What care points should be noted during the dormancy period of Hippeastrum?
Hippeastrum is a perennial bulbous flower that blooms in spring, grows in summer and autumn, and its bulbs enter dormancy in winter. To encourage bulb sprouting and early flowering, during its dormancy period note the following:
(1) Temperature control
Potted plants should be moved indoors to overwinter, and the leaves cut off. Room temperature should be kept at 5-10°C. If the temperature is below 5°C, the bulbs are prone to cold damage, while above 10°C flowering will be affected. For open-ground cultivation, cold protection measures should be taken before frost; the bulbs can also be dug up, dried, and stored indoors in a ventilated place at the same room temperature as above.
(2) Moisture control
During dormancy, water sparingly, just enough to keep the bulbs from shriveling. For those moved indoors to overwinter, pay attention to air circulation and keep them dry. In early January, water thoroughly once to break dormancy; after sprouting, repot or replace the soil promptly.
After Hippeastrum flowers fade, cut off the flower stalks promptly. This is because this post-flowering stage is mainly for nurturing the bulb, allowing it to fully absorb nutrients, enlarge, and produce new bulbs; cutting off the flower stalks concentrates the nutrients on nurturing the bulb. For post-flowering management, besides appropriately reducing the amount of watering, also note that the potting soil must not become waterlogged, to avoid rotting the bulb. After flowering, still apply cake fertilizer water once about every 20 days to promote bulb enlargement and the sprouting of new bulbs, until after November when the plants are moved into a greenhouse; only then can fertilizing stop and watering be controlled, keeping the bulb from drying out.
Care measures for Hippeastrum during dormancy
Hippeastrum, also known as amaryllis, lily-of-the-palace, and trumpet flower, with aliases such as column-top red, Huazhou orchid, amaryllis, and duitou lotus. It is a perennial herbaceous plant with bulbs in the Amaryllidaceae family, Hippeastrum genus. After Hippeastrum flowers fade, cut off the flower stalks promptly. This is because this post-flowering stage is mainly for nurturing the bulb, allowing it to fully absorb nutrients, enlarge, and produce new bulbs; cutting off the flower stalks concentrates the nutrients on nurturing the bulb. For post-flowering management, besides appropriately reducing the amount of watering, also note that the potting soil must not become waterlogged, to avoid rotting the bulb. After flowering, still apply cake fertilizer water once about every 20 days to promote bulb enlargement and the sprouting of new bulbs, until after November when the plants are moved into a greenhouse; only then can fertilizing stop and watering be controlled, keeping the bulb from drying out.Hippeastrum bulbs are dormant in winter, with a dormancy period of about 60 days. If cared for well during dormancy, they can sprout and bloom again the following year. During the dormancy period of Hippeastrum, note the following issues:
(1) Strictly control watering. As mentioned in the previous section, when overwintering, the amount of water should be at least enough to keep the bulbs from shriveling; otherwise the bulbs are prone to deteriorating.
(2) Strictly control room temperature. That is, keep the indoor temperature at around 10°C. Below 5°C the bulbs are prone to freezing, and above 15°C dormancy is hindered, affecting flowering the following year.
(3) Small bulbs separated out from the potting soil can be stored indoors in sandy soil with a moisture content of about 10%.
By late December or early January, water thoroughly once in the pot to awaken them from dormancy. After a week, apply once a dilute superphosphate liquid fertilizer. At this time the room temperature can be raised to around 16°C. This will promote sprouting and earlier flowering.
Note after flowering: After Hippeastrum blooms, the above-ground part sets seed while the underground part grows bulbs. To make the bulbs plump and robust and the seeds full, note the following during care at this time:
(1) Fertilizing. After flowering, continue applying liquid fertilizer 1-2 times. A compound fertilizer is best, or apply additional phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, which benefits bulb and seed growth.
(2) Water. Frequent watering is not needed; the substrate is better kept on the dry side.
(3) After flowering, potted Hippeastrum should be moved to a semi-shaded, well-ventilated, cool environment for care. Disease prevention and control
The main diseases are viral disease, leaf spot disease, and nematode disease. Leaf spot damages leaves, flowers, scapes, and bulbs, causing round or spindle-shaped reddish-brown spots, especially prevalent in autumn. Remove diseased leaves; before planting, soak the bulbs in 0.5% formalin solution for 2 hours, and spray equal-amount Bordeaux mixture regularly in spring. Viral disease causes Hippeastrum roots and leaves to rot, and can be sprayed with 75% chlorothalonil wettable powder at 700 times dilution. Nematodes mainly invade through the stomata on leaves and flower stems; after invasion they cause disease in leaves and stems and gradually spread toward the bulbs. The bulbs need to be soaked in 43°C warm water with 0.5% formalin for 3-4 hours to achieve control. Among pests, red spider mites are harmful and can be killed by spraying 40% dicofol emulsifiable concentrate at 1000 times dilution.
How to care for Hippeastrum during dormancy
Hippeastrum (scientific name: Hippeastrum rutilum), also known as red-flower lotus (Flora Hainanica), Huazhou orchid (Flora of North China Economic Plants), line-striped Huazhou, baizhi lotus, column-top red, Hippeastrum lily, amaryllis, Huazhou orchid, agapanthus, baizhi lotus, duihong, duiduihong, etc. It is a perennial herb of the Hippeastrum genus in the Amaryllidaceae family. Hippeastrum bulbs are dormant in winter, with a dormancy period of about 60 days. If cared for well during dormancy, they can sprout and bloom again the following year.During the dormancy period of Hippeastrum, note the following issues:
(1) Strictly control watering. As mentioned in the previous section, when overwintering, the amount of water should be as little as just enough to keep the bulbs from shriveling; otherwise the bulbs are prone to deteriorating; (2) Strictly control room temperature. That is, keep the indoor temperature at around 10°C. Below 5°C the bulbs are prone to freezing, and above 15°C dormancy is hindered, affecting flowering the following year; (3) Small bulbs separated out from the potting soil can be stored indoors in sandy soil with a moisture content of about 10%.
By late December or early January, water thoroughly once in the pot to awaken them from dormancy. After a week, apply once a dilute superphosphate liquid fertilizer. At this time the room temperature can be raised to around 16°C. This will promote sprouting and earlier flowering.