Cultivation Method of Hippeastrum
The editor will answer other questions about Hippeastrum flowers, the cultivation method of Hippeastrum, continue reading below!
The cultivation of Hippeastrum is relatively easier than that of Clivia Miniata, very suitable for home planting and cultivation. The following is an introduction to the home cultivation method of Hippeastrum: The morphological characteristics of Hippeastrum: a perennial bulbous plant. The larger bulbs can reach a diameter of 6cm-10cm, the color of the bulb scales is related to the flower color, brown scales for red flowers, light green scales for flowers with white or red stripes. Roots grow from the bottom of the bulb, leaves sprout from the bulb, arranged in two rows, 3-4 on each side, flat and light green. The flower stem also sprouts from the bulb, green, robust, and hollow. The umbel inflorescence is borne at the top of the flower stem, trumpet-shaped, with red, red with white stripes, white with red stripes, etc., usually 2-6 flowers open opposite each other.
prefers semi-shade, not cold-resistant, growth suitable temperature is 18℃-25℃, winter dormancy period suitable temperature is 5℃-10℃. Likes moisture but害怕 waterlogging, prefers loose and organic-rich, well-drained soil. Likes fertilizer, but after flowering, nitrogen fertilizer should be reduced and phosphorus and potassium fertilizer should be increased to promote bulb enlargement.
Main species and varieties also include Hippeastrum, Royal Lily, Chinese Lily, Netted Lily, and Z-type Lily, etc. There are many horticultural varieties.
Key points for propagation: Both bulb division and seed propagation are possible. Bulb division involves taking small bulbs around the mother bulb for propagation, usually carried out between March and April. When taking bulbs, be careful not to damage the roots attached to the small bulbs. Pot cultivation or ground cultivation is possible, and when covering the soil, the top of the small bulbs should be left exposed. In cold areas, bulbs should be dug out in late October, bulbs with a diameter of 6cm-7cm can be divided into pots for planting, waiting to bloom, while small bulbs should be stored in dry sandy soil, and planted in the ground the following April. Generally, after 2 years of ground cultivation, they can form blooming bulbs. Additionally, bulb scales can be divided and cut for propagation during the high-temperature season of July-August to obtain a large number of bulbs. The suitable temperature for cutting is 27℃-30℃, keep moist, and small bulbs can be produced with roots in 6 weeks. Planting should not be too deep, as too deep will cause the neck to grow thin; shallow planting with high temperature promotes vigorous root growth. Plant in March-April, and flowers can bloom in May-June. Water sufficiently during flowering, apply top dressing after flowering, keep in semi-shade during midsummer, and from August onwards, growth gradually stops, reducing water until watering is stopped, keep dry in winter, and maintain a temperature of 10℃-13℃ to promote full dormancy.
Cultivation history and flower culture: Native to tropical and subtropical regions, such as the Andes Mountains in Peru, the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, and Brazil in South America, it was introduced to Europe in 1633 and 1769 respectively. The Dutch studied the flowering period of Hippeastrum and bred plants that can bloom at Christmas and New Year, allowing the beautiful Hippeastrum flowers to bloom according to people's needs. In addition to being used as a potted plant, Hippeastrum is also a high-grade cut flower. It is loved by people for its long flowering period and often becomes a subject for artists.
Hippeastrum Spring Management
Hippeastrum blooms in April and also in winter. To promote flowering, early management should be strengthened.
1. Pot change. As Hippeastrum grows quickly, after a year of growth, it should be moved to a suitable pot.
2. Soil change. After a year or two of cultivation, the potting soil lacks nutrients, and to promote growth and flowering in the new year, new soil should be used.
3. Division. Hippeastrum grows fast, and after a year or two of growth, many small bulbs grow at the top. Therefore, division should be done at the same time as potting and soil changing, combining large bulbs, medium bulbs, and small bulbs into separate pots.
4. Fertilization. When changing pots, changing soil, and planting, a base fertilizer should be applied. After potting, apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizer once a month. The principle of fertilization is to apply thin and frequent applications to promote bud differentiation and flowering.
5. Pruning. Hippeastrum grows fast, with long and dense leaves. Prune the withered leaves, dry roots, and diseased leaves while changing pots and soil, leaving vigorous leaves.
