Amaralaceous flowers: transplant and care at home. Amaryllis flowers (photo)

The plant amaryllis (sometimes called amaralis) can be purchased both in the form of separate bulbs, and already planted in a pot. His flower gardeners appreciate the exotic tubular shape. The height of peduncles reaches 60 cm, on each usually 2-4 buds. Bulbs are planted in the garden or used as indoor plants. They are able to bloom to 75 years. Amaryllis is from Peru and South Africa, the name comes from the Greek word amarysso - "glitter". Bulbs were brought to Europe in the 1700s. Amaryllis is sometimes confused with the lily of Belladonna, which is known to be poisonous.

Today, most of these bulbous - hybrids, but they still refer to the genus Hippeastrum. The size of the amaryllis flowers varies from 10 to 25 cm in diameter. They can be single or double. The most common colors are red and white. There are buds of pink, salmon, apricot, rich burgundy shade. Some varieties are bicolored or with a strip on the edge of the petals. Information on how the flowers of the family Amaryllis, there are photos with names of varieties can be viewed on the websites of companies that sell these plants.

How to choose an onion

Amaryllis bulbs come in various sizes. If you want to purchase it for planting in a pot, you should know that the size and condition of the rhizome will affect the abundance of flowering. Often, amaryllis are sold loose, because they can be carefully inspected. It is worth paying special attention to the red spots under the scales. Their presence suggests that the plant is infected with an infectious disease - stagosphere or red burn. From him most often suffer bulbs of Dutch production. This is due to improper transportation and violation of storage conditions. It will not be easy to get rid of the problem: regular plant dressing in contact fungicides will be required, for example, in the preparation "Maxim". But even this does not guarantee getting rid of the infection. Amaryllis flowers in the photo may look very bright, but not always the picture corresponds to the real varietal qualities of the plant.

Bulb sizes increase with age, which affects blossoming, but all seedlings are the same on sale. When buying a plant with hands, it is worth choosing the largest, then the buds will be larger. In the store should choose healthy plants without rot, dry or damp spots, mold. Bulbs should be firm and dry. Give preference to those who have bright green leaves, there is no visible damage. Some plants may have a branch on the ground. This is a baby that will grow into a new bulb. It can be separated and planted in a separate pot.

Amaryllis planting

Amaryllis, home care after which begins with the right choice of pot, will require a narrow capacity. Containers can be made of plastic, metal, ceramic or clay. You should choose a pot, in the bottom of which there are one or more holes. This will protect the rootlets from excess moisture and decay. Good drainage will minimize the risk of fungal and root rot. The diameter of the container should be about 3 cm larger than the widest part of the bulb, and twice as large as it is, so that there is free space for the development of the root system. Approximately half the pot should be filled with a sterile fresh soil with a high content of organic substances (eg peat). Place the bulb in a pot so that the roots are on the soil. Bulbs should rise above the edge of the container. Then you need to add a substrate, ramming it around the plant, 1/3 part of the bulb should be visible. Set the pot better in the sink, where it can freely drain water. The next stage is the abundant watering of the soil around the flower. After the excess liquid is dissolved, the pot should be placed on a pallet and placed on a window where there is a lot of sunlight.

Care for bulbs

Amaryllis, care at home for which consists in regular watering and top dressing, does not require large amounts of moisture. To water a plant it is necessary only when the top layer of soil completely will dry up. Excess moisture must necessarily drain into the pan. Do not flood the plant: excessively moist soil can contribute to the appearance of root rot and attract pests. Feed the amaryllis every time you water. Amaryllis flowers, care Which are important at any time of the year, prefer mineral fertilizers. For abundant flowering, it is desirable to use a composition for indoor plants with a high phosphorus content. To care for amaryllis at home, you need to properly choose top dressing. Experts recommend to study the instructions on packages with the drug - on tanks with mineral fertilizers there are always three numbers, for example, 10-20-15. They show the percentage of fertilizers in each of the three important macroelements for plant growth: N (nitrogen) -P (phosphorus) -K (potassium). In this example fertilizer contains 10% nitrogen, 20% phosphorus and 15% potassium.

Care after flowering

The flowers of the Amaryllis family have been growing for many years. How to care for the amaryllis after flowering? To save plants, you need to give them a break after a phase of active development. Once they have finished blooming, it is worth moving the bulbs away from direct sunlight. Do not remove the peduncles until they are completely yellow. Their green stem will continue photosynthesis, which creates energy in the bulb for future growth of leaves and flowers. Care for amaryllis, whose flowers are withered, is to prune the peduncle. This will prevent the formation of seeds. The formation of ovaries will deplete important energy reserves in the amaryllis and adversely affect the subsequent flowering.

If the plant does not increase the stem for subsequent flowering, it is likely that it has not yet accumulated enough nutrients. After a rest period, it is necessary to place the flower on the lightest window sill in the room. Amaryllis will continue to build long, smooth leaves. They will contribute to photosynthesis. It is important to continue to feed the plant with a universal fertilizer for indoor plants, monitor its health, provide watering. Then it must bloom at the end of the season.

