Rules for caring for amaryllis after flowering at home

The exquisitely beautiful amaryllis blooms once a year, filling the room with a delicate fragrance. A strong stem raises inflorescences with bright lily-shaped buds. Caring for the plant can hardly be called simple, but lovers spare no effort to enjoy the rare beauty. Consider how to grow amaryllis, what kind of home care the plant needs after flowering, so that the mighty flower stalks rise again.

Description and peculiarities of the plant

Amaryllis described (Amaryllis) by Karl Linnaeus, who separated a lily-like plant into a separate family of Amaryllis. The natural ancestors of the warm beauty come from South Africa.

This herbaceous perennial is a bulbous plant. The bulb measures between 6 and 12 centimeters. The leaves are narrow (2-3 centimeters) and long, arranged in pairs.During flowering, the foliage is almost absent - the whole plant consists of 2-3 stems on which there are flowers. The number of buds is 4-12 on each stem. The color of the petals ranges from white to red. Flowering lasts 2 weeks. If you take care of amaryllis, maintaining temperature and humidity, the flowers will last up to 3 weeks.

Reference: Amaryllis is distinguished from the similar hippeastrum by a stem without a cavity, an elongated bulb and a pleasant, tangible aroma.

Conditions of detention

When caring for a flower, one should not forget that the conditions of detention are clearly divided into periods. During an active growing season and during a dormant period, different conditions must be maintained - this will ensure flowering.

Lighting

The flower needs long-term daylight lighting - up to 16 hours. Sills facing southwest and southeast are ideal. Amaryllis are protected from direct sunlight.

air humidity

The flower does not need special air humidification, it has enough humidity from the palette. The leaves and stem are periodically wiped with a damp sponge to remove dust. It's extra moisture.

Support

In most cases, it is not necessary to support the flower - the stem is strong. The support is made when the peduncle is bent or tilted, the pot is often moved and turned.

Soil and capacity

Amaryllis is planted in pots with a small diameter (5 centimeters more than the diameter of the bulb) and a considerable depth. Drainage is laid at the bottom for 2-3 centimeters. It is better to choose heavy pots so that the powerful peduncle does not fill the container with the plant.

For planting, they buy ready-made soil mixtures for bulbous plants or prepare the land themselves.Composition - turf, leaf mixture, 2-part sand, 1-part humus.

Seasonal Care Features

Consider the characteristics of the life cycle of amaryllis in different seasons and the associated maintenance rules for the seasons.

Spring

At the end of winter, at the beginning of spring, the rested amaryllis are put in the light and begin to maintain the conditions for the resumption of vegetation. Watering, heat, light awaken the bulbs, the foliage grows, the formation of peduncles begins. If you have to hunt a flower on a certain date, the pots are removed 2 months before the desired time. In the spring, fertilizers are actively applied, watered and moisturized with amaryllis.

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Summer

From the beginning of summer, watering amaryllis is necessary when the topsoil dries out. The number of dressings is recorded - once every 2 weeks. The amount of nitrogen fertilization is reduced so as not to damage the bulbs.

Autumn

In September, feeding is stopped, the amount and intensity of watering is gradually reduced. In mid-November, a dry period sets in for amaryllis - it hardly needs water. The foliage gradually dries out, yellowing leaves should not be cut - they should give the bulb strength. If some leaves do not die for a long time, they are simply bent to the ground.

Winter

With the onset of December, pots with dormant bulbs are removed to cool, dark places with a temperature of 6-10°. The bulbs hibernate in the ground and are not harvested. To ensure survival in very dry environments, the soil is lightly moistened once a month. Hibernation lasts 2-2.5 months.

Dormant period

After flowering, the green part gradually dies off, the pot is removed to a dark cool place (6-10°). There, the bulb will rest for 2-2.5 months.

Size

The peduncle and leaves are cut when completely dry, turn yellow-brown, do not contain moisture. If the leaves retain moisture, they are bent towards the pot when sent to rest.

Rejuvenation

Aged amaryllis can be rejuvenated by division. The bulb, without removing it from the ground, is cut into 3-4 parts with a sterile knife, without dividing it. Each piece should have scales, a section of the bottom of the root, roots. The cuts are sprinkled with charcoal, tongs (metal, wood) are inserted between the parts. When all parts began to grow, leaves appeared - you can transfer seedlings to separate containers.

watering

Water the plant according to the following scheme:

• water is poured into a pan or along the edge of the pot without touching the onion;
• during the growing season - as the top layer dries out, avoiding stagnant moisture;
• when the peduncle has reached 10 centimeters, watering in small portions is carried out in 3-4 days;
• after flowering - watering is gradually reduced.

