Japanische Krötenlilie / Tigerstern (Wildform)

Season Overview

Description

As a plant genus, toad lilies (bot. Tricyrtis) belong to the lily family (bot. Liliaceae). There are 23 known species of this genus worldwide. Many of these plant species are extremely rare and can only be found in small, isolated areas. Plants of the Tricyrtis genus are shade plants that appear delicate and resemble orchids in appearance. These attractive flowering plants are often referred to as garden orchids. The name of the Tricyrtis plant genus comes from the Greek terms tri for three and kyrtos for convex. It is derived from the three sepals on the plants. The species of the genus toad lily impress with their long flowering period. The flowers are abundant and appear late in the year. Depending on the plant species, Tricyrtis plants begin to flower between June and August. The flowering period lasts until the first frosty days in October. Distribution The plants of the toad lily genus are native to East Asia. Their distribution ranges from the Himalayas to the People's Republic of China to Taiwan and Japan. One plant species is native to the Philippines. Growth The species of the Tricyrtis genus thrive as perennial herbaceous plants. They form rhizomes as survival organs. These are creeping, often short and only occasionally longer. The average growth height of the plants is about 80 centimeters. Under ideal conditions at their location, plants of this genus reach heights of up to 150 centimeters. Tricyrtis species form upright or ascending stems. They are simple. Depending on the species, the stems branch in the upper area. Leaves Toad lilies are notable for their numerous medium green leaves. They are distributed alternately on the stems of the plants. Leaf stalks are short or barely present, so that the leaves almost sit on the stems. The leaf blades are thin and simple. Their shape ranges from ovate to elliptical. The upper ends of the blades appear pointed to sharp. The base of the blade partially or completely encompasses the stems of the plants. The leaf veins run parallel. There are numerous leaf veins. Flower The striking flowers of the toad lilies grow individually on the plants. They rarely form racemose inflorescences. They are hermaphroditic, trifoliate, and trumpet- to bell-shaped. When cut through the axis, the flowers form congruent halves. For this reason, botanists describe the flowers as radially symmetrical. The six bracts of the flowers are free and unequal. They usually appear bent back or widely spread at their upper ends. The petals are often not durable. Three bracts form the outer perianth; they are short-spurred or sac-shaped. Many purple spots appear on the white or yellow leaves of the perianth. Three stamens form two circles. The slightly flattened filaments are located at the base of the perianth. In the upper area, these filaments converge to form a short tube. The three carpels form a superior ovary with three chambers. Each chamber contains numerous ovules. The style of the flowers is columnar. Fruit Plants of the genus Krötenlilien form capsule fruits. These are triangular and broadly cylindrical. As scatter fruits, they open at the lines marked on the ovary. This releases the seeds. Use Toad lilies are suitable as ornamental plants in borders and garden beds. They look decorative in pots on balconies and terraces. They provide long-lasting decoration as cut flowers in a vase.

Growing tips

🌞 Location & soil - Semi-shady to shady, light-flooded shade under woody plants - Protected from hot midday sun - Cool location - Protected from the wind, but airy - Humus-rich, loose - Slightly acidic to neutral - Nutrient-rich - well drained, permeable 🌱 Sowing & planting - Pre-cultivation: February/March - Substrate: fine, humus-rich sowing soil - Direct sowing: Autumn after seed maturity (cold germinator) - Germination temperature: 15-20 °C - Germination period: 21- 84 days - Sowing depth: 0.5 cm (light germinator) - Planting time: Spring or fall (mid/end of May) - Planting distance: 30-40 cm - Row spacing: 35-50 cm - Water, keep evenly and constantly moist 💧 Care - Watering: evenly moist, no waterlogging, mulch layer, Water regularly during dry periods, do not allow to dry out - Basic fertilization: Compost or well-rotted manure in spring - Fertilization: little (plant manure), do not overfertilize - Withered plants can be removed regularly - Slug protection recommended 🌾 Pruning - No pruning necessary during the season - Withered plants can be removed, but not necessary - Do not cut the plant back immediately after flowering - Foliage may naturally retract → strengthens the rhizome - Only cut when the foliage has completely yellowed - Remove old, dry stems close to the ground in late winter or early spring ❄️ Winter protection - Cover the root area with leaves, straw or brushwood - Additional fleece if winter is very cold - Keep potted plants frost-free or well protected over winter - Avoid waterlogging 🌿 Good neighbors - Ferns, funcias, astilbes, Solomon's seal, fairy flowers, purple bells - Caucasian forget-me-not, lungwort, honeysuckle, woodruff, blueberries - Japanese maple, Asian dogwood, rhododendron, azaleas, rock pear - Waldsteinia, hazelroot, ysander, helichrysum, hellebore, hydrangea, rhododendron - Lettuce, spinach 🚫 Bad neighbors - Thyme, sage, lavender, limb herbs, sedum, stonecrop, yucca - Bamboo, goutweed, ivy, fast-growing grasses, bamboo, reeds - Roses, coneflower (Echinacea), cockades - Catmint, phlox, yarrow, marigold, cosmos, begonia - Oregano, thyme, sage, savory, lemon balm, dill, coriander, wormwood - Chives, onions, garlic, chard, carrots, bush beans - Parsnips, beet, black salsify - Potentilla, spirea, summer lilac, low roses, currants - Ornamental cherry, hawthorn, apple tree, pear tree - Runner beans, field beans, maize, turnips, rape, celery - Lovage, tomatoes, cucumbers, pumpkin, zucchinis, cabbage - Hazelnut, elderberry, privet, forsythia - Walnut, maple, birch, willow, chestnut, weigelie - Strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries - Mint, comfrey, sunflower, Jerusalem artichoke 🍂 Diseases - Powdery mildew - Leaf spot diseases - Root rot 🐌 Pests - Aphids - Largemouth weevil - spider mites - Caterpillars - snails

Details

Light requirement

Semi-shaded

Water requirement

Moist

Soil

Medium (loamy)

Nutrient requirement

Medium

Light germinator

Germination temperature

15 - 20 °C (Degrees Celsius)

Plant distance

35 cm

Row spacing

40 cm

Seeding depth

0.5 cm