Red-hot poker 'John Benary' Kniphofia 'John Benary'

Water

The Red Hot Poker should be watered deeply approximately once a week during active growth in spring and summer, ensuring that the soil is moist but not waterlogged. During the winter months, watering should be reduced to every two to three weeks, depending on the climate. In general, aim for about 1 inch of water weekly, which typically equals about 0.62 gallons per square foot, spread across your watering sessions. Always check the top few inches of soil before watering to ensure it has dried out, as Red Hot Poker plants do not like consistently wet soil which can lead to root rot.

Light

Red Hot Poker plants thrive best in full sunlight, requiring at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun daily. The ideal spot for this plant is in an area with unfiltered sunlight, away from large trees or structures that could cast shade. While they can tolerate some light shade, especially in hotter regions, their flowering might be reduced, and the plants might not grow as vigorously.

Temperature

Red Hot Poker plants prefer a temperature range between 50 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit but can survive temperatures as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit during dormancy in winter. They grow best in moderate climates and can handle occasional spikes in temperature as long as they are not prolonged. It's important to protect the plant from extreme cold by providing mulch around the base during winter months.

Pruning

Red Hot Poker plants should be pruned to remove spent flower spikes and encourage new blooms. Additionally, cutting back the foliage in early spring before new growth begins can maintain a tidy appearance. Prune the plants after flowering by cutting the flower stalks down to the base, and perform a more thorough cleanup in late winter or early spring. The best time for pruning is when you notice the flower stalks fading and the foliage starting to look tattered.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

The Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia 'John Benary') thrives in well-draining, fertile soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 6.5. A soil mix containing equal parts loam, compost, and sharp sand or perlite is ideal to ensure proper drainage and fertility.

Repotting

Red Hot Pokers are usually not repotted often as they prefer to be left undisturbed. Repotting is generally only necessary if they outgrow their current container, which could be every 3-5 years.

Humidity & Misting

Red Hot Pokers are not particularly humidity-sensitive, but they do best in average humidity conditions typical of outdoor environments, rather than very high or artificially increased indoor humidity levels.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place Red Hot Poker in bright, indirect light indoors.

• Outdoor

  Full sun, well-draining soil, protect from severe winter.

• Hardiness zone

  5-9 USDA

Life cycle

The Kniphofia 'John Benary', commonly known as Red Hot Poker or Torch Lily, begins its life as a seed, which when sown in well-drained soil and provided with adequate warmth and light, will germinate. Upon emergence, the seedling grows into a rosette of narrow, arching leaves, developing its root system and vegetative structures. As the plant matures, typically in its second or third year, it sends up tall flower spikes that bloom from the bottom up, featuring vibrant red to orange tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds and other pollinators. After flowering, seed pods form and mature, which can be harvested or left to self-sow, thereby completing the reproductive stage. In between blooming seasons, Red Hot Pokers enter a maintenance phase of growth where they continue to develop foliage and store energy. They are perennial plants, which means they can survive for several years, undergoing a period of dormancy in colder seasons and regrowing from the same root system with each coming spring.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• Kniphofia 'John Benary', commonly known as Red Hot Poker, is typically propagated through division, a method that is best carried out in the spring. To propagate by division, carefully lift the mature clump from the ground and use a sharp spade or knife to divide the plant into smaller sections, making sure each section has at least one shoot and a portion of the root system. Replant the divisions immediately at the same soil level as they were originally grown, and water them well to establish a strong root system. This method allows the grower to create new plants that are true to the parent plant and can help rejuvenate older clumps that may have become woody or less productive in terms of flowering.