Amaryllis on winter vacation lightly moisturizes once every 1-1.5 months.

top dresser

Abundant flowering will not occur without top dressing. Amaryllis is fertilized every 2 weeks, alternating mineral and organic mixtures. Nitrogen fertilizers are used carefully to avoid the proliferation of the green part and the scalding of the bulb. During flowering, fertilizing is introduced into the irrigation water every 3-5 days.

Reference: experienced florists try to avoid organic matter so as not to infect amaryllis with pathogenic flora and pests.

Pollination

Pollination is carried out to obtain seeds by transferring pollen to the stamens of another plant. Amaryllis can self-pollinate by attaching the pod. It will take about a month and a half to mature.

Features of planting and transplanting

During the growing season, the diameter of the bulb increases, the soil substrate becomes depleted and loses nutrients. Amaryllis requires transplants, which are carried out according to the following rules:

1. The flower is transplanted every 3-4 years. The first 2-3 centimeters of soil are renewed every year.
2. The transplant is carried out when the green part dries up and dries up.
3. 2-3 days before the procedure, the plant is moistened.
4. The bulb is taken out of the pot with the earth, carefully remove the earth.
5. Damaged roots are pruned, old scales are removed from the bulb. The children are removed.
6. The bare areas of the bulb are dusted with charcoal powder.
7. They take a disinfected pot with a larger diameter than it was - the bulb should not reach 3 centimeters from the walls.
8. Lay drainage 2-3 centimeters. A sand cushion is made under the onion.
9. The soil is covered and packed down. The bulb should rise one-third the height of the soil.

If you want to transplant a bulb damaged by a disease, the planting material is soaked for half an hour in a fungicide solution or simple potassium permanganate. Then dry thoroughly before planting. The same is done with bulbs purchased or obtained from outside.

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When purchasing planting material, special attention is paid to a healthy appearance. Bulbs should be free from damage, signs of rot and mechanical injury. The best size is 6 to 7 centimeters in diameter.

Breeding methods

You can multiply a plant in 3 ways, which have their own characteristics:

1. Seeds. Seed propagation is rarely used, mainly by breeders, since amaryllis will bloom only after 4-5 years. When self-bred seeds, they should be planted as soon as possible, germination decreases during storage. Sown in a fertile substrate and placed in a warm room (22-26°).
2. Division of the bulb. Used to rejuvenate homemade amaryllis. You can only divide an absolutely healthy large onion.
3. Children. During the growing season, the amaryllis takes care of reproduction on its own, raising children. The offspring give healthy flowers with good care. The bulbs are carefully separated, transferred to small containers with a perlite-sand mixture until the roots grow. Then transferred to permanent pots. Young amaryllis bloom in 2-3 years.

The most popular is to plant amaryllis with overgrown children. The plant has a good survival rate, the plant blooms in the shortest time.

Solve common problems

Diseases, pests and violations of the conditions of detention have a negative effect on the appearance of amaryllis, slow down the growing season and often prevent flowering. Let's consider the problems and possible solutions.

Care errors

If the conditions of detention are violated, the amaryllis looks withered and neglected, the foliage fades, the peduncle grows slowly, with a small number of weakened buds.

The leaves are fading

The thinning of the leaves causes an excess of light. The plant is sheltered from the sun, slightly shaded.

Blackening of flowers

Cold, overly humid air causes the flowers to blacken. To solve the problem, watering is reduced, the air temperature in the room is raised above 18-20 °.

Slow growing

The slowdown in development is caused by a lack of light, humidity, feeding, damage caused by diseases and pests. Standardization of care and treatment is necessary depending on the problem.

white dots

In case of mealybug infection, white spots appear on the green part. Treatment is done with insecticides.

Bulb rot

Bulbs rot with excess moisture, pests and fungal diseases. The solution is to normalize irrigation, treatment with insecticides, fungicides.

Brown stains

Spots of yellow-brown color are traces of the influence of the false shield. Amaryllis is treated with insecticides, folk remedies.

yellow leaves

Excess moisture and an infestation of aphids can cause yellow foliage. Reduce watering, fight the pest.

Diseases

Most diseases are caused by fungal infections of bulbs and soil. Excessive watering provokes the development of amaryllis diseases.

