Post-Bloom Management of Hippeastrum
A brief knowledge about green plants, introducing the content about Hippeastrum, the post-bloom management of Hippeastrum, followed by a comprehensive introduction.
Hippeastrum usually blooms from New Year to the Spring Festival. Here are the introductions to its post-bloom management and some issues that should be noted.
One, when growing in the ground, trim the withered flower stems as soon as possible to minimize leftovers and avoid wasting nutrients. There is no need to cut the long leaves, as retaining them is beneficial for bulb growth. If possible, plant the Hippeastrum bulbs in sandy soil, keeping the soil slightly moist and well-ventilated, loosening the soil and weeding when dry. In summer, when the plants are semi-dormant, prevent drought and strictly avoid fertilizing to prevent bulb rot. From September to October, resume fertilizing as before and add phosphorus and potassium fertilizers to promote bud formation. Stop fertilizing in November and there is no need to rush to dig and move them indoors. It's better to expose them to a light frost (at about -5°C, but not letting the bulbs freeze) before digging them up and potting them. This way, the plants will be robust under natural conditions, producing more stems, more buds, and larger, brighter flowers.
Two, when growing in pots, trim the withered flower stems as soon as possible to minimize leftovers and continue to care for them. If the potting soil is new from last year, there is no need to change it. If the soil has been used for several years and is nutrient-deficient, it is necessary to repot and remove the decayed roots, replacing with new soil. For newly potted plants, avoid watering immediately after repotting to prevent good roots from breaking during soil compaction. Water after one or two days to let the soil settle naturally, which can reduce the occurrence of rotten roots. A few days after repotting, place the plant in a well-lit window to encourage recovery. When the minimum outdoor temperature at night is above 10°C, you can move the potted plant outside. Notes for potting: First, the soil may lose water and cause drought, which can lead to withered leaves, so water appropriately; second, the growth may be limited by the small pot, so you need to fertilize as in ground planting but pay more attention to "frequent application of thin fertilizer". Avoid excessive waterlogging, as it can cause the leaves to become thin and soft, the stems to become thin with few small flowers, or even no stems or flowers.
Three, precautions:
1. During winter (in November), stop watering and fertilizing (even if the soil is dry, do not water), and start management in December for early bloomers, or March and April for late bloomers. Under normal room temperature in winter, watering can break the bulb dormancy and bring it into a growing state. Generally, you can see buds or new leaves in two weeks, and flowers in four to five weeks.
2. There is no need to cut the leaves after blooming unless they are old, damaged, or too long and affect the appearance. Since the leaves produce nutrients for the entire plant through photosynthesis, having more leaves is better than fewer. Therefore, cutting leaves for no reason is not logical.
3. If there are only a few pots, there is no need to cut the leaves and roots for dry storage during winter. Placing them under the bed or in a corner is not a problem. After a short dormancy, cut off the wilted leaves and manage them normally, and you will have beautiful flowers to enjoy.
4. Hippeastrum loves light, and it is extremely important to provide adequate light throughout its growing process.
The above sharing of the specific introduction to the post-bloom management of Hippeastrum, hoping you will like it!