(Ornithogalum caudatum)Also known as Pregnant Onion is a very interesting easy to grow plant native of South Africa. Not really an onion, the plant starts with a bulb that grows
on top of the ground. Long, ribbon-like leaves will grow forth from the top of the bulb, eventually arching back toward the ground.
The bulb will reach up to 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter. The strap-like leaves are semi-succulent and will grow up to 36 inches (1 m) in length. It is an easy plant to grow and it is well suited for containers.
Blooming Time: The small white flowers with a green stripe usually flower from May to August. There may be as many as 50 to 100 flowers per stalk.
Culture: Ornithogalum caudatum are easy to culture. They need light shade to full sun with a well-drained soil. In the greenhouse, we use a soil mix consisting of 1 part peat to 1 part loam to 2 parts sand. The plants are allowed to dry slightly in-between waterings. If the plants are allowed to dry too much, they will go dormant.
In Zones 4-8, this plant would be good to bring outside on the shaded deck or patio for the late Spring and Summer months. Use caution here: if nights will be down into the mid 30's, bring them back inside. In the winter, you will see the bulb go into a dormant state. You can store the bulbs in a dark, cool basement until Spring or just let them be.
Propagation: Ornithogalum caudatum is propagated from bulbils that are formed on the sides of the main bulb or by seed.
The bulb will reach up to 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter. The strap-like leaves are semi-succulent and will grow up to 36 inches (1 m) in length. It is an easy plant to grow and it is well suited for containers.
Blooming Time: The small white flowers with a green stripe usually flower from May to August. There may be as many as 50 to 100 flowers per stalk.
Culture: Ornithogalum caudatum are easy to culture. They need light shade to full sun with a well-drained soil. In the greenhouse, we use a soil mix consisting of 1 part peat to 1 part loam to 2 parts sand. The plants are allowed to dry slightly in-between waterings. If the plants are allowed to dry too much, they will go dormant.
In Zones 4-8, this plant would be good to bring outside on the shaded deck or patio for the late Spring and Summer months. Use caution here: if nights will be down into the mid 30's, bring them back inside. In the winter, you will see the bulb go into a dormant state. You can store the bulbs in a dark, cool basement until Spring or just let them be.
Propagation: Ornithogalum caudatum is propagated from bulbils that are formed on the sides of the main bulb or by seed.
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