Tuberose

Description

Name: Tuberose
Scientific Name: Polianthes tuberosa
Family: Amaryllidaceae

Soil: A mix of gardening soil and the native sandy soil.
Sun: I put them in the east facing side so they can be protected from afternoon sun.
Water: During the summer, I water them according to the local watering schedule: three days a week using drip system as well as splash them down with water hose once a while.
Fertilizer: Without much sun light and fertilizer, the jasmine doesn’t flower, just grown leaves. Therefore, it is important to feed it fertilizer for acid love plants. With the Acid Food for Azalea, Camellia, and Rhododendron, they are growing quite happily. I will also try a Dr. Q’s Acid Food.
Care: This plant grows rather well here with very little care.
Tips: Since the whole plant is very fragile with soft leaves and branches, it is important to protect it from being stepped on. Once the leaves and branches are damaged, there will be no flowers for the remainder of the season.

Description:

The tuberoses have long, soft, green leaves. Its beautiful white flowers grow on spikes. The flowers share some similarity with certain yucca (the ones whose petals are thick and large). Once in bloom, the tuberoses are both fragrant and lovely.

Contrary to what I thought, the tuberose is not native to Hawaii, though it can be purchased at almost any flower stand there. It is a native of Mexico, which makes it easy to grown here with very little care. I purchased a few bulbs from Home Depot a few years back and these hardy perennials kept coming back each time spring arrives. Unfortunately, because of their delicate and water retaining leaves, my dogs have found them both appetizing and cool to sit on. Before long, my tuberose all died back down before flowers can be established.

This year, however, I have decided to put them under protection by place sticks around them as well as moving a few indoor. Hopefully, I will get to see their flowers soon.