Amaryllis Belladonna – Tropical Flowering Bulbs
Amaryllis Belladonna (also called Apple Blossom Flower and Belladonna
Lily) is one of the most beautiful flowering bulbs, and is known for
its vibrantly colored trumpet-shaped flowers.
The Amaryllis Belladonna belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family, is
native to South Africa, and grows in tropical and subtropical areas
(USDA zones 10-11).
Amaryllis plants grow from 12 to 24 inches tall. Bulbs typically
produce 2 to 3 flowering stalks. Their leaves are strap-shaped, 1 ½
inches wide, eighteen inches long and dark green in color.
Their large, trumpet-shaped flowers range in color from elegant white
to scarlet red. Some varieties produce blooms with an exotic, striped
appearance.
Potted Amaryllis bulbs are a popular holiday gift and houseplant
because they are inexpensive, easy to grow indoors, and are available
in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes.
Amaryllis
Care - Indoors
You can buy Amaryllis bulbs from online or mail order bulb suppliers,
or at your local nursery or garden center. They are available in
pre-packaged kits (ideal for gift-giving), or you can purchase
individual bulbs.
Flowers are available in a variety of sizes and exotic colors, such as
bold red, elegant white, and exotic pink.
How to Pot Amaryllis Bulbs
- Choose a sturdy container; flower stalks will get top heavy
when
flowers are in bloom. As an additional precaution, you can add a layer
of small rocks or gravel to the bottom of the pot to add extra weight.
The pot should allow for a space of approximately 2 to three inches
between the bulb and the side of the pot.
- If you haven’t already, cover the drainage hole in the
bottom of the
pot with pebbles, gravel, or pieces of broken pottery. This will allow
for adequate drainage when watering the bulb.
- Fill the pot with several inches of potting soil. If you’d
like you can
use two parts packaged potting soil, one part perlite, and add one
tablespoon of slow-release fertilizer.
- Place the bulb in the center of the container. Gently press
the soil
around the roots and bottom of the bulb.
- Fill the container with potting soil (or prepared mixture)
allowing ½
to 1/3 of the amaryllis bulb to remain above the soil.
- Water the soil thoroughly after planting the bulb. Water
should run
through the drainage hole.
- Place the newly potted bulb in a bright, cool room (55-65°
F).
- Water when the top of the soil feels dry to the touch.
Over-watering
can cause the bulb to rot.
- When the bulb begins to sprout, move the pot to a location
that
receives a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight, and maintains a
temperature of 68 to 77° F.
- Use a bamboo stake and raffia to support the flower stalk
if it appears
to be top heavy as Amaryllis flowers bloom.
- Once flowers bloom fully, move the pot to a location that
receives
bright, indirect light.
Note:
Amaryllis Belladonna flowers will begin to bloom in about 7 – 10
weeks. Blooms will last approximately two weeks.
Tips for Amaryllis Care
When Flowers Begin to Fade
- Remove flowers when blooms wither. Use a sharp razor blade
or knife.
Only cut off the flower, not the stalk or foliage.
- As the stalk turns yellow, cut it off at the tip of the
bulb. Do not
touch the leaves or bulb.
- Place pot in a sunny location. Feed and water as needed. A
houseplant
fertilizer at half the strength every two weeks should be sufficient.
- As bulb grows, repot if necessary.
- The pot can be moved outdoors to a sunny location during
the summer
months. Keep soil moist, but not soggy. Continue to fertilize the bulb
through the beginning of August.
- If you live in a location prone to frost, bring the pot
indoors and
place in a sunny location. Remember to keep the soil moist.
- Blooms may begin to appear as early as January, or as late
as March.
- After the Amaryllis bulb flowers, place in a sunny window,
or it can be
placed outdoors again.
Note:
Amaryllis Belladonna can be propagated from “mini bulbs” that are
off-sets from the “mother bulb”. This process could take up to 2-3
years.
Amaryllis Flowers for Sale
