GardenBanter.co.uk - View Single Post

David E. Ross · 17-03-2007, 05:46 PM posted to rec.gardens

wrote:
Is this Amaryllis belladonna (common names: "naked lady", "belladonna
lily")? Or is this from the genus Hippeastrum (common names:
"amaryllis", "oxblood lily" (red varieties))? See my
http://www.rossde.com/garden/garden_hippeastrum.html for the
differeces between the two.

I would say it is Genus Hippeastrum.

Tom

Hippeastrum is supposed to be evergreen, not going dormant in the
winter. During a severe winter, however, Hippeastrum might become
leafless. I have three potted Hippeastrum on my patio, all of which
were hit hard by the record-breaking cold we had in January where I
live. Not only did they all lose their leaves; for a while, I thought
one or more was actually dead.

This morning, I checked my garden before breakfast. Two of the
Hippeastrum now have a good growth of new leaves. The third has the
start of new leaves, but it also has the start of a flower stalk almost
as high as the leaves.

The interesting thing about Hippeastrum is that it might bloom at any
time except winter. (It can also be forced to bloom in the winter if
indoors.) Some of mine -- all the same variety -- bloom two or even
three times between early spring and mid-fall. This is most likely to
happen with those bulbs that remain in leaf through the winter.

Don't worry if the flower appears before there is a full growth of
leaves. Just keep the bulb moist but not wet. Feed it lightly but
frequently.

Do not force dormancy at the end of the growing season. If it goes
dormant anyway, stop feeding; but still keep it somewhat moist because
the roots will still be alive.

--
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/