Amaryllis (Hippeastrum)
I haven’t grown amaryllis before but was inspired to try by Marlene at ‘Poppy Patchwork’ and Kirsten from ‘A Letter from Home,’ both of whom are recording the progress of their amaryllis plants. Before Christmas, I looked at various bulbs.
I considered a waxed amaryllis. This is a fuss-free form of bulb that requires nothing more than light. It is enclosed in a covering of wax and should produce flowers within six weeks. After flowering, the wax can be peeled off and the bulb composted or planted in soil in the hope of flowering the following year.
I had read that amaryllis can be difficult to encourage into flower in subsequent years and wondered if a previously wax-coated bulb might prove to be even more difficult. I decided against it and ordered a conventional ‘Royal Red’ bulb, already planted in a pot.
Then I decided to try a different colour amaryllis and sent off for a red and white striped ‘Dancing Queen’ bulb. To my surprise, two bulbs arrived a couple of days ago.
They have now been planted. One will remain in the conservatory, where it will get oodles of light, and the other will join ‘Royal Red’ next to the patio door in the sitting room, where the light, though good, is less abundant. It will be interesting to see if they respond differently. It can be six to eight weeks before they flower.
I like Amaryllis, but have never planted any, there are several places in Adelaide where I can walk past and see them in the garden and that's enough for me.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! May neighbor is growing one too. I love the colors.
ReplyDeleteIt is these little experiments that cheer a dreary stretch of winter. I have a bag of 50 bulbs outside in the snow. I will bring them in and plant them in six weeks. I am hoping to get an early spring...indoors anyway.
ReplyDeleteI have been tempted this year to get one too! I resisted, but now I am wishing I had got one.
ReplyDeleteAmaryllis are amazing. You can almost watch them growing, incredible speed till the flower just explodes open. I like the white ones I've had. Very easy care.
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed that you know these terms about plants. When I want flowers I go to the garden center and grab whatever I think I might not kill immediately. It's been warm in Florida (70s and then 80s on Friday and Saturday) that some of my flowers were coming up, but the temperature dropped last night. The plants won't know what to do now.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Mt mum was a great one with the amaryllis. Hers would always have huge flowers and always more than the usual 2 or 3. I'm sure she must have had some secret feed for it.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have more success with amaryllis than I did.
ReplyDeleteI love to watch the flowers develop and open. I haven't had one in years. I hope you enjoy yours to the fullest!
ReplyDeleteMy walking friend gave me one of the wax ones. I was glad I was unable to kill it and was delighted when it flowered!
ReplyDeleteI tried growing them once but wasn't successful. They are lovely tho'.
ReplyDeleteI've grown amaryllis in the past though not in this past year. They are beautiful plants, their blooms coming in such cheery colors. Maybe it's time to get another one. Or two...
ReplyDeleteI love amaryllis, although their finicky reputation has kept me from trying to grow one.
ReplyDeleteI miss flowers, period. But the days do seem to be getting longer. :)
ReplyDeleteThere's something to look forward to in a few weeks. I used to call them Hippeastrum and I didn't know amaryllis was the same flowering bulb.
ReplyDeleteThey are such a joy. I've never managed to keep them for a second year so now I don't try.
ReplyDeleteHi Janice - Pretty in Pink - delightful ... lovely to see - you'll enjoy and I have over the years enjoyed a few - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteWhen I still lived at home with my parents, I had amaryllis every winter, but not since. I really like their beautiful flowers, and the striped variety was always my favourite. Funny that I never think of getting one for myself anymore.
ReplyDeleteYou will be hooked, try turning them every few days so the stalk stays reasonably straight, when the flower fade cut the flower stalk off but leave the leaves to die back. No I have never had a bulb flower a second year.
ReplyDeleteI was given a waxed bulb for Christmas by my son. It was about 4/5 inches then, and now about 15 inches. I swear you can see it growing! (I think it grew an inch overnight!!)
ReplyDeleteNever had one before and can't wait until it flowers....no idea what colour it might be. I have looked up what to do with it after flowering and will attempt to give it another chance .
I am looking forward to seeing photos of the blooms.
ReplyDeleteAmaryllis is gorgeous. I have one in a big pot which has big red flowers every year. I do nothing but water it and now again add a bit of soil to the pot.
ReplyDeleteat first I thought, SIX WEEKS? then I realized here we are mid January and day before yesterday was Thanksgiving which is about 6 weeks. Can't wait to see both of these and if where they are matters.
ReplyDeleteI have never tried to grow one. I hope yours do well. The stiped is very pretty
ReplyDeleteMy husbands grandmother always had them in her sitting room...At least 8 or 9 always. I've never grown them but I do think they are beautiful. This one you have is very different in color. Hope you will keep us updated on how they do in the different settings.
ReplyDeleteThey are amazingly beautiful. Had luck getting them to bloom, but I've never been able to have them bloom again the next year.
ReplyDeleteI've never grown amaryllis, but I always think they look lovely.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with yours ... please keep us posted.
All the best Jan
We grew red amaryllis for several years (six or seven?) and the flowers came up faithfully every spring. They eventually got a fungus, though, and we had to throw them out.
ReplyDeleteI've never bought them just as bulbs, only already planted in a pot with at least a few leaves sticking up. And I've never tried to keep a bulb to replant next autumn either, as I have no good space for such experiments.
ReplyDeleteThat's a beautiful flower !
ReplyDeleteI have never grown them either Janice but this post has encouraged me to try. I will research to see when they flower here in New Zealand & where to buy bulbs from.
ReplyDeleteEvery year I think I'll buy a plant/bulb and give it a go; but never have. Hope things work out for you and look forward to seeing your pictures as time progresses. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty flower.
ReplyDeleteMy mother used to have amaryllis. So pretty. Looking forward to seeing yours bloom
ReplyDeleteThank you, everyone. I'll try not to bore you with endless amaryllis photographs!
ReplyDeleteWe had one as a bouquet from my sister-in-law and the blooms lasted more than a couple of weeks. I'd like to grow one from a bulb. I hope yours does well, it looks healthy.
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful to see the beautiful Amaryllis flower finally unfurl. Hopefully, yours is in full bloom now. My bulb was small this year but I am still hoping for a flower or two.
ReplyDelete