There are many unpretentious flowering plants that can be grown at home, and a special place among them is amaryllis. This attractive flower looks very impressive. And, looking at the photo of the bouquet with red amaryllis, I want to grow such beauty myself. This is not so difficult to do, the main thing is to adhere to the rules for growing a flower, which you will learn about from this material of ours.
Description
Amaryllis is a bulbous perennial that came to us from South Africa. Its dark green tapeworm leaves reach up to 70 cm in length. But special buds are given to the plant by large buds located on a long peduncle, and up to 6 flowers can form on each of them. They reach up to 12 cm in diameter and have six petals with pointed tips. As a rule, a plant pleases with buds once a year - in September. But if you wish, you can achieve flowering two, or even three times a year.
There are varieties with different colors of buds. But amaryllis with red flowers is especially popular. A homemade flower with bright petals attracts attention and becomes the decoration of a collection of plants. And if you want to grow such beauty, then choose these varieties:
- Red lion.
- Barbados
- Ferrari
- Grand Diva.
- Double Dragon.
Preparation for landing
So that red amaryllis does not disappoint you, it is first of all important to acquire healthy onions. They should be dry and dense, without a border and any stains. Also note that healthy bulbs should be quite heavy and firm. Also, do not purchase material that emits an unpleasant sweet smell.
You can grow these flowers in pots, flowerpots and even containers. But at the same time, it is desirable to choose heavy clay flowerpots that are not covered with enamel. As for the soil, it can be purchased at the store or made independently. In the latter case, mix the following components in equal parts:
- garden land;
- soddy soil;
- peat;
- humus;
- river sand.
Before planting, be sure to sanitize the substrate, even if you bought it in a store. To do this, hold the earthen mixture over steam or calcine in the oven. In addition, to grow red amaryllis, you will need drainage, such as expanded clay, gravel or pebbles, as well as washed river sand.
Landing rules
Planting amaryllis is a simple process that a beginner grower will cope with. The main thing is to adhere to the following algorithm:
- Clean the selected onion from black, brown and beige scales so that it turns white or light green. Put the prepared planting material in a solution of potassium permanganate for half an hour. Dry the disinfected bulbs for 12 hours. If you notice any damage, then treat them with brilliant green or Fitosporin.
- Pour a 2-centimeter layer of drainage onto the bottom of the pot. Sprinkle sand on top of it.
- Put the bulb in the pot with the blunt end down. Fill the voids with soil so that a third of the bulb rises above the substrate.
- Lightly compact the soil and water it.
Keep planted bulbs on a light windowsill. Until the plant takes root, water it very gently. At the same time, make sure that moisture does not get on top of the bulb.
Care Features
Red amaryllis is an unpretentious plant. And care for it consists of the usual agricultural measures: regular watering, periodic top dressing, transplantation, and the prevention of diseases and pests. In addition, it is important to provide the plant with a comfortable temperature, humidity and lighting, and then it can please the buds twice a year.
Remember that amaryllis bulbs are poisonous. Therefore, it is advisable to keep the flower in places not accessible to children and pets. In addition, you need to take care of the plant exclusively in rubber gloves.
Lighting
Red amaryllis, a photo of which is given in the material, is a photophilous plant. But for a long time to keep it in direct sunlight is not recommended. Therefore, it is better to grow a flower on the eastern or western windowsill. In extreme cases, you can put a pot near the south window. But then do not forget to shade the plant in the afternoon, otherwise the leaves will get burned.
Amaryllis buds begin to tilt over time. To avoid this, periodically turn the pot in different directions towards the sun.
Temperature
When growing an amaryllis flower at home, try to maintain the indoor temperature within + 18 + 25 ° C. After flowering during the dormant period, transfer the plant to a dark, dry place with cooler conditions. But make sure that the temperature does not fall below +10 ° C. Otherwise, the amaryllis will freeze and die.
Watering
When growing amaryllis at home, pay special attention to watering the flower. While the plant is only developing from the bulb, water it sparingly, but do not allow the earthen coma to dry out. When the flower stalk grows to a height of 10 cm, switch to a more frequent and plentiful irrigation (approximately once every three days). During watering, make sure that moisture does not get on the bulb, for this try to pour water along the edges of the pot.
In winter, reduce watering to a minimum. At this time, it is enough to spray the soil near the bulb once a week.
