Amaryllis is a flowering plant from the Amaryllis family, class monocotyledonous. This genus is rather small. It was first identified in the middle of the 18th century, indicating only one variety. Its homeland is South Africa, also a flower common in Australia. The beauty of succulent leaves, huge flowers and rich aroma make amaryllis a favorite of flower growers in other countries. In a temperate climate, it is grown as a houseplant. Sometimes in the summer the flower is transplanted to a flower bed, but it absolutely does not tolerate cold weather.
Botanical characteristics
Amaryllis is a perennial plant with pronounced life cycles. Its root system is represented by a large, almost rounded bulb, slightly elongated vertically. The diameter of the bulb reaches 4-5 cm. Outside are grayish dry films. A whitish, fibrous rhizome grows from the bottom.
Fleshy linear leaves are arranged in pairs in one plane. They are 2-3 cm wide and about 60 cm long. The color of the foliage is dark green.
Amaryllis blooms in the second half of spring. First, upon awakening, a long, fleshy flower stalk up to 60 cm high appears, and then an umbrella inflorescence blossoms on its top. Usually there are 4-6 flowers in it, but their number can reach 12. Large corollas in the shape of a bell with six petals reach a diameter of 10-12 cm. White, cream, pink (almost reaching red) shades predominate in their color. In the center are long stamens with large anthers and an ovary.
After pollination, seed boxes with three faces ripen. Mature achenes open independently. Inside there are small seeds, on which there are often winged outgrowths.
Attention! It should be remembered that amaryllis is poisonous. It is enough to eat a small part of the plant so that vomiting, dizziness and even kidney failure appear. Therefore, it is necessary to wash your hands after working with the plant and not to let children and animals in it.
Amaryllis or hippeastrum
Not everyone can distinguish amaryllis from hippeastrum, because they are very similar in appearance. Very often, flower growers consider them synonyms or varieties. And this is not surprising, since both plants belong to the same genus Amaryllis. But here are the main differences:
- amaryllis has an elongated, pear-shaped bulb covered with ash-gray films, while in the hippeastrum the bulb is round, greenish-white;
- the flower stalk of amaryllis is shorter and denser, there is no cavity in its center, and a larger number of buds adorn the top;
- unlike hippeastrum, amaryllis flowers cannot be so bright (red, orange, pink, yellow), their color scheme is in the range from beige to bright pink;
- Amaryllis flowers bloom immediately after awakening, before the leaves appear;
- blooming amaryllis spreads an intense aroma, while the next of kin has almost no odor.
Decorative varieties
For a long time, the genus of amaryllis was considered monotypic, that is, it included a single species - the amaryllis Belladonna. Only at the end of the XX century. The following variety was discovered. Today there are 4 of them. However, it was from the first that breeders brought forth many varietal amaryllises. They are distinguished by terry flowers, the structure of the petals and color. The most interesting of them:
- Red Lion - 2-4 large red flowers bloom on the arrow;
- Nymph - petals with wavy edges are covered with narrow red stripes, and the diameter of the flower reaches 25 cm;
- Ferrari - red amaryllis up to 60 cm high with flowers up to 15 cm in diameter;
- Parker - saturated pink large flowers at the base have a yellow spot;
- Vera - light pink flowers with a pearly bloom;
- Macarena - terry bright red flowers with a white central stripe on the outer petals.
Propagation Features
Amaryllis can be propagated by seed or vegetatively. To obtain seeds, it is necessary to conduct cross-pollination on your own, transferring pollen with a brush from one flower to another. Ripening occurs within a month. During this period, it is necessary to maintain the temperature no more than + 24 ° C. Seed collection is done as the boxes crack. They retain good germination for up to 1.5 months, so you should not hesitate. For planting use containers with a mixture of leaf and turf land with humus. The soil should always be slightly moist. Planting material close up to a depth of 5 mm. Before emergence, the container is covered with a film and kept in a room with a temperature of + 22 ... + 25 ° C. Seedlings with two real leaves are planted in separate small pots. Leaf pruning in the first 2-3 years is not performed. Flowering will begin in 7-8 years.
