Ornithogalum Dubium: Habitat, Propagation & Care Instruction

Ornithogalum Dubium, also known as the Star of Bethlehem, is a bulb that belongs to the Liliaceae family. It is known for its beautiful flowers that bloom in the winter. Star of Bethlehem is an easy-to-grow ornamental plant that needs very little attention to produce lovely flowers and it spikes up to around three feet tall.

They are native to the Middle East and can be found at altitudes of up to 4,500 feet in Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. The star of Bethlehem requires soil with excellent drainage and prefers full sun or partial shade. It does not require much watering if planted in moist soil, but it will need more if it is planted in dryer soil.

How do you care for Ornithogalum Dubium?

This plant will not tolerate temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit; thus, keep it away from freezing or cooler temperatures. They prefer to stay in an area that receives between 10 and 15 hours of direct sunlight a day. The soil should be kept evenly moist, especially when the weather is warm.

If you would like to grow a star of Bethlehem in your garden or container, you can buy one at your local home improvement store to spice up your garden.In addition to being easy to grow, Ornithogalum is a low-maintenance plant. It does not need a lot of fertilizer, as long as it is fed regularly.

It is drought-tolerant, so you don’t have to worry about overwatering it. Ornithogalum needs regular pruning, especially after flowering, to keep it from getting too large. If you want to keep your Ornithogalum free of weeds, be sure to let the top of the soil dry before watering again.

Again, keep plants indoors during freezing or cooler temperature days. It does well in the sun or shade, depending on the location.

Ornithogalum Dubium indoor care

Indoors, you will have to provide your Ornithogalum with more light than it would get outside. This can be done by using a lamp that is similar to sunlight or a grow light. You can also buy an artificial lightbulb that will provide the plant with enough light to grow. You can keep your plant well-watered and fed regularly. Also, water the soil deeply to keep it evenly moist. 

If you are growing Ornithogalum indoors for the first time, you can use a seedling pot or a starter pot. When ready to transplant the bulb, you should use a several times larger pot than the bulb. You can then transplant the bulb into its new pot and also cut back any stems that are growing out of the soil. If you grow Ornithogalum indoors, ensure that you have adequate light also locate the plant it will get direct sunlight.

Ornithogalum Dubium bulbs

You can buy Ornithogalum bulbs and plant them directly in the ground, or you can plant them in pots. It is recommended to buy the plant when it is still small, and the leaves are still green and with no withering. Also, ensure that when buying this plant you choose one that’s at least six inches tall with four or five leaves on the stem. You can plant the bulb at a location where it gets plenty of sunshine. Water it regularly to maintain moisture and also to prevent it from withering and dying.  Ornithogalum grows best in soil with good drainage.

Maintenance: You can use a leaf rake to remove weeds around your plant. Be sure to check your bulbs weekly to remove any weeds that may be growing. You should also make sure that your bulb is getting the proper amount of light and water.

Ornithogalum Dubium flowering time

The flowering time for Ornithogalum Dubium depends on where you live. However, Ornithogalum grows best if it gets a little bit of sunlight and has enough water. If you plant your bulb outside in the ground, you should expect it to flower in the summer. However, If you grow your bulb indoors, you can expect to see flowers in spring and summer depending on where you live.

You can find Ornithogalum flowers in shades of yellow, orange, and sometimes red. The flower heads grow from the top of the stem. Each flower head is made up of many small flowers.

The flowers of Ornithogalum are on long stems that extend out of the leaves. this plant blooms between March and May, and the flowers are usually yellow or orange. The flower heads can last anywhere from three to four weeks.

Ornithogalum Dubium leaf

The leaves of Ornithogalum are large and oval-shaped. The leaves are usually about four to six inches long. The upper surface of the leaves is dark green, and the underside is lighter green.

How do you plant Ornithogalum Dubium?

Without a doubt, the most critical thing when planting any bulb is that you do it correctly. Bulbs should be planted when they have the proper temperature and moisture levels. It is very easy to damage your bulbs if you plant them in the ground too early or in an unbalanced state.

Bulbs should also have proper light to grow properly. If you do not have enough light, the bulb may grow in the wrong direction. You can also damage your bulb if you plant it in the wrong soil. Buy Ornithogalum bulbs from reputable sellers.

Plant your Ornithogalum Dubium in the spring. If you plant the bulb in the spring, you will get the best results. You should make sure that the bulb has enough light so that it can grow properly. You should water the soil deeply to help the bulb root properly.

Ornithogalum Dubium Watering Requiements

It would be best if you watered your Ornithogalum Dubium weekly to ensure that the roots remain healthy and strong. The soil should be moist but not soggy. The bulb should not be allowed to sit in wet soil or on a dry surface for more than three or four days. 

Fertilizing:

If you want your Ornithogalum to grow faster, you can fertilize your bulb with a slow-release fertilizer such as 10-10-10 or 15-15-15. If you do not have access to a garden center, you can purchase an all-purpose fertilizer at any home improvement store. Do not apply fertilizer after your bulb has been planted. Instead, apply the fertilizer in the fall or early spring. 

