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Old 28-06-2006, 04:17 PM posted to rec.gardens
David E. Ross
 
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Default Amaryllis bulbs, bulblets and fertilizer

Java wrote:
I really do not know if they are A. belladonna or Hippeastrum. I am
guessing Hippeastrum since they were sold under the name of Amaryllis,
not Naked Lady.

My adult plants (those I bought) are all producing blooms. However,
one has started producing a small flower along with bulblets.

I really do not know what I am doing with the bulblets or seedlings. I
accidentally pollinated one of the plants so I thought it would be
worth the experiment.

The bulblets and seedlings are not really large enough to produce good
blooms. What could be causing a few of them to be producing bulblets
themselves instead of making a larger bulb? What encourages good bulb
growth?


Bulb growth (and flowering, fruiting, and root growth) is promoted by
phosphorus. For a potted plant, use a tablespoon of bone meal for any
pot upto 12 inches. Superphosphate is likely to be too strong for the
confined roots in a flowerpot; I use superphosphate freely for plants in
the ground.

Unlike most other nutrients, phosphorus does not dissolve and travel
through the soil. It must already be where roots will find it. Thus,
it must be thoroughly mixed with the potting soil before you plant the
bulb. For an existing potted plant, add the bone meal when you repot.
For existing plants in the ground, I use a 2-foot length of rebar to
drive holes in the soil, which I then fill with superphosephate.

--
David E. Ross
Climate: California Mediterranean
Sunset Zone: 21 -- interior Santa Monica Mountains with some ocean
influence (USDA 10a, very close to Sunset Zone 19)
Gardening pages at http://www.rossde.com/garden/