The amaryllis plant (sometimes called amaralis) can be purchased both in the form of individual bulbs, and already planted in a pot. Gardeners appreciate its flowers for its exotic tubular shape. The height of the peduncles reaches 60 cm, each usually 2-4 buds. Bulbs are planted in the garden or used as indoor plants. They are able to bloom up to 75 years. Amaryllis comes from Peru and South Africa, the name comes from the Greek word amarysso - "shine." Bulbs were brought to Europe in the 1700s. Amaryllis is sometimes confused with the Belladonna lily, which is known to be poisonous.
Today, most of these bulbs are hybrids, but they still belong to the genus Hippeastrum. The size of amaryllis flowers ranges from 10 to 25 cm in diameter. They can be single or terry. The most common colors are red and white. There are buds of pink, salmon, apricot, saturated burgundy. Some varieties are bicolor or with a strip along the edge of the petals. Information on what the Amaryllis family flowers are, photos with the names of the varieties can be found on the websites of firms selling these plants.
How to choose a bulb
Amaryllis bulbs come in a variety of sizes. If you want to buy it for planting in a pot, you should be aware that the size and condition of the rhizome will affect the abundance of flowering. Amaryllis are often sold in bulk, so they can be carefully inspected. It is worth paying special attention to the red spots under the scales. Their presence indicates that the plant is infected with an infectious disease - stagonosporosis or a red burn. Bulbs of Dutch origin most often suffer from it. This is due to improper transportation and violation of storage conditions. Getting rid of the problem will not be easy: you will need regular dressing of the plant in contact fungicides, for example, in the drug "Maxim". But even this does not guarantee getting rid of the infection. Amaryllis flowers in the photo can look very bright, but the picture does not always correspond to the real varietal qualities of the plant.
Bulb sizes increase with age, which affects flowering, but on sale all seedlings are the same. When buying a plant from hand, you should choose the largest one, then there will be more buds. In the store you should choose healthy plants without rot, dry or wet spots, mold. Bulbs must be hard and dry. Preference should be given to those who have bright green leaves, no visible damage. Some plants may have a branch on the base. This is a baby who will grow into a new bulb. It can be separated and planted in a separate pot.
Amaryllis planting
Amaryllis, home care that starts with the right pot choice, will require a narrow tank. Containers can be made of plastic, metal, ceramic or clay. You should choose a pot in the bottom of which there is one or more holes. This will protect the roots from excess moisture and decay. Good drainage will minimize the risk of fungal diseases and root rot. The diameter of the container should be about 3 cm larger than the widest part of the bulb, and twice as high as there is free space for the development of the root system. Approximately half the pot should be filled with sterile fresh soil with a high content of organic substances (for example, peat). Install the bulb in the pot so that the roots are on the soil. Bulbs should rise above the edge of the container. Then you need to add the substrate, ramming it around the plant, 1/3 of the bulb should be visible. It is better to install the pot in the sink, where water can freely flow from it. The next stage is abundant watering of the soil around the flower. After the excess liquid has drained, the pot should be installed on the pallet and put it on the window, where there is a lot of sunlight.
Bulb Care
Amaryllis, home care which consists in regular watering and top dressing, does not need large volumes of moisture. Watering the plant is necessary only when the topsoil is completely dry. Excess moisture must drain into the pan. Do not flood the plant: excessively moist soil can contribute to root rot and attract pests. Amaryllis should be fed every time when watering. Amaryllis flowers, care for which it is important at any time of the year, they prefer mineral fertilizers. For abundant flowering, it is advisable to use a composition for indoor plants with a high phosphorus content. To care for amaryllis at home, you need to choose the right nutrition. Experts recommend studying the instructions on the packaging with the drug - on the tanks with mineral fertilizers there are always three numbers, for example, 10-20-15. They show the percentage of each of the three macroelements important for plant growth in the fertilizer: N (nitrogen) - P (phosphorus) - K (potassium). In this example, the fertilizer contains 10% nitrogen, 20% phosphorus, and 15% potassium.
Care after flowering
Amaryllis family flowers have been growing for many years. How to care for amaryllis after flowering? To save the plants, you need to give them a rest after the phase of active development. Once they have finished blooming, it is worth moving the bulbs away from direct sunlight. No need to remove the flower stalks until they completely turn yellow. Their green stem will continue photosynthesis, which creates energy in the bulb for future growth of leaves and flowers. Caring for amaryllis, whose flowers are dried, consists of pruning the peduncle. This will prevent the formation of seeds. The formation of ovaries will deplete the important energy reserves in the amaryllis and adversely affect the subsequent flowering.
If the plant does not grow the stem for subsequent flowering, it is likely that it has not yet accumulated enough nutrients. After a period of rest, you must place the flower on the lightest window sill in the room. Amaryllis will continue to grow long, smooth leaves. They will contribute to photosynthesis. At the same time, it is important to continue to feed the plant with universal fertilizer for indoor plants, monitor its health, and provide watering. Then it will certainly bloom at the end of the season.
