bulbous perennial belonging to the Asparagus family, the genus includes about 300 species. These are geophyte ornamental plants: plant orange star bulbs spend unfavorable periods with cold weather in the ground. This is their survival strategy – they are at rest until conditions are favorable.
It was first grown in southern Europe. Ornithogalum dubium is especially common in the Mediterranean basin and is also found in Africa, Western Asia, and the Caucasus. Gardeners grow orange star plants in fields, on uncultivated lands, along roads, and in light undergrowth. Most species have frost resistance at a level of -10 to -25 °C.
Orange star plants are hardy plants that are easy to grow. They need many drainage holes and soil moist free of stagnant moisture, and good indirect light to flower well. Outdoor plants may need several waterings in the spring during growth and flowering. Then they go into hibernation and are forgotten until the next year.
The orange star plants are propagated by dividing the bulbs. The name Ornithogalum comes from the Greek words:
- ornithos (ορνισ) – which means a bird;
- gala – milk.
This name is explained by the white color of the blossoms or a hint of “bird’s milk”, something rare and mysterious! Ornithogales are also called the Star of Bethlehem (because of the six-pointed star-shaped bright orange flowers). The star of Bethlehem according to the Bible, heralded the birth of Jesus. Also, this plant is sometimes called Indian onion.
Plants are now in the Asparagus family, like asparagus, although they were previously classified in the Liliaceae family.
Warning: some types of orange star plants contain alkaloids, which can be toxic!
Plant shape and height
Orange star plants develop from an underground bulb, and form basal leaves and a thin, upright stem, at the end of which inflorescences are located. During flowering, indoor plants gain height, but in general, they are not very tall.
One of the smallest species of Balanza’s garden plants does not exceed 10 cm, while the peduncles of Saunders’ flower garden can reach 1 m in height. This plant has upright, unbranched stems that carry a bouquet of densely clustered blossoms at the ends.
Flowers
The bright orange flowers are star-shaped, often 0,78-1,1″ in diameter. The petals are very thin, elongated, or much more rounded, like Ornithogalum arabicum. The blossoms are collected in inflorescences, placed at the ends of upright, usually bare, leafless stems.
Inflorescences come in different shapes: sometimes thin, elongated, pyramidal, short, or flattened. Ornithogalum umbellatum flowers are collected in loose inflorescences. Orange star plants usually have blossoms pointing skyward, but Ornithogalum arabicum has wilted flowers horizontally or at an angle to the ground.
The sun star flowers consist of 6 tepals (3 petals and 3 sepals of the same shape). They also have 6 stamens (male reproductive organs) that are quite decorative, often pale yellow, and carry pollen.
In Ornithogalum saundersiae and arabicum, the center of the flower has a black “pearl” appearance that contrasts beautifully with the white petals. In most species, the ovary is quite large, but usually, it is discreet, and green-yellow.
Most orange star plants have white flowers, more or less greenish. There may be a green stripe on the underside of the tepals. Ornithogalum nutans have an excellent silver color, and Namib Sun has yellow.
Ornithogalum dubium has bright orange flowers. Sun star flowers are suitable for making bouquets. How long do orange star plants live? Used by florists, they have a good vase life of 2-3 weeks, depending on the variety. Some species, such as Ornithogalum arabicum, have fragrant flowers.
If you are fond of floriculture, you will also be interested in learning how to care for plants:
Leaves
In the orange star plant, the dark green leaves are basal, depart directly from the bulb, and are usually located in a rosette. The leaf blades are long and linear, almost filiform, like grass leaves, 3-23″ long.
The foliage is rather discreet, not of great decorative interest. The leaves are flexible, often drooping. Sometimes the foliage tends to lie flat on the ground. In some species, the leaf has a light midrib forming a white longitudinal line on the upper side of the leaf.
Although the plant’s leaves are usually filiform, some species have much broader foliage, such as dubium and arabicum. The leaves turn yellow after flowering, dry out, disappear over time, and the plant goes into hibernation. They will reappear in the growing season.
Roots
Orange star plants have small ovoid or rounded bulbs, these are reserve organs that allow the plant to spend the unfavorable season underground, waiting for favorable conditions. The bulbs produce small bulbs attached that are easy to separate from the main bulb to propagate the plant.
Given the size of the bulbs, which usually have up to 35 mm in diameter, the plant is classified as small-bulbous. But there are exceptions – the Ornithogalum caudatum has a rather large bulb located partially on the soil surface, similar to a caudex (the bulge of the base of the trunk in succulents).
Fruit
After pollination of blossom, if they are not cut, fruits are formed – boxes, usually with six protruding ribs, in which black seeds are located. Indoor plants tend to seed spontaneously and can naturalize in the garden by dispersing themselves.
