Wintering amaryllis: prepare and store the bulb correctly
The main attraction of amaryllis is its huge inflorescences. But often novice flower growers who first planted this plant and water it all year round, after a few years wonder why amaryllis flowers crushed or he completely stopped blooming. And the reason for this behavior of the flower is that it is not allowed to rest. Amaryllis is one of those indoor plants that need a dormant period. If you give the plant rest to recuperate, it will still delight you with its flowering.
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What does rest mean for amaryllis?
Amaryllis has a very interesting life cycle:
- The bulbs germinate first (they have light plump roots on the bottom).
- Then a powerful peduncle begins to emerge from the top of the bulb.
- When it stretches to the required height, the inflorescences open (usually not all at once, but in turn).
- After the end of flowering, active growth of leaves begins.
- With the onset of autumn and before the beginning of spring, the bulbs should rest before the next flowering.
During the period of active growth, which lasts until autumn, it is better to plant amaryllis in the garden. According to the observations of gardeners who practice this method, the bulbs growing in the open field are larger than those that were left in the pot, which means they have more nutrients.
Thus, a dormant period is necessary for the plant so that the bulbs can recover from such intense work as flowering and foliage growth. If such an opportunity is not provided to her, amaryllis will continue to grow and form new leaves, but a weakened bulb is unlikely to be able to bloom in a year or two.
How to prepare an onion for rest?
Preparation of amaryllis for wintering should begin with the cessation of watering (gradual). In addition, the pot must be moved to a dark place. In the absence of watering and light, new roots and leaves will cease to form, and the deciduous cap will gradually fade.
When this happens, the bulb must be removed from the flowerpot, cleaned of soil and cut the roots. Then rinse in potassium permanganate and dry.
Where to store the bulb in winter?
Bulbs should overwinter in a dark, cool place, but this is not easy to find in an apartment. The balcony is not very suitable for wintering, especially open, because there the bulb will freeze and die.
The best option is storage on the bottom shelf in the refrigerator. The condition of the bulbs should be checked every two weeks. If there is no free space there, then you can simply leave the onion in the flowerpot.
Before placing the onion in the refrigerator, it should be wrapped in a tissue or toilet paper.
In mid-February, amaryllis must be removed from the refrigerator and put on forcing.