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What are these? My friend came across them. – Diane
Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:
This is a perennial called Kniphofia (commonly known as Red Hot Poker or Torch Lily). It prefers full sun and is hardy to 10 degrees. You can plant the bulbs in the spring and they will bloom in the summer.
Hope this information is helpful. Please let me know if you need any other information.
Ask the Expert: Red Hot Pokers not blooming
My Red Hot Pokers have always bloomed by the end of June, but this year they don’t seemed to want to bloom. The foliage looks healthy and is growing very nicely. I live in Colorado and we’ve had more rain this year than in the past. Any ideas?
Thanks Cassie
Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:
A water issue can cause Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia) to under perform. Lack of water when the bloom is forming is usually the culprit. However, it sounds as if you are getting enough water.
Temperature could be another factor. If your area is below normal temps or the temperatures got too high too soon, the blooming schedule would be thrown out of whack.
Lack of light can also cause insufficient or lack of blooms in Red Hot Poker. If your area has become shadier than it has been in the past, you will need to move your plants.
I’m not sure if Red Hot Poker behaves like iris, but it might. When Iris become buried too deep it will produce lovely foliage, but no blooms. So, you might check the kniphofia and see if the much and leaves have gotten to thick on top of the plant. If it has you need to lift the plant. The crown should never be planted deeper than 3 inches.
This plant blog question was brought to you by the local florists in Santa Clara.