Amaryllis cultivation in open field
When all the danger of return frost has passed, you can begin to prepare amaryllis for planting in open ground. To begin with, it is worth placing it in the shade or in a place where there is no direct sunlight. Plants need to get used to the new climate and conditions. Later, the container can be moved to the greenhouse or to the garden where the flower will be in direct sunlight for at least 6 hours daily. It is not necessary to remove the flower from the pot if there are drainage holes in the container. If there is no suitable capacity, it is better to plant the bulb directly in the ground, leaving 1/3 part above the ground, as when planting in a pot. To create a supply of nutrients for abundant flowering next year will allow monthly fertilizer with compounds for indoor plants. Before the first autumn frosts, it is necessary to bring amaryllis into the room, because it will not survive the cold!
Flowering control
Unlike some other bulbous plants, amaryllis do not need a dormant period. They will bloom again if you just let them grow. However, the flowering time can be adjusted, allowing the bulbs to hibernate for a certain time. During this dormant period, plants practically do not spend their energy reserves. To do this, amaryllis is stored in pots, in a cool, dry and dark place, for example, in a basement or cellar. The temperature in the room should be around + 10 ° C. You need to wait until the leaves become brown and dry, and then cut them. For 8-12 weeks, you need to leave the bulbs in the dark, without watering, while not taking them out of the pot.
Periodically, you can inspect the flowers, checking to see if a fungus or mold has appeared. At the first signs of the disease, it is recommended to remove the bulbs from the soil and treat them with fungicide. If during this time a new growth appears, the bulb needs to be rearranged from a dark place to a sunny window, cut off the dying leaves, water and fertilize as usual. If after 8-12 weeks no signs of new growth have appeared, it is time to remove the onion from the cellar and place it on the sunny windowsill. A sharp change in conditions will cause plants to bloom. Usually one or more flower stems appear before the green, but occasionally they are preceded by leaves. Flowers usually develop around 4-6 weeks.
Amaralis flowers: transplant
Amaryllis blooms best when it is in a container with little extra space. Therefore, the plant needs soil renewal every 3-4 years. If it develops faster, this should be done more often. The best time for transplanting amaralis flowers comes after they have passed the dormant period. When the bulb grows in the same pot for several years, the roots can stick to the inside of the container. Then you have to cut the plant, separating it with a sharp knife. They need to be drawn along the inside of the container.
How to transplant amaryllis flowers? Transplantation begins with pulling the plant from the container. Then you need to slightly shake off the soil from the earthen coma to add more nutrient soil to the new pot. It is important to be careful not to damage the root system. However, it is not advisable to greatly disturb the earthball. For planting, use only sterile soil and a clean container. Amaralis flowers, the transplant of which was correct, are actively growing and developing. If rot spots appear on the bulb, they are cut with a sharp knife, sprinkled with a slice of activated charcoal or cinnamon and dried for several days. It is useful to soak such plants in fungicides. Then - mandatory drying and transplanting into new soil. If children are formed, they also need to be separated during transplantation so that they do not take away the strength of the mother plant. Joints should also be sprinkled with activated carbon.
Pests and diseases
There are several insects, ticks, and diseases that can attack amaryllis in the greenhouse. But in indoor conditions they are not so common. A thorough inspection when buying bulbs, accompanied by proper care, will avoid the attack of most pests, as well as the spread of diseases. Some flying insects, such as the big daffodil fly, Merodon equestris, can lay their eggs in amaryllis bulbs that are outdoors during the summer. The larva of this pest feeds first on the outer scales, and then makes its way into the inner part of the bulb. The leaves of infected plants may begin to fade, turn yellow, and eventually the plant will die.
The disease becomes noticeable during transplantation: amaralis flowers, photos of which some gardeners post on the Internet, can look healthy from the outside. But when pressed, the rotting of the tissues immediately becomes noticeable. The use of insecticides in this case is ineffective. Sometimes it is better to destroy all infected bulbs as soon as it becomes clear that they are infected, otherwise the infection will spread to other plants.
Poorly drained soil or soil that is constantly in the wet state can attract mushroom mosquitoes, which are a type of fruit fly. It is almost impossible to get rid of them by chemical or folk remedies. It is necessary to dry the soil, remove the topsoil, add a new clean soil, and then adjust the irrigation.
Red burn is the most common amaryllis disease.
The red burn mentioned above is a disease that can affect both the appearance and the health of plants. But this infection is not fatal. Red spots or blotches that turn into elongated ulcers with a red border can appear on peduncles, the bulb itself, and on new leaves. The disease is often difficult to diagnose, as superficial small red or pink spots may be absent on the outside of the plant. Due to infection, the leaves can change shape, and flower stalks can easily break, which makes plants not very attractive in appearance.
How to avoid a red burn
It is difficult to get rid of this infection, therefore it is advisable to immediately buy healthy bulbs.
Disease Prevention:
- Before buying, you need to carefully examine 6 amaryllis. Do not buy damaged bulbs.
- Bulb cultivation should be carried out in clean containers with sterile soil.
- All tools used when working with infected plants must be wiped with alcohol.
- It is important for plants to ensure proper care. If the disease persists, the bulbs should be regularly treated with systemic fungicide.
Proper care, attention to the plant and timely pest and disease control are the key to a long and abundant flowering of amaryllis.