Amaryllis cultivation and maintenance knowledge
Today's small experience sharing: topics related to home gardening with amaryllis, knowledge of amaryllis cultivation and maintenance, detailed content will be shared next.
Amaryllis is also known as: dragon claw flower, red amaryllis, mountain urotoxin. Folk names include cockroach flower, alias crow garlic, garlic grass, and cockroach flower. Perennial herb. Family: Amaryllidaceae, Amaryllis genus.
Key points for amaryllis cultivation:
Temperature
Many members of the Amaryllidaceae family prefer a warm climate, so species like Hippeastrum, Crinum, Lycoris, Zephyranthes, and Haemanthus are suitable for flat land cultivation. Lycoris aurea and Clivia miniata thrive at temperatures between 15 to 25 degrees Celsius and are more suitable for cultivation in the north. Clivia miniata should avoid overly humid environments in summer. Narcissus species prefer cool climates and can only be planted in flat areas during winter and spring; Rhodophiala and Anthericum should be planted at medium to high altitudes.
Sunlight
Most bulbous flowers in the Amaryllidaceae family prefer to grow in environments with abundant sunlight, whether in full sun or semi-shade. Insufficient light can lead to poor flowering. Chinese narcissus, when grown in water, still requires 2 to 3 hours of sunlight daily, otherwise it will become leggy and fall over. Clivia miniata prefers a shady environment and should avoid direct sunlight in summer, with 50% to 70% sunlight being ideal.
Soil
Generally speaking, bulbous flowers are not picky about soil. Many bulbous flowers in their native habitats have very hard and dry soil, yet they still bloom beautifully. However, if provided with rich organic loam or sandy loam, they will grow more beautifully. Apart from water-loving species like Crinum and Lycoris, the soil for general cultivation should have good drainage, otherwise the bulbs can easily rot. Fertilizer: Bulbous flowers have a long growing season, and sufficient organic fertilizer should be buried before planting. Top dressing should be applied once every two months, using homemade decomposed manure or a balanced fertilizer, with an emphasis on phosphorus and potassium to promote bulb development and flowering.
Water
The swollen underground stems of amaryllis bulbous flowers make them more tolerant to water deficiency. However, in well-drained soil, ample water is necessary for them to grow fully. When the surface soil is dry and appears grayish-white, water should be supplemented. As the leaves of Lycoris aurea and Anemone coronaria gradually wither, watering should be gradually reduced, and once they enter dormancy, no more watering or fertilizing should be done.
Cultivation Time In the Shanghai area, the suitable cultivation time is from May to November, which can be combined with flowering control. It is forbidden to transplant after the leaves have grown in winter or early spring. In cold regions, planting should be done in spring. Most varieties prefer a warm climate, with the maximum temperature not exceeding 30°C, the average temperature for 10 days being 24°C, which is suitable for amaryllis growth. An average daily temperature of 8°C or higher in winter, with the minimum temperature being 1°C, does not affect amaryllis growth.
Cultivation Environment The planting depth should not be too deep, with the bulb top just buried in the soil surface. A well-drained acidic sandy soil or loose cultivation soil is required, with a moderate amount of base fertilizer applied at planting and thorough watering after planting. During the vegetative growth period, frequent watering is needed to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged to prevent bulb rot. Twenty days before flowering to the flowering period, adequate water must be supplied to ensure uniform flowering and extend the blooming period.
This article shares comprehensive knowledge on the cultivation and maintenance of amaryllis, hoping it can be helpful to you.