How many days does it take for Hippeastrum bulbs to germinate?
Today's sharing: The content about how many days it takes for Hippeastrum bulbs to germinate and the planting methods of Hippeastrum, as well as the green plant flowers. Here is a comprehensive introduction.
Hippeastrum is a perennial bulbous flower of the Amaryllidaceae family. Hippeastrum is also known as red lily, Chinese amaryllis, striped Chinese amaryllis, pillar red, red-petaled amaryllis, solitary red, double red, double double red, etc. Hippeastrum has a very high ornamental value, with varieties of white, red, or white and red. The flowering period is from May to June. The large, round bulbs of Hippeastrum have 4-8 flat and slightly thick leaves. The flowers emerge first, with robust and hollow flower stems in the leaf clusters. There are 3-6 large funnel-shaped flowers similar to lilies on the flower stems, which are colorful and loved by flower enthusiasts. How to plant Hippeastrum to make it grow well?
Hippeastrum is native to the tropical regions of South America, prefers a warm and humid climate, with an optimal growth temperature of 18-25°C. It does not like intense heat and strong sunlight, and should be kept under a shaded canopy. It is afraid of waterlogging. During the winter dormancy period, it requires a cool and humid climate, with a temperature of 10-12°C, and should not be lower than 5°C. It prefers a sandy loam rich in humus and well-drained.
The potting soil for cultivating Hippeastrum should be fertile and well-drained, usually mixed with decomposed leaf soil and fertile garden soil. Planting Hippeastrum in pots is done in spring or autumn. It is important to select the right size pot for Hippeastrum, with large bulbs requiring pots with a diameter of 20-22 cm and smaller bulbs needing pots with a diameter of 15-18 cm. If planted in April, the bulbs can bloom in June. If planted in September and kept in a warm room, they can bloom in March or April of the following year.
The propagation of Hippeastrum usually involves the methods of sowing seeds and separating small bulbs. Seeds can be sown after maturation and can be sown at any time. Under conditions of 18-20°C, germination is quick, usually taking 10-15 days to sprout. When the seedlings have grown 2 true leaves, they can be transplanted. When transplanting, care should be taken not to damage the roots of the seedlings. Seed propagation generally results in flowering in the third year. Nowadays, the method of separating small bulbs is commonly used. The old bulbs of Hippeastrum can produce 2-3 small bulbs each year, which can be planted separately. Care should be taken not to damage the roots of the small bulbs and to leave their tops exposed above the ground, so they can bloom the following year.
When planting Hippeastrum, first cover the bottom of the pot with tiles, then place a 2-3 cm thick layer of coarse sand to aid drainage, followed by the prepared growing soil. When planting the bulbs, do not completely bury them in the soil; leave one-third exposed. After planting, water thoroughly and place the pot in a semi-shaded area to avoid direct sunlight. In high humidity conditions, the bulbs can sprout flower stalks and leaves in about one month. At this time, they should be placed in a sunny area for care. As the Hippeastrum plants grow, the watering should be increased, with the highest water requirement during flowering. After flowering, water requirements decrease. During growth and flowering, fertilize 2-3 times. Fertilization should be stopped in summer. During the bulb dormancy period, reduce watering to maintain the bulb's vitality without withering. Excessive watering combined with high temperatures can cause the bulb leaves to grow excessively, which is not conducive to Hippeastrum's dormancy and can affect normal flowering. Move the plants indoors for winter, keep the potting soil dry, stop watering, and maintain a room temperature above 5°C. During the winter dormancy period, the aerial leaves naturally wither and should be cut off completely.
Have you understood the detailed introduction of how many days it takes for Hippeastrum bulbs to germinate and the planting methods of Hippeastrum described above?