Comments on: Amaryllis

By: Laura

Laura — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:52:33 +0000

Amaryllis flower bloom time
How long does an Amaryllis bloom last indoors?
(I.e., if I am trying to time its blooming for the holidays, should I err on the earlier side of the range of time within which it can be expected to bloom, because the blooms will last awhile, or is it important to get very close to the time you want the flowers to be open, because they only last, say, a few days?)
Laura

Hi Laura
Successive blooms can last up to 2 weeks. Not all buds open at the same time. Duration depends on temperature and how much light the plant is exposed to. Once the buds are open keep the plant in a cool room (55-65F) and away from direct sun. Each bloom can last up to 5 days. To further prolong blooming, remove the yellow anthers (pollen) when the buds begins to open. Remove or cut off each flower when it starts to wilt.

By: landscaping trees

landscaping trees — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 08:20:46 +0000

There are many perennials that can add to the beauty of any place in a few months, if due care and attention is paid while choosing and growing them.

By: Glenn

Glenn — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:15:39 +0000

What is the name of the amaryllis at the top of this site? Thanks

HI Glenn
I’m not sure what the name was. It’s probably “Clown” or “United Nation”. After a few years, the red markings are starting to fade .

By: Elena

Elena — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:34:55 +0000

Hi! I bought the amaryllis bulb a year ago, put it in the pot and it started to grow well, but it didn’t give any flowers. for the whole year it was growing only leaves. I tried to water it less and to let it go dormant but it didn’t work. My husband told me to cut all the leaves off which i did (and i think it was the wrong thing to do), and now i have noticed the tops of the cut leaves started to rot. Can you give me any advice on what to do now? and is there any hope the bulb will survive at all?
Thanks for your help.

Hi Elena
Sometimes you have to force them to dormancy. Stop watering completely so that everything dries out. Then store your bulb in a cool, dark spot for 8-10 weeks.

By: barb

barb — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 07:03:18 +0000

love the info im finding here. have question on hippeastrum. i have many different kinds, i even had them grouped together in the same pots. some of them the leaves died on their own and some i cut while still green (im new to these flowers and learning what NOT to do) i repotted the most of them into seperate pots, 3 of them woke up right away but im left with about 8 of them that are doing nothing. the bulb is firm and the neck of the bulb is green. will they wake on their own? am i just being impatient?

Hi Barb
Be patient.. The bulbs need a resting period about 8-10 weeks and will eventually start to grow on their own. See above article on Reblooming amaryllis. I’m just putting my bulb to “bed” for a resting period and will bring out the pot in Nov/Dec for winter bloom.

By: Glenn

Glenn — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 13:47:49 +0000

Mealy bugs
Last winter I had trouble with mealy bugs on my amaryllis is my heated hobby greenhouse. I left about 100 amaryllis (mid size bullets, about 40 different named amaryllis) in the greenhouse all summer long watering them occasionally. I know sometimes during the day the temperature got over 100 degrees and I still have mealy bugs on over half of the amaryllis. I cut the leaves down to just an inch long and sprayed with alcohol/water several times and still I have mealy bugs. Any suggestions on how to get rid of them.

Hi Glenn
See the comment at http://hortchat.com/info/mealy-bugs#comments to Pam 8/26/06 for alternative suggestions.

By: Janet

Janet — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 03:06:11 +0000

I live in NC Zone 7 and I have had my potted amaryllis outside all summer. Usually I take the bulbs out of the pots, clean all the soil off them and let them dry and then chill them for 8 weeks in the refrigerator. This year I want to try just bring the pots inside and letting the amaryllis go dormant in the pots for 8 weeks. What type product should I spray the container soil and bulbs with to get rid of any insects that might be in the soil or on the bulbs (slugs, aphids, gnats…)? Thanks

Hi Janet
You can use a soil drench made with insecticidal soap to kill off any insects. Follow label directions for chemical use. Or try to flush insects out by soaking the soil with water

By: Mary Macomber

Mary Macomber — Sun, 17 May 2009 17:38:25 +0000

Divide amaryllis
HI!
I live in South Florida, zone 10, and have been growing amaryllis in the ground for years–I adore them!!! I noticed that my plants look to have seed pods developing this year–I read the piece above which referred to “the water germination method”. Can you explain how I would do that, please?

Also my bulbs are getting awfully crowded and in need of being pulled up and separated–what is the best time to do that here in the south? They are still blooming now in mid-May–unbelievable–I’ve had blooms for the last three months by the dozens–prolific!!! And all colors and mixes! I just love them! And when I do dig them up, can I just go ahead and replant right away?
Your help will be greatly appreciated!
Thanks much!
Mary in South Florida (Amaryllis has my name in it!)

Hi Mary
For the water germination method http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippeastrum
To dig up and divide your amaryllis wait until the fall when the leaves start to yellow and die back and then replant them right away. Cut/break offsets that are at least 1/4 to 1/3 the size of the mother bulb.

By: julie

julie — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 14:32:41 +0000

CHIPPING AMARYLLIS There was some information in the garden section of our newspaper regarding dividing amaryllis bulbs. Newspaper has long been disposed. Do I cut them thru the center? if so when and how do you suggest I do so

Hi Julie You can remove the offsets (small bulbs) from the parent bulb. I think you are referring to a method called chipping; this is done when the bulb is dormant. Clean the bulb and remove the papery outer skin. With a sharp clean knife trim back the roots being careful not to cut into the basal plate and cut back the growing tip. With the basal plate upright, cut the bulb into 8-16 sections (chips) making sure each chip has a part of the basal plate attached. Soak the chips in fungicide solution for 15 min. and then drain and dry for 12 hrs. Place in a plastic bag or container filled with moistened vermiculite, inflate bag and seal. Store at 68F (20C) for 12 weeks. Bulblets should form from the base plate between the scales. The chips can then be potted (basal plate down) into individual pots with the bulblet covered with 1/2" of soil and chips exposed. They will eventually die off. Grow in protected area. Plants should flower in 3 years. Source: Plant Progagation, Alan Toogood

By: Renee

Renee — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 04:50:53 +0000

I live in NE Florida. I dug up my most of my amaryllis this past summer as the backyard garden became too shaded by tree growth for them to bloom well. Stored them in my garage and had planned to replant in front yard where there is plenty of sun, but haven’t had time to replant them yet. Is it too late to plant now for spring blooms? Simply love these plants – have grown for years now and use as cuttings in the house as well.

I don’t think its too late to plant them. Get them in the ground.