Plant profile:
- Botanical name: Amaryllis, Hippeastrum
- Order: Asparagales (asparagus-like)
- Family: Amaryllidaceae
- Genus: Amaryllis
- Habit: Persistent herbaceous bulbous plant.
- Growth height: 50 to 100 centimeters high.
- Main flowering time: November to March.
- Leaf: belt-shaped, basal, dark green colored.
- Blossom: The plant bears two to four large, horizontally protruding, slightly hanging flowers that can be up to thirty centimeters tall per flower stem.
- Flower shape: exotic looking, funnel-shaped.
- Flower color: from white to pink to strong red. Multi-colored flowers possible.
Particularities:
The name Amaryllis is the common name for the knight star. However, the real amaryllis blooms in the summer months. This bulb flower is also known as the Belladonna lily and came in the middle of the 18th century. Century from the south of Africa to our latitudes.
also read
- What temperature favors the flowering of an amaryllis?
- How should the location for an amaryllis be?
- Amaryllis scores with flexible planting time - this is how you control the start of the flowering period
The knight stars cultivated on the windowsill in the winter months, on the other hand, were not used until later Discovered South America and, because of the optical similarity, initially also of the genus Amaryllis assigned. Since 1987 they have been considered a separate plant genus with around 70 species and over 600 cultivated forms. The attractive plant is still sold under the name Amaryllis.
origin
The wild amaryllis species come from Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina. The knight star is common in southern Africa.
Location and care
The amaryllis has three growth phases in which it makes very different demands on the location. During the summer months, the onion sprouts again. She then prefers a partially shaded or shady place where the temperature is between 24 and 26 degrees.
The amaryllis takes a break in autumn. It should then be kept cool and darker, for example in the cellar. About 16 degrees is optimal.
The subsequent flowering period falls in the winter months. Unfortunately, the exotic plant fades quickly in warm living spaces. So that the bloom lasts as long as possible, you should place the knight's star in a bright and cool place. Daytime temperatures of around 20 degrees, which drop to 16 degrees at night, are ideal.
Once the amaryllis has bloomed, it needs a cold place where the temperature does not drop below ten degrees. The leaves should stay on the onion until they have dried up.
Substrate
Conventional houseplant soil works well. You can do this with something Clay granules mix, as the amaryllis prefers very well drained soils.
Watering and fertilizing
During the growth and flowering phase, you should water the knight star regularly. It has proven useful to pour over the coaster. In this way, the amaryllis can get exactly the amount of water it needs and the ball of the pot does not get too wet.
When the flower begins to wither, fertilization is applied for the first time. Then add commercially available liquid fertilizer to the irrigation water on a monthly basis. During the main growing season from April fertilize Every 14 days. From August you stop the fertilization.
Repot
About two months before the desired flowering date, place the onion in a new container if necessary. Alternatively, you can remove the top layer of the substrate and replace it with fresh Potting soil substitute.
Diseases and pests
The amaryllis is quite hardy. Occasionally "red burner" occurs, a fungus that is triggered by mite infestation. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this disease. Dispose of infected plants immediately with household waste.
The occasional thrips and mites can be combated well with pesticides.
Tips
The knight star is very poisonous in all parts. The highest concentration is found in the storage tissue of the onions. Therefore, the amaryllis should not be placed within the reach of children or pets.
