Amaryllis care features: leaf pruning
I bought amaryllis in the store in the form of an onion and an earth tablet, I did everything according to the instructions. The flower grew long leaves, and it bloomed in the third year. One arrow with amazing colors. And his leaves do not dry out. And now it is blooming again, released the second arrow, threw out another leaf and the old ones do not dry. Do I need to do something with old leaves? or let the flower live as it wants and not get into its life? It's just that he's so beautiful that it would be a pity if he died. Thank you for your reply.
At home, from the Amaryllis family, only one type of plant is grown - Amaryllis belladonna (or beauty). This is a very thermophilic bulbous plant that does not tolerate low temperatures, therefore it grows exclusively in an apartment. Other hybrid varieties amaryllis (photo) called hippeastrum, they can be planted in open ground. Both varieties are quite similar to each other, and sometimes it is very difficult to distinguish between them. The main differences between plants are in their appearance and characteristic features of flowering.
Features of amaryllis
A characteristic feature of amaryllis is that after the end of the dormant period, the plant first throws out a peduncle, and the leaves themselves appear later, when the flowers bloom. Leaves are fully formed only after the inflorescences dry.
In addition, amaryllis has the following characteristics:
- The bulb is shaped like a pear.
- The plant blooms exclusively in autumn.
- During flowering, it releases a long peduncle, to which large flowers of various colors are attached. Amaryllis flowers rarely exceed 10 cm in diameter.
- The peduncle is dense, can have up to 12 buds, which exude a sweet aroma.
- Many small babies form near the mother's bulb.
In order for amaryllis to please with its flowers every year, the flowering period must necessarily be replaced by a dormant period. During this time, the plant will rest and recuperate before the next season.
Read also the article:hippeastrum - home care!
Pruning leaves: to do or not?
After the amaryllis has faded, its peduncle dries up. The leaves may remain green for some time; you do not need to trim them. It is better to feed the plant a few more times, and gradually begin to prepare it for the dormant period.
To do this, gradually reduce watering from August, and after a couple of months, take the pot to a cool room (at least 10 degrees Celsius) and do not water at all. Thus, over time, the leaves will also wither themselves, and then they can be cut off and sent to storage.
If watering continues, accordingly, the leaves will remain green. In the presence of at least one "live" leaf, the dormant period of the flower will not come.
Thus, the presence of green leaves in a plant after flowering may indicate that it is hybrid variety or skipping a rest period. Of course, it is really a pity to cut the flower now, and even blooming. The author should allow the amaryllis to bloom, and then transfer it to rest.
In the case when the plant is not allowed to rest, constantly watering, over time, the bulb will be depleted and the flower may die completely.
On this topic: amaryllis home care!