ph: 361-935-1556
nancyk
February 14, 2016
By Debbie Hopper - Victoria County Master Gardener
Edited by Charla Borchers Leon
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY DEBBIE HOPPER/VICTORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER
Pink/salmon-colored blooms are of the 'Apple Blossom' variety. This bloom is indicative of its derivation with a star-shaped appearance that seems to almost sparkle and is indoors in a warm, lit area near a window. Theere are several more blooms to follow this one on the two stems.
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY DEBBIE HOPPER/VICTORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER
Indoors on a kitchen counter, this large, red amaryllis displays numerous blooms on each of two stems. It not only is spectacular for Christmas but also for Valentine's Day.
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY DEBBIE HOPPER/VICTORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER
After Amaryllis have bloomed, they can be trimmed back and planted in the ground for years of enjoyment. They naturalize well in a year or so in this area. These naturalized Amaryllis plants are currently in a local landscape and have bloomed each year for about 10 years.
GIVE
• As a bulb to plant in soil and container at Christmas
• Spiking or in bloom for Valentine's Day
• Wrapped for a get-well presentation
For small living areas (apartment/assisted living balcony/porch)
PLANT
• In a pot or container for the season
• To bloom indoors during Christmas, for Valentine's Day
• In the ground after blooming to naturalize over a year's time
• To bloom around Easter after naturalization
COMMON COLORS
• Solid red
• Solid white
• Red with white
• White with red
• Pink/salmon (Apple Blossom)
• White with red border (Picotee)
SIZES
• Heirloom - Small; all red
• Hybrid - Small, large, jumbo; multiple colors
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY DEBBIE HOPPER/VICTORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER
Amaryllis blooms will sometimes be knocked off stems by an object, one's hands, a critter or wind. They can be cut, saved and placed in a vase, like these 'Clown' variety blossoms, and last up to a week or more in water.
A couple of years ago, I bought a boxed amaryllis for myself around Christmastime. It was less than $10 and included the bulb, potting soil and a pot to plant it in. I had never planted one and was excited to see if it was as pretty as the picture on the box. I can tell you, it was even more beautiful. Now, I get about three or four at Christmastime each year.
A love story
Greek mythology tells the story of Amaryllis, a love-struck maiden who was in love with Alteo.
Desperate to win his love, she pierced her heart with a golden arrow. Every day she visited his cottage, shedding drops of blood along the way. On the 30th day, beautiful scarlet flowers bloomed along the path. Alteo was enamored. Amaryllis' heart was healed and our favorite holiday bloom got its name.
They make wonderful gifts - and, in fact, they can be found now at florists and garden centers spiking or in bloom for Valentine's Day, birthdays and for various other heart-warming occasions this time of year.
History
The amaryllis originated from South America's tropical regions. The bulbs are of the genus Hippeastrum, which are native to tropical and subtropical areas of the Americas. Hippeastrum derives from the Greek words for horse and star. Amaryllis means "to sparkle" in Greek.
Interesting facts
Planting
Plant the bulb up to its neck in a moist potting compost. Position the bulb so that the top third will remain above the soil surface. The pointed part of the bulb should be planted face up with the larger base on bottom.
Be sure you don't damage the roots of the bulb. Press the soil down firmly to set the bulb securely in place. The pot will need to have a drainage hole and should be about 1 or 2 inches wider than the diameter of the bulb.
Placement of pot, watering
Place the planted bulb in a warm area with direct light. Water sparingly until the stem appears.
As the bud and leaves appear, gradually water more. Bulbs will flower in 7-10 weeks, sometimes sooner. Be careful not to overwater and cause the bulb to rot. A support stake may be needed to keep the blooms upright.
Plant maintenance
After the amaryllis has stopped flowering, it can be made to bloom again by cutting off the old flowers from the stem. When the stem starts to sag, cut it back to the top of the bulb. Continue to water and fertilize as normal and allow the leaves to develop and grow.
When the leaves start to yellow in the early fall, cut the leaves back about 2 inches from the top of the bulb and remove the bulb from the soil. Clean and store the bulb in a cool, dark place. If stored in the refrigerator, do not store next to apples. The gas from apples will cause the amaryllis to become sterile.
Store the bulbs for a minimum of six weeks. Then, you may replant. Bulbs will need to be replanted eight weeks before you want them to bloom. Some may decide to throw the pot out at the end of the growing season. Others may decide to plant the bulb outside in the landscape.
They naturalize very well and become established in the ground in about a year, blooming around Easter.
Insects, disease
Caterpillars and grasshoppers may eat on amaryllis that are planted outdoors. Aphids, spider mites and mealy bugs are less common.
Occasionally, amaryllis can get red blotch or leaf scorch fungal disease. It occurs on shaded plants that are watered frequently. Red spots appear on the stalks and leaves. The plant may break over at an infected area. The disease is carried on the bulb. It is a difficult disease to control and the use of a fungicide can be necessary.
A long-lasting gift
If you have never planted an amaryllis, I urge you to try. From Christmas to Valentine's Day as a gift, through naturalized blooms around Easter, you won't be disappointed with the irresistible amaryllis.
The Gardeners' Dirt is written by members of the Victoria County Master Gardener Association, an educational outreach of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension - Victoria County. Mail your questions in care of the Advocate, P.O. Box 1518, Victoria, TX 77901; or vcmga@vicad.com.
ph: 361-935-1556
nancyk