Top dressing
Terry red amaryllis, however, like ordinary ones, need periodic top dressing, because peduncles draw a lot of power from plants. Therefore, as soon as the budding begins, apply fertilizer every 14 days. During flowering, feed amaryllis even more often, approximately once every 5-7 days.
Use fertilizers with a high content of potassium and phosphorus as fertilizers. Make sure that such fertilizing contains a minimum of nitrogen, because because of this substance, the flower will build up green mass to the detriment of the buds. You can also use organic fertilizers, such as a solution of litter or manure. During dormancy, the plant does not need fertilizing.
Care after flowering
Of course, you can make amaryllis bloom all year round. But such a regime will quickly deplete the strength of the plant, and it will die in a short time. So it is important to arrange a rest period in winter for the flower every year. To do this, begin to gradually reduce the amount of watering and top dressing after the buds have departed. In no case do not cut leaves and peduncles, because of them the bulb will receive additional nutrients. At rest, transfer the pot to a dark and cool place.
Transfer
With proper care, red amaryllis grows rapidly, and it becomes crowded in an old pot. Therefore, experts recommend replanting the flower every 2-3 years. First of all, for the plant you need to choose the right pot. Note that too large containers of amaryllis are not suitable, since in this case it builds up roots to the detriment of the buds. So pick with a diameter of 2-3 cm larger than the size of the bulb itself. Give preference to narrow but deep flowerpots.
Start the event in July. Prepare the soil with the same composition as when planting (for more information about the substrate, see the chapter "Preparing for planting"). During the event, take extreme care not to damage the delicate roots and young leaves of the flower.
Seed cultivation
If you decide to grow a flower from seeds, then keep in mind that it is unlikely to retain varietal characteristics. Moreover, such a plant will bloom only in the seventh year after planting.
To grow flowers, prepare a container and fill it with a substrate intended for seedlings. Moisten the soil and evenly distribute the seeds on its surface. Cover the crops with glass or polyethylene and put in a greenhouse in a bright and warm place where direct sunlight does not fall. Ventilate the landing periodically and spray the soil with warm water from the spray gun. The first seedlings will appear in 30 days, and after three months the seedlings can be transplanted into individual pots.
Reproduction by children
This is the easiest and most popular way that even a beginner grower will cope with it. During a planned transplant, you may find children on the mother’s bulb. Carefully separate them with a sharp knife, plant them in individual pots in the same way as adult plants. And then provide them with normal care. Such amaryllises will bloom in the second year after planting.
Diseases and Pests
Mistakes in care greatly reduce the immunity of the plant. And then it can get sick and even die. Most often, the plant is affected by various rot. Such diseases can be recognized by the appearance of gray, brown and reddish spots and stripes. As a rule, planting in contaminated soil or excessive watering leads to diseases. To cure the flower, reduce irrigation and treat the soil and the plant with fungicide.
Of the pests, amaryllis often attack aphids and thrips. If you notice that the leaves of the flower began to turn yellow and deform, then carefully inspect the plant. And, having found pests, remove them with soapy water. Amaryllis is rarely affected by scale insects, spider mites and mealybugs. You can see these parasites with the naked eye. At the first sign of damage, treat the plant with any insecticide, such as Actellic. After spraying, it is advisable not to water the flower for a while.
Growing problems
If you ensure proper care of the amaryllis flower at home, then there are practically no problems with the pet. But if you regularly violate agricultural technology, the plant begins to act up. Most often, flower growers encounter such problems:
- The color of the buds turned pale. This happens if you grow a flower in a too sunny place. Take the plant away from direct rays, and it will restore color.
- The buds have darkened. This phenomenon occurs when grown in too cold conditions. Move the flower to a warm room.
- The leaves turned pale and the buds drooped. So the plant responds to a lack of water. Normalize watering, and amaryllis will restore beauty.
- The plant does not release buds. First of all, flower stalks do not appear if you do not arrange an amaryllis dormancy period. And besides, the buds may not appear when grown in depleted soil, too dark or cold place. And also the plant refuses to bloom if its bulb has been damaged by pests or diseases.
Delicate and vibrant amaryllis will decorate your collection of home plants. To do this, it is enough to create comfortable conditions for him and adhere to the rules of cultivation. And then the plant will delight you with its buds for many years.