The amaryllis (which official name is Hippeastrum) originally comes from South America and is available in a lot of different colours and sorts. The bulbs are easy to grow and are available almost all year round, both the bulbs and cut flowers. In order to obtain an optimal result a number of factors are of […]
The amaryllis (which official name is Hippeastrum) originally comes from South America and is available in a lot of different colours and sorts. The bulbs are easy to grow and are available almost all year round, both the bulbs and cut flowers. In order to obtain an optimal result a number of factors are of significant importance.
The bigger the bulb, the more flowers. Choose bulbs, which feel solid and have got good roots. In case the bulbs cannot be planted directly, keep them on a cool place (approximately 9°C).
A bulb that is planted in the spring will grow faster than a bulb that is planted in the autumn or in the winter. It is important that the bulb has had its “finishing touch”. This is to say that the bulb has undergone a so-called “cold period” for approximately 8 – 10 weeks at a temperature no higher than 13°.
Because most of the Dutch cultivated amaryllis bulbs are dug up in the period from August until October, these bulbs that are being sold in the spring have already undergone this cold period. After planting the bulb it can take 6 till 10 weeks before it goes blooming.
Put the bulbs some hours in warm water, before you plant them. Take a wide pot and some nourishing ground, which is available ready-made. Plant the bulbs until 2/3 in the earth and press it firmly, so that the bulb is stuck.
Put the pot with the bulb on a light and warm place, because the plant needs warmth to develop its stems. A temperature of 20°C is perfect. In the beginning you should not give the plant too much water. When the stem and possibly the leaf become visible, you can gradually give the plant some more water. The stem will grow quickly and when it is grown the flowers will unfold.
With some good care it is possible to bloom the amaryllis again during the next year. To make this possible you should cut off the old flower stem after the blooming process and let the leaves develop themselves further. Put the pot with the bulb on a light and warm place, water it regularly and add some houseplant nutrition to the water. After 8 months you should stop watering. The bulb now needs to get some rest on a cold and dark place. After 2 or 3 months the old leaves, earth and dried roots must be removed and the bulb needs to be planted again in new, fresh earth. It is worth it to try this once, but you will discover that new bulbs give a better result. This is logical, since the growers have worked three long years to be able to deliver a mature, high quality product.
