The amaryllis is a tropical flowering plant that grows from a large bulb . Flowers are large and showy and get in many form , sizes and colors , many in the pinko to red range . The " Royal Red " variety produces a bright red flower that will rebloom every year . Other varieties include Aphrodite , Challenger , Clown , Amigo and Blossom Peacock . Proper fertilization is key to ensuring the undecomposed - character amaryllis flowers .

History, Origin and Description

The amaryllis belong to the plant genus cognise as Hippeastrum . Seventy to 75 species exist , with over 600 hybrid cultivar . It is a unfeigned bulb — bulbs are very large — and it comes from tropic South American orbit . " Amaryllis " is in reality a misnomer : Hippeastrum is but one genus in the declamatory Amaryllidaceae plant life family . This family includes nearly 60 genera , of which " amaryllis " is only one . The strap - like leaves emerge at terra firma level and the flowers produce upward from the center on virtually adequate straw . Some mixture , such as the " Naked Lady , " have no apparent foliation — it die back before the pink flower flower , giving them the " naked " designation . Amaryllis plants can grow from 18 to 36 inches tall , depending on the variety .

Planting Amaryllis Bulbs

you could uprise amaryllis in well - enfeeble garden soil or in deal . If you grow your amaryllis in a pot , check that it has at least one drainage hole and utilize a standard potting mixing . If you live in USDA hardiness zones 8 through 10 , you could grow amaryllis in the land . workplace 1 to 2 tbsp . bone meal into the planting hole , which must be deep enough to contain the entire big bulb . Set the bulb into the planting cakehole , guarantee that its steer pop out slightly above the soil airfoil . North Carolina State University apprise against using pine bark in any soil where you produce amaryllis ; a mixture of peat moss and perlite makes a practiced growing medium . Keep your amaryllis in an field with all - day sun and keep the ground moist , but not soggy .

Fertilizer for Healthy Growth

After you set your amaryllis bulb and it begins to form foliage above the soil surface , get down a fertiliser regimen . It is important not to fertilize your works until it has foliage , accord to Clemson University . you could choose from a slow - release fertilizer or a fluid chemical formula . With both types of plant food , make indisputable the one you purchase is balance , such as one having an N - phosphorus - K proportion of 10 - 10 - 10 . Apply slow - release fertiliser every three to four months ; fecundate with a standard liquid fertilizer two to four time monthly , at evenly space intervals . At this stage of their development , amaryllis want as much natural sunshine as you could give them .

Fertilizer to Increase Blooming

After your terminal spring frost , move your potted amaryllis out of doors where it will get maximal sunlight . Some older farewell will die back ; simply dress them off to encourage new leaf . irrigate your plant life every day at this time , according to the United States National Arboretum . When your plant has a unspoilt number of healthy leaves , commence fertilizing it with a miserable - nitrogen fertilizer , such as 0 - 10 - 10 or 5 - 10 - 10 , consort to Clemson University . This type of works food is usable commercially as a " prime plugger " plant food or similar name . The University of Florida website recommends using a gloomy - nitrogen , slow - release fertilizer from March through September , verify to follow software system teaching .

Forcing Winter Flowers

you’re able to set the clip of year your amaryllis blooms by give it an artificial dormant period , agree to the University of Florida . For example , for Christmas flowers , set your potted amaryllis in a cool , dark position ( about 55 degrees Fahrenheit ) in mid - August and halt water it . Stop fertilizing at that time . Begin bring in the plant life to sunlight after six to eight weeks and resume watering and regular care at that time .

References

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