Anthracnose

Symptoms are brown, dry spots at the tips of the leaves. Treatment - soil replacement, fungicides.

Stagonosporosis

Signs of red rot - streaks and spots on the bulb, then on the foliage, orange-red. Treatment - removal of the bulb, pruning, dressing with fungicides.

gray rot

The signs are grayish spots on the foliage. Treatment - treatment with fungicides.

Important: in case of severe damage to the bulb of amaryllis, it is better to destroy it - this will prevent infection of other plants.

Root rot

Signs - deformation, spots on the bulb, wilting of the green part. Treatment - pruning healthy tissue, fungicidal treatment.

Fusarium

Scientific name for root rot. The disease is caused by fungi of the genus Fusarium.

pests

Bulb pests are particularly dangerous for amaryllis. The infection remains undetected for a long time, during which time the damage often becomes irreversible.

The plant must be destroyed so that neighboring crops are not infected.

onion mite

The pest eats the bulbs. It is usually found when the green part begins to fade. It is difficult to fight the tick, the plant usually dies.

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fake shield

Brown seals and spots on the foliage are traces of false shield. To cope with the pest, treatment with soapy water, Aktellik, Aktara preparations will help.

Aphid

Weakened yellow leaves are the result of an aphid infestation. Pests are removed by hand, using insecticides or folk remedies.

cochineal

Blooming white cotton on greenery is a sign of a mealybug lesion. The foliage becomes sticky, deformed. Physical removal and insecticides help.

Thrips

Stripes, spots, holes in the foliage leave thrips on amaryllis. This is a common type of pest, which is fought with a double application of insecticides - Aktellika, Karate, Intavira.

Spider

At low air humidity, a spider mite quickly multiplies on amaryllis, which can be seen by a fine mesh under the leaves. Treatment - insecticides, increased air humidity.

amaryllis bug

The white pest hides in onion scales, eating the tissues. It is necessary to remove the blister, excise the damage, treat with drugs.

Leopard

A white bug can be found on the ground. For the destruction, it will be necessary to replace the upper layer of the soil, stripping with insecticides, and limiting watering.

Popular varieties

Breeders offer florists a lot of amaryllis hybrids of the most exquisite forms with abundant flowering.

Nymph

Amaryllis with lush peony flowers with a diameter of 22-25 centimeters. The pupa has up to 3 peduncles.

red lion

Red Lion blooms in large red flowers with beautiful streaks in a darker tone.

Faith

The pearly pink flowers with white petals are delicate and touching.

Macarena

The red petals of lush flowers are painted with white stripes.

Durban

A bell-shaped flower with red petals - a white stroke runs down the center from the base.

parker

Bright Parker has pink-purple petals, in the middle there are yellowish stripes and stamens.

Snow Queen

The snow-white flowers of the Snow Queen shine with a light sheen on the petals.

double dream

The elegant multi-petalled flowers have a rich coral-pink hue. At the edges there are white strokes.

Ferrari

The fiery color of the Ferrari petals is highlighted in the center. The yellow stamens nuance the red tone.

Minerva

Minerva has lush flowers with a red border along the edge, the middle is white with small touches of pale green.

Additional tips and tricks

Inexperienced flower growers will be helped by the advice of experienced amaryllis lovers:

1. The large diameter of the pot, the excess free space stimulate the reproduction of the bulb. She raises children, there is no more strength for flowering.
2. The bulb should not be buried - this interferes with the growth of the peduncle.
3. If it is not possible to provide natural light, the flower is illuminated with fluorescent lamps.
4. Active feeding supports the growth of the peduncle, providing a large number of buds.
5. Without rest in a dark, cool place, the bulb will not gain strength for further flowering.
6. Bulbs damaged by pests and diseases must be completely healed before planting.
7. When transplanting and cleaning the bulbs, gloves should be used - the tissues contain poison dangerous to humans.
8. With a large number of amaryllis, you need to provide convenient shelves for winter storage in optimal conditions.

If the bulb grows too quickly, don't wait 3 years to transfer it to a large container. The plant should be transplanted earlier to ensure a comfortable growing season.

All the difficulties of caring for amaryllis are rewarded with beautiful flowers, proudly standing on a dense long stem. Breeders have created real masterpieces - bright, lush and exquisite forms and shades of hybrids that decorate apartments not only with their appearance, but also with a pleasant aroma. With proper care, amaryllis will delight you with abundant flowering for many years.