Amaryllis

The genus Amaryllis consists of a single species, Amaryllis belladonna. This bulbous plant originated from South Africa. It is characterized by moderate hardiness, in contrast to the Hippeastrum (Hippeastrum sp.) belonging to the same family, with which Amaryllis is often confused, even in flower shops and gardening centers. Amaryllis belladonna (A. belladonna) has a strong leafless peduncle with an umbrella inflorescence, consisting of 2-6 large, fragrant funnel-shaped flowers, similar to Lily flowers and colored in colors from white to pink and red with various transitions. Flower arrows appear earlier than linear long leaves. Two-color varieties are also grown, for example 'pink magnificent' with pink flowers in a white stripe, late variety 'Kewensis' with dark pink flowers with a yellow tint, 'Hathor' with white flowers with a yellow yawn, 'Durban' with Carmine-red flowers with a white yawn, 'Parker' with dark pink flowers with a yellow yawn. Of the varieties with early flowering, we can mention 'high'.

The genus Amaryllis consists of a single species, Amaryllis belladonna. This bulbous plant originated from South Africa. It is characterized by moderate hardiness, in contrast to the Hippeastrum (Hippeastrum sp.) belonging to the same family, with which Amaryllis is often confused, even in flower shops and gardening centers.

Amaryllis belladonna (A. belladonna) has a strong leafless peduncle with an umbrella inflorescence, consisting of 2-6 large, fragrant funnel-shaped flowers, similar to Lily flowers and colored in colors from white to pink and red with various transitions. Flower arrows appear earlier than linear long leaves. Two-color varieties are also grown, for example 'pink magnificent' with pink flowers in a white stripe, late variety 'Kewensis' with dark pink flowers with a yellow tint, 'Hathor' with white flowers with a yellow yawn, 'Durban' with Carmine-red flowers with a white yawn, 'Parker' with dark pink flowers with a yellow yawn. Of the varieties with early flowering, we can mention 'high'.

Cultivation

Varieties and hybrids of Amaryllis belladonna are grown both outside the house, in the open ground, and indoors. Many are able to bloom in a flower bed for many years. As a houseplant, they are rarely grown, unlike hippeastrums, which are cultivated only at home. Amaryllis can also be grown for cutting, artificially extending the dormant period of the bulb to get a later flowering (bulbs are kept in a cold place, and starting in September they are planted in a greenhouse or, if the climate allows, in the open ground).

Location

Amaryllis belladonna prefers a brightly lit place.

Temperature

These bulbous plants have no special requirements for temperature conditions. The optimal temperature is approximately 25 °C. In winter, especially in the North, it is recommended to cover the bulbs (they remain in the ground even for years) by mulching the soil over them with straw, peat or other suitable material.

Watering

In the hottest months, Amaryllis trees should be watered abundantly.

Care

It is enough to remove dried or damaged leaves.

Reproduction

Amaryllis can be propagated by seed, but in this case, it will not bloom soon (perhaps in as many as 8 years). The most common method of reproduction is by bulbs and babies formed next to the mother bulb. They are separated during the dormant period and necessarily after the aboveground part of the plant has completely dried up. Plants from daughter bulbs bloom in 3-4 years. Bulbs are planted in the open ground in June-July, as soon as the dormant period ends, to a depth of 20-30 cm, leaving a distance between the bulbs of about 30 cm. The soil should be light, nutritious, and well-drained. It is very useful to add Heather land.

Amaryllis can be propagated by seed, but in this case, it will not bloom soon (perhaps in as many as 8 years).

The most common method of reproduction is by bulbs and babies formed next to the mother bulb.

They are separated during the dormant period and necessarily after the aboveground part of the plant has completely dried up. Plants from daughter bulbs bloom in 3-4 years.

Bulbs are planted in the open ground in June-July, as soon as the dormant period ends, to a depth of 20-30 cm, leaving a distance between the bulbs of about 30 cm. The soil should be light, nutritious, and well-drained. It is very useful to add Heather land.

Diseases

Gray rot, or botridiosis, caused by Botrytis cinerea, is characterized by the appearance of necrotic spots and a gray velvety coating on the leaves. Of course, you can get rid of it with the help of fungicides, but it is easier to destroy the infected copy, as with rotting bulbs. Aphids and thrips provoke deformation and yellowing of the plant. Affected crops are treated with appropriate insecticides. Mites cause the appearance of specks-spots of red and yellowish color - in this case, they are treated with acaricides, in addition, maintaining high humidity around the plant will help to fight them.

Gray rot, or botridiosis, caused by Botrytis cinerea, is characterized by the appearance of necrotic spots and a gray velvety coating on the leaves. Of course, you can get rid of it with the help of fungicides, but it is easier to destroy the infected copy, as with rotting bulbs.

Aphids and thrips provoke deformation and yellowing of the plant. Affected crops are treated with appropriate insecticides. Mites cause the appearance of specks-spots of red and yellowish color - in this case, they are treated with acaricides, in addition, maintaining high humidity around the plant will help to fight them.

Acquisition

Amaryllis bulbs are not easy to find. They can only be purchased in gardening centers that offer the widest range, and in specialized firms (including by mail). Choose healthy bulbs of large size.