With her spectacular floweringAmaryllis (cultivar) can only be kept ininterior in our latitudes. Very easy to grow, it blooms again every year without the need for much care. But there is an Amaryllis that can be grown in theoutside, and which is none other than the Amaryllis Belladonne. Let’s find out how to maintain one and the other to take advantage of their amazing flowering, inside and out, over the years.
Growing Indoor Amaryllis (Hippeastrum)
This type of Amaryllis belongs to the genus Hippeastrum and to the family of Liliaceae but, according to the phylogenetic classification, these bulbous are integrated into the family of Amaryllidaceae.
The Amaryllis needs a lot of light and must be cultivated in a jar, on the inside of the dwelling. However, avoid placing it just in front of a south-facing window to avoid direct sunlight. Its bulb is planted in a substrate of the type potting soil or in the peat mixed with a little clay-siliceous soil where it can remain without problem for 3 or 4 years. The bulb should be two-thirds buried, and in a small-diameter pot.
Caring for your indoor Amaryllis
These cultivars do not need much attention.
Water
one to two moderate watering per week are needed during the growth period. The substrate must begin to dry out between two waterings. When the flowers have faded and the Amaryllis are dormant, they should no longer be watered.
Fertiliser
Every two to three weeks, a liquid fertilizer application added to the irrigation water is welcome after flowering until July. Flowering plant fertilizer can be used. Then, from the beginning of August until October, the substrate is fertilized with a little tomato fertilizer because it is particularly rich in potash, in order to promote flowering the following year. Fertilizers are stopped in November.
Repot
The Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) must be repotted every 4 years at most. This replaces all of the old substrate. It is therefore not necessary to opt for another pot larger than the previous one. The same is quite suitable.
Pests and diseases
This plant is not very sensitive. At most she is touched by the narcissus fly. To prevent the larvae of this parasite from overcoming the bulb on which they feed, it is best to resort, in prevention, to a decoction of tansy or even a maceration of garlic, two natural solutions to be sprayed on the bulb.
Excess humidity can cause gray rota fungal disease known as botrytis which causes the bulb to die. In the slightest doubt, it is necessary to replant the bulb without delay in a new substrate.
Flowering of Amaryllis (Hippeastrum)
Only if she was able to benefit from a high luminosity and enough sun for this plant to flower. Between November and March the very large flowers of the hybrid Amaryllis bloom, available in different colors and up to 15 to 16 cm in diameter. A group of 2 to 4 flowers with 6 petals is carried by a hollow stem up to 90 cm high. Flowers can be heavy enough to tip the pot. Precautions must therefore be taken to limit breakage.
As soon as the flowers have faded, it is advisable to cut the flower stalk about 3 cm above the bulb. On the other hand, we do not prune the ribbon-like green leaves that sometimes appear after the flowers. It is absolutely necessary to keep them because they are what will allow the bulb to rebuild a stock of nutrients in order to generate the next flowering.
On ne remove the leaves only in summer, beginning of the dormant period, or as soon as they have completely yellowed. It is then that the bulbs have to be stored dry, in their pot, in a cool place where the temperature is between 10 and 12°C, for a good dozen weeks. After which it will be necessary to install them at home for a new winter flowering.
Never throw away an Amaryllis bulb that doesn’t seem to want to flower. It will always end up flowering, even if it takes two or three years…
Amaryllis belladonna, to grow outdoors
Also called lily of jersey, this bulbous perennial should not be confused with the indoor Amaryllis. Moreover, belladonna is the genuine Amaryllis which botanists distinguish from cultivars of the genus Hippeastrum and which we have extensively mentioned above.
The Amaryllis belladonna or belladonna is not a houseplant. It is intended for the garden. It is planted in September, in loose, light, and absolutely well-drained soil because the bulb does not tolerate excess humidity. This superb plant must be installed sheltered from the wind and the cold but in a sunny area of the garden, or half-shaded during the day in the southern regions. It will do wonders with its trumpet-shaped corollas which bloom from the end of August until October 15 or 20.
Note that the Amaryllis Belladonna can be installed in a pot of about 35 cm in diameter, which can be placed on the balcony or the terrace, but in any case not at home. Growing in pots, on the other hand, allows the plant to be sheltered if severe frosts are feared.