Where to plant and grow orange star plants?
The orange star plant loves direct sunlight. But it can be planted in direct sunlight or partial shade. To make it easier to care for, it is better to find a place when planting an orange star where the flowers can enjoy the midday full sun. The Ornithogalum dubium needs good light to bloom profusely. Avoid the scorching full sun, as well as too dense shade.
From observations, it can be said that when grown in the full sun, the orange star plant becomes more stocky, and blooms more abundantly, but is shorter than a sun star plant growing in partial shade. Growing orange star plants in the indirect sunlight bloom a few days later.
The soil
For the orange star plant it should be:
- Well, drained soil. Like many bulbs, the orange star plant does not like too wet soil, especially in autumn and winter. Moist soil can lead to root rot.
- Fertile, suitable potting soil. Although the orange star plant grows well on well-draining soil with a low content of organic matter.
- Preferably slightly peaty, with a pH close to neutral.
How to improve the potting soil for an orange star plant:
- Very loamy potting soil is contraindicated. However, such soils can be loosened by mixing with fine gravel.
- On sandy soil, it is worth making compost every spring.
- If the soil is too heavy, you can add gravel to the area or create an embankment so that the water can run off.
Landing
When to plant an orange star plant? Usually, the bulbs are planted in the spring, however, in warm regions, they can be planted in the late summer. For a beautiful visual effect, it is better to plant plants in groups of at least 5 bulbs. Keep a distance of at least 4″ between the bulbs. Planting bulbs of outdoor plants in spring in open ground:
- Dig up the soil to loosen it, if necessary, add drainage materials: coarse sand, and gravel.
- Dig a hole, and place the bulb in it in the right direction: tip up. Orange star bulbs should be planted at a depth of 2-4″, depending on size. You can plant the bulbs in a special basket for planting bulbous plants, so it’s easier to dig them out.
- Fill the bulbs with earth, and lightly tamp the soil with your hands.
- Water the plant.
You can also plant it in a pot, which is placed on a balcony, or terrace. How to plant a flower in a pot? It is necessary to take pots with drainage holes in the bottom for water to drain. Place a layer of gravel on the bottom to improve drainage. Then plant the bulbs in a potting mix consisting of all-purpose soil mixed with coarse river sand.
How do you care for an orange star?
Orange star plant, planted in a suitable location, requires minimal maintenance. Species native to South Africa, less adapted to our climate, require more attention than European species.
How do you water an orange star plant?
Orange star plant appreciates moist soil in the spring, during the growth and flowering period (until summer, depending on the variety). It is necessary to water them, especially if they are grown in pots, allowing the substrate to dry out between two waterings. After flowering, the foliage withers, and the bulb replenishes its nutrient reserves. Then you need to stop watering.
Excess water must be avoided until the end of winter, otherwise, the bulbs risk rotting. You can mulch the soil around the plants to limit weed growth and retain moisture longer. Pots can be fertilized during the growth period, then stop feeding after flowering, when the foliage turns yellow. Fertilizers are applied 2 months after planting the bulbs.
Pest and disease, problems
The orange star plant is not very susceptible to diseases or pests. Particular attention should be paid to excess moisture. If water stagnates in the soil, the bulbs are more likely to rot. If, after flowering, the leaves of the mature orange star plant turn yellow, this means that the plant replenishes its reserves. Then Ornithogalum dubium goes into hibernation. This is the natural life cycle of a plant.
Reproduction
Some species disperse and spread spontaneously. Orange star plant seeds are rarely practiced; it is quite easy to propagate with bulbs. Since new bulbs are always in abundance, you should not bother with seeds. Seeds are tiny and, due to the large production of daughter bulbs, are of no importance, except for breeding work.
Child bulbs
The bulb produces baby bulbs, also called babies, which can be used to propagate. Flower growers advise dividing the bulbs every 4 years. This will give them more space, allowing them to bloom Ornithogalum dubium more beautifully and profusely. Sun star plant bulbs are divided when the plant is at rest, in summer or autumn.
Dig up the bulbs with a shovel and separate them carefully. You can sort them, leave the most beautiful ones, excluding the damaged ones. Dig up the ground and immediately transplant the young bulbs to a new location or pot (in a mixture of potting soil and sand).
Seeds
Within 8 weeks we stratify the seeds in the refrigerator. Sow the seeds in a container and very carefully cover them with the earth. Then grow seedlings in a bright warm place.
As you can see, such a plant is quite beautiful and suitable for any garden. Have you already grown a flower in your garden? Share with us the secrets of care and photos in the comments.
If you are interested in other plants for example snow queen pothos or peperomia raindrop read the other articles in our web.