Hadeco Bulb Article – Hippeastrum
These velvety belles can even be grown hydroponically.

Patience may be a virtue, but it’s rather time-consuming waiting for something exciting to happen. That’s why Hippeastrum, better known as amaryllis (but not to be confused with the indigenous Amaryllis species) are the go-to bulb for those with a little less patience than the virtuous. Because they flower within eight weeks of planting, they’re a hit with gardeners who thrive on immediate gratification.
This gratification does take some work, of course. But amaryllis are quite easy to grow, so this work is rather minimal. Normal planting time is from September to November, so these trumpet-shaped blooms appear around the festive season, giving them their other common name, Christmas flower. Because of the awesome spectrum of colours available to us in South Africa, thanks to Hadeco’s continued work on developing new hybrids since first importing amaryllis around 1950, and the variety in terms of sizes – from the larger Symphony hybrids to the more miniature Sonata and Sonatini ranges – there’s a form of amaryllis to suit every taste and requirement. Sonata’s blooms are around 14cm in diameter, while Sonatini’s are about 8cm on average. These smaller versions are ideal for table settings, while the 20cm Symphony cultivars work best as an outdoor focal point, with their striking colour options of white, rose, pink, magenta, salmon, orange, yellow, red and even striped petals adding massive visual appeal to a garden. For even more impact, look out for the double-form amaryllises, with two or three times the amount of petals per bloom than the regular plants.
Choose a sunny spot for planting, and make sure you have the right soil (about two thirds potting soil mixed with one third sand). Because of their already present roots, soil should be loosened to 30cm so that these roots can hang without breaking. Carefully fill the spaces around and between the roots with soil, leaving the top third of the bulb exposed above ground. Tap this soil to remove air pockets, and water immediately, making sure the water reaches root level. Don’t water these bulbs again until you see them developing shoots, then water them about twice a week.
Drainage is very important in order to prevent the bulbs from rotting, and another thing to be avoided is the black-and-yellow caterpillar, the lily borer, who will very willingly eat down to the heart of the bulb if you don’t find him on time. It’s a good idea to use the Margaret Roberts Biological Caterpillar Insecticide to eliminate this occurrence. Make the right moves and you’ll soon have flowers in full bloom.
An added bonus with Hippeastrum is that they can be forced to remain dormant until such a time that you wish to plant them (two six to eight weeks before you want them to flower). By placing bulbs in the fridge, in a separate, protected drawer so as not to affect the rest of your fridge’s contents, their growth can be resisted until such a time that you remove them and plant them in warm soil, which stimulates plant growth. This can be done up until February, which is the latest you should plant forced bulbs if you desire great results.
These velvety belles can even be grown hydroponically. Place a bulb on the top of a narrow-lipped, see-through vase filled with water for the roots.Ensure that the water level is just below the bottom of the bulb and not touching the base.Then watch as the flower spike and blooms develop.
What’s more, with garden-grown amaryllis, you can leave them year on year for continued seasonal growth, simply by looking after their needs. Keep the stems even after the flowers have died, and feed the soil with bulb food once a week until March, while also watering twice a week until the end of April. When you stop watering, the bulb will enter dormancy and will remain inactive during the cold winter months (as it does when you place it in the fridge). Once all foliage has yellowed and wilted and no more photosynthesis can occur, you can choose to keep the bulbs in the soil or you may lift and store them in a cool, dry place until you replant them in spring.
Whether it’s a Christmas table decoration you’re after or a big Symphony welcoming guests outside your front door, it’s easy to grow amaryllis – and grow them fast!
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