Cultivation & Propagation:

You can plant by using either seed or bulb. Plant bulb only when the soil temperature is between 50 and 70 degrees. Plant your bulb at a depth of one-half inch and ensure that your soil has enough nutrients for the bulbs to grow. It would be best if you planted the bulbs two or three inches apart. If you plant them too close together, you will not get a good growth of Ornithogalum. If you plant the bulbs too far apart, you will not get a good bloom of the flower.

Sowing & Germination:

It would be best to keep your bulbs in a warm location and use a seed tray to help you plant your bulbs. The seeds should germinate in approximately three weeks. Plant the bulbs in a sunny location and avoid shady areas. Be sure to water your Ornithogalum regularly and give it plenty of light. If you do not provide enough light, you may have a difficult time growing your bulbs. 

Soil & Transplanting

Locate your plant in well-drained soil. It would be best if you planted your bulbs about four inches deep. You should plant them in full sun if they are to grow properly. 

Light & Temperature

It would be best to plant your bulbs in an area where they will get direct sunlight for at least six hours. If your bulb does not get enough light, it will not bloom well. If you plant them too close to a window, you will not get enough light for the bulbs to grow correctly. If you plant them too far from a window, they will not receive enough sunlight. Plant your bulb in a warm area and a location with high humidity.

Ornithogalum Dubium Harvesting

When your bulbs are ready to bloom, remove them from your soil. You should keep them away from direct sunlight until they have completely dried out. Once your bulb is dry, you should gently prune it. You can cut your bulb back to a bud if you want to create more flowers.

It would be best if you kept your bulb out of the cold and away from direct sunlight. You should bring your bulb inside when the temperature drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Harvesting & Storing:

It would be best if you harvested your Ornithogalum Dubium bulbs when they start to turn brown. Remove the bulbs from their pots and cut them at the base, and then plant them in the ground right away or dry and store them away.

Keep your bulbs in a cool location. You can protect them by placing them in a plastic bag and keeping the bulbs out of direct sunlight to help them grow properly.

Ornithogalum Dubium Bulbs Gardening Tips:

• Plant your Ornithogalum Dubium bulbs about four inches deep.
• They should be placed about two inches deep and about eight to ten inches apart.
• Water your bulbs regularly to help them grow properly. 
•  Plant your bulb in soil that is well-drained.
• Plant them about four inches deep in full sun.
• Your Ornithogalum Dubium will grow in temperatures that range from 50 degrees Fahrenheit to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

Common Pests & Diseases

Many pests may affect your Ornithogalum Dubium. These include the Japanese Beetle, Garden Spider, Garden Slug, and Cutworm. Also, you can get Ornithogalum Dubium bulbs damaged by rodents. You should check your bulbs frequently to see if there are any pests or diseases. You can treat your bulbs with a pesticide. You can also spray your bulbs with a soapy water solution if you suspect that you have a pest. 

Conclusion

Ornithogalum Dubium is an excellent bulb that you can grow in your garden. It has an attractive appearance that is different from other bulbs. You may plant it in different locations throughout your yard. You can grow this bulb in areas where you want to add color to your garden.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ’S)

Is Ornithogalum Dubium easy to grow?

Growing Ornithogalum is not difficult, but it will take some time for the plant to grow to full size. If you have a small space to grow your plants, you can start with a starter pot or a seedling pot. It’s important to first prepare your soil and then plant your seeds. Also, make sure you plant your seeds in an area that receives a reasonable amount of light. You can also put a few rocks around the pot to provide the seeds with some extra light.

Is Ornithogalum Dubium poisonous?

On this occasion, we are going to answer that question with a yes and a no. Ornithogalum is not toxic, and there is no risk of poisoning from ingestion. However, if you ingest its flowers, you may experience upset stomachs. 

Is Ornithogalum Dubium a perennial?

No matter what kind of care you provide, the star of Bethlehem is not a perennial plant. It will only bloom once a year so it’s an annual plant. 

How do you plant Ornithogalum Dubium?

On this occasion, we will give you the steps to take when planting this plant. You can start by digging a hole that is at least two times the size of the bulb. You can use a trowel or a shovel to dig the hole. Make sure that the hole is level. You should also add some plant food to the soil around the plant.

After planting the bulb, water the plant so it remains evenly moist. You can water your plant regularly. You can locate your plant directly into the ground or in a pot. It will need good light to grow and will do best in soil with good drainage. It would be best to wait until your soil warms up before planting. 

In case you want to grow Ornithogalum in pots, you will have to prepare the container first. Make sure that there are no cracks or air pockets in the container. Also, use a pot that is at least three times the size of the bulb.

Is Ornithogalum Dubium invasive?

Ornithogalum is not invasive. However, it can spread quickly in a garden or in containers. If you want to prevent this, you can either plant it in a large pot or in a location that is out of the way.