Caring for amaryllis: water & fertilize at flowering time

The magnificent, star-shaped flowers always create a pre-Christmas mood. We look at what to consider when caring for the amaryllis.

The different types of amaryllis (Hippeastrum) are also known as delphiniums. Botanically, they are part of the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae) assigned. The designation as amaryllis for the red, white or pink flowering and bulb-forming plants known to us is not entirely correct. Formerly they were namely of the genus amaryllis assigned. However, this is now reserved for a single species. You can tell whether it is a real amaryllis or the knight's star that we often encounter It is easy to find out: The knight's star first develops its magnificent flower and only then does the elongated one Leaves. The real amaryllis, on the other hand, only blooms after the leaves have previously formed. Nevertheless, they are well represented Hippeastrum- Species mostly referred to as amaryllis. Here you can find out what care the knight star needs and how it can be brought to flower safely.

Buy amaryllis: in a pot or as an onion

Amaryllis are offered in two ways. Either you opt for the amaryllis in the pot that has been pre-cultivated by the gardener. A sprouting of the onion can often be observed here. However, you can also buy the loose amaryllis bulb and plant it yourself in a pot.

In a nutshell, what should be considered when buying a knight's star in a pot or as a loose onion:

Buy amaryllis in pots

• Healthy appearance.
• The substrate is not too moist, as waterlogging can be fatal for the onion
• Strong bud, because the thicker the bud, the more flowers are likely to develop.
• If necessary, protect from temperatures that are too low during transport - it can be critical at temperatures below 10 ° C.

Buy amaryllis as an onion

• Loose bulbs can be planted by yourself from October to December.
• Do not choose a pot that is too large - there should only be 1 to 2 cm space on all sides between the onion and the edge of the pot.
• Commercially available compost or peat-based potting soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5 is suitable as a substrate.
• Cover the lower half to two thirds of the onion in the pot with soil.
• Let the top third to half of the onion peek out of the soil.
• Water lightly after planting so that the substrate settles a little.
• Keep the onion warm for forcing (room temperature around 20 ° C).

Caring for the amaryllis: the different growth cycles

When is the best care for the amaryllis? This essentially depends on the phase in which the knight star is currently. After all, the amaryllis family is a perennial plant and its life cycle does not end when flowering is completed in February.

The following phases determine the life and needs of an amaryllis:

1. Heyday from December to February
2. growth from March to August
3. Resting phase August to December

In this article we will focus exclusively on the amaryllis' flowering preferences. If the plant should not give way after its flowering and should continue to bloom for more years, you can read here in the article about the Caring for the amaryllis after flowering read how you can coax the imposing flowers out of the onion again.

Amaryllis: care during the flowering period

In order for the amaryllis to feel good and bloom as magnificently as possible, you have to consider a few things for optimal care.

The right location

The right location for a flowering amaryllis is in the house. It doesn't even matter whether this place is flooded with light on the board of a light window or rather on a chest of drawers in a rather darker place in the hallway. It is essentially important that the room temperature (around 20 ° C) is available. Therefore, caution is advised if during the cold season of the year you ventilate the house to let fresh air into the house: In any case, the amaryllis should be taken out of the line of the frosty, fresh breeze to avoid cold damage avoid.

The right temperature

The amaryllis is very sensitive to cold. Therefore, the temperatures in their vicinity should not be below 15 ° C. However, different temperatures in the culture of the amaryllis can be optimal.
If the amaryllis is still in the bud stage and has to be driven until it blooms, temperatures of around 20 ° C accelerate this process. This shortens the time it takes for the flower to appear.
If the amaryllis is already showing its impressive flowers, you want to keep them alive for as long as possible. Somewhat lower temperatures between 15 and 20 ° C are recommended for this.

Water and fertilize blooming amaryllis properly

When watering the flowering amaryllis, less is definitely more! The water requirement is rather low and it can quickly happen that the substrate contains too much water. Since the onion tends to develop mold quickly when it is waterlogged, a small amount of water should only be given when the substrate begins to visibly dry out. It is best to put the water in the repot or trivet. This prevents water from coming directly onto the onion and provoking mold.

No fertilization of the amaryllis is required during flowering. The supply is ensured by the nutrient-storing onion. If the amaryllis is well supplied with nutrients during its growth phase in spring and summer, it can still feed on them during flowering. Accordingly, fertilization should be carried out regularly between April and August. For an optimal supply of nutrients, we recommend an organic liquid fertilizer such as our Plantura Organic flower & balcony fertilizerwhich is simply administered via the irrigation water.

The right care for a flowering amaryllis at a glance

• Warm location, does not necessarily have to be bright.
• Forcing tends to be warmer than during flowering to shorten flowering time and extend flowering time.
• Protect from temperatures below 15 ° C (drafts, during transport).
• Only give small amounts of water when the substrate dries out in order to avoid waterlogging.
• Fertilize between April and August.

Amaryllis: life after flowering

Once the amaryllis has faded, it shouldn't have to leave its place forever. It can easily be brought to bloom in the next winter with relatively little maintenance. After flowering, the faded inflorescences are cut off. If there is no longer any threat of frost, the amaryllis plant can even be planted in the bed. The main growing season is up to August, when the amaryllis has the highest water and nutrient requirements. Therefore, it must then be fertilized regularly (every one to two weeks).

The rest period begins at the end of August. The fertilization is stopped and the watering is reduced. After the foliage has dried, this is cut off. Ultimately, the onion must be protected from the first early frosts. Therefore it is planted again in fresh substrate in a pot and put in a cool place for ten to 12 weeks. Then the game starts all over again in December and the amaryllis is put inside the house in a warm place. The forcing has started and after a few weeks the first flowers will be visible.

If one amaryllis is not enough for you, there are several ways to propagate it. Here you will find all the information you need about the Propagation of the amaryllis require.