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Ornithogalum[or - ni - THOG - al - um ] is a genus of flowering perennial belonging to theAsparagaceaefamily and native to South Africa and Southern Mediterranean Europe .
The botanical name of the genus is a compounding of Greek wordsornithosmeaning birdandgalameaning milk .
This is think to cite the white color of the flowers .
The coarse name “ Star of Bethlehem ” is also derive from the flowers .
The six petal of the efflorescence resemble the northern superstar appearing in Jesus ’s birth story .
There are around 50 to 300 species , each having some rendition of this vulgar name .
While invading in many region , some mintage are favored by nurseryman for their showy bloom .
NOTE : Ornithogalum was originally placed in the class Liliaceae in 1763 .
Star of Bethlehem Flower Care
Size & Growth
While incredibly well-situated to develop , theOrnithogalumgenus takes some time to germinate and mature .
However , when all growing atmospheric condition are foregather , they can produce up to a height between 0.5 ’ to 1 ’ feet .
The distinctive bedspread is between 1 ’ – 2 ’ foot with narrow , semi - erect , and grass - like foliage .
Linear leaves are around 12 ” inches long and produce from basal clumps .
As the blooming season approaches , the leave start out to droop and fade , allowing flower halt to heighten .
Flowering and Fragrance
The wiz - shaped showy flowers of the genus are its independent attraction .
At flower sentence the flower stems start rising in late leaping to early summer and are about 6 ” – 8 ” inches in height .
Each bow bears around 10 or 20 white flowers in overt and umbel - like terminal bunch . Some compare the flowers to a whitecamassia plant .
The blooms have a light-green band on the outside of all six flower petal .
The flowers open around noon and tight when the Dominicus sets or is hidden behind benighted clouds .
Light & Temperature
Generally , Ornithogalum plants are hardy to USDA Hardiness zone 4 to 9 .
dissimilar coinage grow well in different geographical zone .
For illustration , Ornithogalum nutansandOrnithogalum umbellatumare hardy to USDA zone 6 through 9 , whileO. dubiumis hardy to USDA 8 - 11 .
The industrial plant tolerate both full sun and fond shade .
Sheltered photo is necessary if the sun is during the hottest portion of the summer season .
Watering and Feeding
The plants have average watering need and do well with veritable watering throughout the growing season , i.e. , from early springtime through early summertime .
Once the florescence is over , and the parting have started to yellow , recoup water and do n’t resume until new growth appears .
A general - role , houseplant liquid plant food will do well for the plants .
When the plants are new and germinating , apply fertilizer every two weeks .
For fledged industrial plant , keep back feed after the growing time of year finish .
Soil & Transplanting
Star of Bethlehem plant grows best in organic and humous - rich grease .
They favor average wet and well - drain stain mixtures and are suitable for acidulous , electroneutral , and alkaline soils .
It is an easygoing plant to uprise and succeed in most ordinary garden soil , but sandlike and loamy soils are preferred .
As for transplant , the plant do n’t need to be graft .
The only time they demand to be moved is when the plant bulbs are in the first two increment years .
large bulbs should be move right away to permanent website while the small ones should be moved first to pot for one year .
Grooming and Maintenance
The works is not hard to spring up , but it need careful tending when it comes to criminal maintenance .
This is mostly due to the trespassing nature of some of the Ornithogalum metal money .
invalidate mowing or cutting them when the bulbs are just beginning to spring up .
Also , do n’t switch off them down before they have set seed .
trim the dead foliation when the leaves are commence to pall out and return .
Once the blooms from the heyday bulbs have melt , clip off the drop blooms to keep self - seeding and over - spreading .
related to Reading : Growing Unique Ornithogalum Caudatum – Pregnant Onion Plant
How to Propagate Star Flower Plants
The plant may be disperse with semen .
Sow the seminal fluid in a cold build as before long as they are mature during the gloaming or spring .
Place the germ on the open and cover them lightly , leaving them undisturbed for the first dormancy time period .
Feed liquid plant food at interval during the second twelvemonth of growth .
At the end of the 2d maturation year , separate 2 to 3 bulbs in a hatful and allow them to grow for one more year , displace them to their lasting localization when they ’re dormant .
Divide offsets or electric light in September or October . set the expectant plant bulb immediately in their permanent position .
For small-scale Ornithogalum lightbulb , it’s advised to pot them first .
Let them establish for a year and then constitute them out in late or former summertime .
Ornithogalum Flower Pest or Diseases
The plants are mostly free of serious insect and plague problem .
Bulb rot and root rot may be a problem in flora where the soil does n’t have estimable drainage and gets too soggy .
Improving the soil ’s drain may ameliorate the plant ’s wellness .
Is This Plant Toxic?
Some plants within the genus Ornithogalum are experience to have toxicity . They are roll in the hay to be poisonous and impairment or even kill shaving animals .
These plants ’ bulbs hold alkaloid and cardenolides , which are toxic .
If any part of the plant is take in , it may stimulate discomfort . The sap can chafe the skin on direct contact .
Be careful if you have pets and/or children and if you live in an area where grazing animals can get at the plants .
Is This Plant Invasive?
The plant is decorative but is invasive in some region where grow conditions suit the shrub ’ needs .
Ornithogalum umbellatumis listed as a Class C weed in Alabama .
Bethlehem Starflower Uses
Some species such as :
are sold as ornamental and cut bloom .
The plant grow well and look unbelievable in patio container and pots .
This will allow you to control their growth and keep limited to the pots .
Naturalize the plant in grass , meadow , shrub borders , woodland margins , and other wild area where they do n’t become a problem .
keep off planting the Star of Bethlehem in rock gardens and formal garden , where the species can overtake other plants and become a job .