6. Pest and disease control. To promote the vigorous growth of Hippeastrum and early flowering, pest and disease control should be carried out, and flower medicine should be sprayed once a month. It is best to spray the flower medicine between 9 am and 4 pm on a sunny day, avoiding the hot sun at noon to prevent damage.
The above six points are the tasks that should be grasped in the spring management of Hippeastrum.
Propagation Methods of Hippeastrum:
Hippeastrum is a perennial herbaceous plant with a spherical bulb, with a diameter of 10 to 15 cm. The leaves are sword-shaped and neatly arranged, with clear veins and a lustrous green color. The flowers mainly come in red, yellow, pink, green, orange, and bicolors, with a flowering period of 10 to 20 days. Due to its strong ornamental value, it is widely cultivated around the world. Hippeastrum can be propagated by seed sowing, bulb division, and tissue culture. The following are some common methods.
One, newspaper sowing method: After artificial pollination, the Hippeastrum fruit will naturally split open after more than a month, and the seeds can be harvested. After drying in the sun for one or two days, the seeds are sown. Draw a 3cm square grid on the newspaper, place it on the seedbed (avoid direct sunlight), spray water, and place one seed in each grid, then cover with another wet newspaper. Spray water twice a day to keep the newspaper from drying, and after about 15 days, the seedlings will grow out from under the newspaper (temperature 18℃ to 24℃). When the seedlings have two true leaves, they can be transplanted to a large tray with a matrix of vermiculite and peat, and fertilized with nutrient solution. When the seedlings have 6 to 7 leaves, they can be planted in the ground.
Two, shallow pot sowing method: Sieve the cultivation soil and vermiculite and place it in a shallow pot, 3 cm away from the pot opening, then water. When the soil is wet, sow the seeds on the soil surface at a distance of 3×3 cm and cover with sieved soil, not too thick. After sowing, cover the shallow pot with glass and place it in a dark place with a temperature of 18℃ to 24℃ and humidity of 80% to 90%. After about 10 days, the seeds will start to germinate. Gradually adjust the gap of the glass plate until fully opened. When the seedlings have 3 to 4 leaves, they can be transplanted to pots or planted in the ground.
Three, bulb division method: Generally, when changing pots for Hippeastrum, excess bulbs are removed and planted directly in pots or in the ground. This method is simple and has a high survival rate. If the divided small bulbs are strong with a diameter of 5 cm or more, they can bloom in the same year. Smaller bulbs can bloom in about two years.
Four, tissue culture method: MS medium is commonly used, with stem disk, dormant bulb tissue, pedicel, and ovary as explants. Callus is formed after tissue culture, adventitious roots are formed after 30 days, and adventitious buds are formed after 3 to 4 months. When the leaves grow to 4 cm, they can be separated, and after 2 months, the seedlings can be placed in a greenhouse for management.
Question: This Hippeastrum was given to me by a friend~ I like it very much~ But after 2 years, the bulb is not small~ My colleagues say it should bloom~ But it doesn't~ I fertilize and water it regularly~ What's going on?
Answer: Maybe you are taking care of it too well. A little drier in autumn and winter would be better.
This plant is very easy to grow, and bulbs with a diameter of more than 5cm will bloom every year. Let it dry a bit, water with fertilizer once every 7 to 10 days in autumn, and let it grow fully. Cut the leaves in winter to let it dormancy. In the spring, change the pot and apply enough base fertilizer to bloom beautiful flowers. My plant even blooms again in October.
I estimate it's because of too much nitrogen fertilizer and too little phosphorus and potassium fertilizer. Also, after two years, it's time to change the soil and pot.
The natural flowering period of this plant is April to May. If it's past, it's past. But you can start applying a nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium compound fertilizer in mid-June, and in addition to normal watering, apply phosphorus fertilizer every 10 days or so. By the end of July, Hippeastrum may have a chance to bloom.
The key to making Hippeastrum bloom is winter management. After entering winter, stop watering and let it enter a dormant period to bloom in spring. If you water and fertilize in winter, it will cause luxurious growth, and the flower bulb will not form, so it won't bloom. In general, the fewer leaves in winter, the better.
In winter, let it fully dormant, cut off all the leaves, and wait until spring to water it thoroughly to wake it up.
The above introduction to the cultivation method of Hippeastrum is a comprehensive introduction, hoping to bring some knowledge about green plants to green plant enthusiasts.