Growing of amaryllis in open ground

When all the danger of recurrent frosts has passed, you can begin to prepare the amaryllis for planting in the open ground. To begin with it is worth placing it in the shade or in a place where there is no direct sunlight. Plants should get used to the new climate and conditions. Later the container can be moved to a greenhouse or to a flower bed where the flower will be under direct sunlight for at least 6 hours daily. It is not necessary to remove the flower from the pot if there are drainage holes in the container. If there is no suitable container, it is better to plant the bulb directly into the ground, leaving a third of it above the ground, like when planted in a pot. To create a supply of nutrients for abundant flowering next year will allow monthly fertilizer compositions for indoor plants. Until the first autumn frosts, it is necessary to bring an amaryllis into the room, because it will not survive the cold weather!

Control of flowering

Unlike some other bulbous plants, amaryllis does not require a rest period. They will bloom again if you just let them grow. However, the flowering time can be adjusted, allowing the bulbs to hibernate for a certain time. During this period of rest, plants practically do not spend their energy reserves. To do this, the amaryllis is stored in pots, in a cool dry and dark place, for example, in a cellar or cellar. The temperature in the room should be about + 10 ° C. It is necessary to wait until the leaves turn brown and dry, and then cut them off. For 8-12 weeks, you need to leave bulbs in the dark, without watering, while not taking them out of the pot.

Periodically you can inspect the flowers, checking to see if the fungus or mold has appeared. At the first signs of the disease, it is recommended to remove the bulbs from the soil and treat them with a fungicide. If during this time there is a new growth, the bulb should be rearranged from a dark place on a solar window, cut off dying leaves, watered and fertilized as usual. If after 8-12 weeks no traces of new growth have appeared, it is time to remove the house bulbs from the cellar and place it on the sunny windowsill. Sharp change of conditions will cause plants to bloom. Usually one or several flower stems appear until green, but occasionally they are preceded by leaves. Flowers usually develop about 4-6 weeks.

Amaralaceous flowers: transplant

Amaryllis blooms best when it is in a container with a little extra space. Therefore, the plant needs to update the soil every 3-4 years. If it develops faster, it should be done more often. The best time for transplanting amaralis flowers comes after they have passed a period of rest. When a bulb grows in the same pot for several years, the roots can stick to the inside of the container. Then you have to cut out the plant, separating it with an acute knife. They need to be carried along the inside of the container.

How to transplant amaralic flowers? The transplantation begins by drawing the plant from the container. Then you need to shake the ground a little from the earthen coma to add more nutrient soil to the new pot. It is important to act carefully so as not to damage the root system. However, it is not advisable to seriously disturb an earth clod. For planting, use only sterile soil and clean container. Amaralaceous flowers, the transplantation of which was correct, are actively growing and developing. If on the bulb there are stains of decay, cut them with a sharp knife, sprinkle the cut with activated charcoal or cinnamon and dry for a few days. It is useful to soak such plants in fungicides. Then - mandatory drying and transplanting in a new soil. If babies were formed, they also need to be separated during transplantation so that they do not take away the strength from the mother plant. Place joints should also be sprinkled with activated charcoal.

Pests and diseases

There are several insects, mites and diseases that can attack the amaryllis in the greenhouse. But in the room they are not so common. A careful examination when buying bulbs, accompanied by proper care, will avoid the attack of most pests, as well as the spread of diseases. Some flying insects, for example, a large daffodil fly - Merodon equestris, can lay their eggs in amaryllis bulbs that are outdoors during the summer. The larva of this pest feeds first by external scales, and then paves its way into the inside of the bulb. Leaves of infected plants can begin to fade, turn yellow, and eventually the plant will die.

The disease becomes noticeable during transplantation: amaraline flowers, photos of which some flower growers place on the Internet, outside can look healthy. But with pressure, the rotting of tissues becomes immediately noticeable. The use of insecticides in this case is ineffective. Sometimes it is better to destroy all infected bulbs as soon as it became clear that they are infected, otherwise the infection will spread to other plants.

Poorly drained soil or soil that is permanently wet can attract fungal mosquitoes, which are one of the species of fruit fly. It is almost impossible to get rid of them with chemical or folk remedies. It is necessary to dry the soil, remove the top layer of soil, add new clean earth, and then adjust the watering.

Red burn - the most common disease of the Amaryllis

The red burn mentioned above is a disease that can affect both appearance and health of plants. But this infection is not fatal. Red spots or patches, which turn into elongated ulcers with a red border, can appear on peduncles, onions and on new leaves. The disease is often difficult to diagnose, as superficial small red or pink spots may be absent on the outside of the plant. Because of the infection, the leaves can change shape, and the peduncles - it is easy to break, which makes the plants not too attractive externally.

How to avoid red burns

Get rid of this infection is difficult, because it is desirable to immediately buy healthy bulbs.

Prevention of the disease:

1. Before buying, you need to carefully inspect the amaryllis. Do not buy damaged bulbs.
2. Cultivation of bulbs should be carried out in clean containers with sterile soil.
3. All tools used when working with infected plants must be wiped with alcohol.
4. Plants are important to ensure proper care. If the disease persists, the bulbs should be treated regularly with a systemic fungicide.

Proper care, attention to the plant and timely control of pests and diseases - a pledge of long and abundant flowering amaryllis.