Vegetative propagation is more popular, since varietal characters are preserved and flowering begins from 3-4 years of life. Typically, the following methods are used:
- Department of children. When transplanting from the mother's bulb, tiny bulbs with a developed root are separated. Planting is carried out in separate pots with soil for adult plants. During the year, leaf pruning is not carried out so that the baby accumulates nutrients.
- Bulb division. A strong adult bulb is dug up before the beginning of the dormant period, the leaves with the upper part are cut off and vertical incisions are made, forming 4-8 divisions. Each should retain a part of the bottom and external scales. Places of cuts are treated with crushed wood ash. First, dried bulbs are planted in wet sand. It is periodically moistened, but very carefully. Delenki root for about a month, then you can notice the first sprout. Plants with 2 leaves are ready for transplanting into full soil.
Landing rules
In order for amaryllis to actively grow and bloom regularly, it is necessary to pay great attention to the planting procedure and the choice of flowerpot. Its size should correspond to the size of the bulb. The free space from the side to the plant should remain about 3 cm. A more spacious tank will contribute to the formation of many children. It is best to carry out a transplant in July.
A thick drainage layer is necessarily poured at the bottom of the pot. The bulb itself is buried to about mid-height. During the procedure, the foliage is not cut so that during the period of adaptation the plant receives nutrients. Rooting takes up to 1.5 months.
The soil mixture is made up of turf and leaf soil (2 parts each), as well as humus and sand (1 part each). Fresh soil must be sterilized.
Home Care
Amaryllis refers to plants with a pronounced period of activity and dormancy. The conditions of detention depend on these phases. Awakening of the flower occurs in the spring, and in the fall (about 3 months), amaryllis spends hibernation when the entire ground part dies.
Lighting. The inhabitant of Africa needs bright sunlight, direct rays on leaves and flowers do not cause problems. It is necessary to provide daylight hours of 14-16 hours. If the light source is on one side, then the flower arrow and foliage may distort, so the pot is rotated regularly. Bulb does not need lighting during the dormant period.
Temperature. In the spring-summer period, amaryllises are kept at a temperature of + 20 ... + 24 ° C, at night 2–4 ° C cooling is desirable. It is very useful to regularly ventilate the room, but in no case should you put amaryllis in a draft. In winter, the optimum temperature is + 10 ... + 12 ° C.
Humidity. The optimal range is 50-90%. You should adhere to the rule that the higher the temperature, the greater the humidity. You can increase it with the help of water trays or periodic spraying.
Watering. Bulbous plants do not tolerate stagnation of moisture in the soil. Water them very moderately. It is advisable to pour well-purified, settled water into the pan so that it does not accumulate in the shells of the bulb. The soil should be slightly moist, but not too dry. During dormancy, watering flowers is not necessary at all. In spring, watering is resumed with great care.
Fertilizer. During the growing season, twice a month, fertilizing is applied to the soil. It is necessary to alternate organic and mineral complexes. Do not use compositions with a high nitrogen content.
Pruning. Amaryllis flowers last up to 25 days. Sometimes, in order not to deplete the bulb, the arrow is cut off after the opening of the first bud. In a vase, she will stand as much. In autumn, the leaves fade and dry. The shoots are cut, and the bulb is transferred to a dark, cool place. It is impossible to cut the leaves to dry completely, since from them the flower receives the necessary nutrition for full development.
Bloom. With ordinary care, the flowering of amaryllis occurs annually in late summer. However, buds can be stimulated by a specific date. From strong and healthy bulbs after transplanting, shoots are actively growing. It takes about two months from transplanting to the appearance of buds. If the number of peduncles exceeds 2, the excess is removed so as not to deplete the plant. If the flowers do not appear for a long time, there may be several reasons:
- an excessively large pot;
- bulb planting too deep;
- lack of fertilizer;
- low light and low temperatures;
- lack of a full rest period (at least 3 months).
Diseases and pests. Amaryllis is susceptible to fungal diseases. They appear spots on the leaves and bulb with an unpleasant putrefactive odor. As a treatment, the damaged areas are cut off and treated with a fungicide, Bordeaux liquid or potassium permanganate solution. In the open air, the plant may suffer from attacks of spider mite and onion mites, thrips, mealybug, scale insects, aphids. Insecticides and acaricides will help save him.
