Hippeastrum has only produced leaves. Home phytodesign of the highest class

Blooming hippeastrum fascinates with its beauty. Only once a year he pleases us with huge star flowers. And what a disappointment it can be when the long-awaited flower does not appear, or the plant begins to fade altogether. To avoid such troubles and be able to enjoy the contemplation of this miracle flower, you need to know some secrets of care and stick to them. The grateful plant will certainly please the eye with generous flowering.

Description of hippeastrum

Appearance

Hippeastrum (lat. Hippeastrum) is a perennial bulbous plant. The leaves are linear, shiny leaves, 50–70 cm long, 4–5 cm wide, and have shallow grooves on the surface. The leaves are arranged in two rows. During the flowering period, the plant produces a powerful, tall (up to 60–80 cm) peduncle.

The name of the flower is translated from ancient Greek as “star horseman”.

Hippeastrum during flowering is a source of pride and admiration

The flowers are funnel-shaped. Their color range is quite wide: red, white, orange, pink, purple, sometimes yellow or greenish shades. The main tone can be supplemented with strokes or specks.

The flowers are large - up to 20 cm in diameter, collected in an umbrella inflorescence. Hippeastrum has a very faint odor. Some species have no smell at all. This is a great advantage for people prone to allergic reactions.

Hippeastrum flowering - video

Natural habitat and home maintenance

The homeland of hippeastrum is the American tropics and subtropics, in particular the Amazon basin. It was brought to Europe in the 16th century and quickly gained admirers around the world. In 1799, the first hybrid Hippeastrum Johnson was bred. Today these flowers are widely used as a houseplant and are also grown for cutting. Hippeastrums are not particularly difficult to care for. Even novice gardeners can easily cope with this task.

Variety of hippeastrum varieties

This plant belongs to the Amaryllis family and has about 90 species and more than 2 thousand varieties.

IN indoor floriculture The most commonly cultivated plant is hippeastrum hybrida. The classification of varietal hippeastrums is based on two characteristics: flower size and shape. Depending on this, plants are conventionally divided into 9 groups, which are indicated in the table.

The most popular groups and varieties of hippeastrum - table

Magnificent hippeastrums in the photo

Simple large-flowered hippeastrum with rim Simple large-flowered hippeastrum striped Simple medium-flowered hippeastrum Simple medium-flowered hippeastrum with figured edge Simple small-flowered hippeastrum "Star" splendor Charming bouquet Double-flowered hippeastrum Double large-flowered hippeastrum Sibistr Orchid hippeastrum Orchid Hippeastrum

Similarities and differences with amaryllis

Amaryllis is often classified as a hippeastrum variety, but this is erroneous.

Drainage - required condition to prevent excessive soil moisture and rotting of the bulb and roots

The bulb is planted in a slightly moist soil mixture, deepening it to a maximum of 2/3 of the height.

A narrow pot and shallow planting help create optimal conditions for hippeastrum

After planting, the plant only needs warmth. There is no need to water the hippeastrum until sprouts appear.

If any damage is noticed on the bulb, it must first be healed. This procedure includes trimming the rotten parts, soaking for 30 minutes in a fungicide solution (Fundazol, Maxim) or ordinary brilliant green and drying for 24 hours.

Such a bulb must be planted in soil where humus is replaced with a small amount of sphagnum (peat moss).

It is advisable to bury the reanimated bulb into the soil to no more than 1/4 of its height. With such planting, it is easier to control its condition and, if necessary, carry out spraying. After the bulb has recovered, it is easy to add soil mixture to the usual level.

Having planted the plant in moist soil, place it in a warm, slightly shaded place (you can cover it with an empty pot) and exclude watering until the peduncle is forced to a height of 10 cm.

The optimal frequency of hippeastrum transplantation is once every 3–4 years. A favorable time is the threshold of the rest period or its end. It is advisable to use the transshipment method when replanting - moving the plant along with the earthen lump. In this case, the root system is minimally damaged, which contributes to the rapid rooting of the bulb and its active development.

Transshipment method - a method of transplantation with minimal damage to the root system

Basic rules for caring for hippeastrum

Watering and fertilizing

As discussed above, the intensity of watering of hippeastrum is directly related to its life cycle. However, it is important to provide the plant not only required amount moisture, but also correctly deliver it to the root system.

For example, it is not recommended to pour water on the onion - it may rot. It is better to combine top watering with tray watering. This way the moisture will be evenly distributed throughout the earthen ball, which will prevent rotting of the roots. The main rule for watering hippeastrum: it is better to underwater than to overwater. You also need to regularly wipe the leaves from dust or wash them warm water.

During the growth of the peduncle, when it reaches a height of 12–15 cm, it is useful to water the soil with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. 5-6 days after this, you need to feed the plant with phosphorus fertilizer.

Hippeastrum is fertilized regularly, at the beginning of the growing season - once every two weeks with liquid nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (7:3:6) fertilizer (for deciduous plants). After the leaves appear, to stimulate the active formation of buds, hippeastrum requires less nitrogen and much more potassium, so the ratio of mineral components changes to 4:6:12 (for flowering plants). The frequency of feeding is maintained.

A month before the onset of the dormant period, hippeastrum needs fertilizers with a small amount of nitrogen and phosphorus and a large amount of potassium (4: 4: 12).

Carefully read the directions for applying fertilizers on the packaging and do not exceed the specified concentration of minerals. Otherwise you may get burned root system plants.

Timely balanced feeding promotes high-quality flowering and growth of foliage mass. The bases of the leaves form the scales of the bulb and it increases in size. With insufficient nutrition or complete absence of fertilizing, the bulb will use nutrients accumulated from the leaves, but they are not enough to ensure flowering.

Some secrets of flowering

Sometimes hippeastrum disappoints gardeners by refusing to bloom. Why? There may be several reasons:

1. Most often, the plant does not throw out a peduncle due to exhaustion of the bulb. Hippeastrum requires a significant amount for flowering nutrients. It is not surprising that the soil in the pot quickly becomes depleted. To avoid such problems, it is necessary to fertilize regularly and in sufficient quantities.
2. A plant affected by pests (spider mites, scale insects or scale insects) tries to fight them and does not have the strength to flower.
3. Hippeastrum does not bloom even when the bulb rots, which occurs due to waterlogging of the soil.

To admire from year to year blooming hippeastrum, such situations should not be allowed. It is also useful to know some tricks of experienced gardeners to ensure 100% flowering of this plant:

• treating the bulb before planting with hot (43–45 ºC) water for three hours will cause the plant to bloom in three weeks;
• if you stop watering in August, move the plant to a dark, dry place and keep it there until the end of January, and then resume watering, the flowers will delight you in 1.5 months;
• If you cut off all the leaves in July and do not water the hippeastrum for a month, and introduce a liquid complex fertilizer with the first watering, the flowers will bloom in August or September.

To avoid burning the roots, fertilizer should be applied only after preliminary moistening of the soil.

Immediately after flowering, it is necessary to cut off the withered peduncle, continuing to water and fertilize. And prepare the plant for good rest(rest period). The next flowering directly depends on this.

Rest period

The natural dormant period of the hippeastrum lasts quite a long time: from September to January. If your plant grew on outdoors, by the beginning of autumn it must be brought into the house and gradually reduce watering until the leaves completely stop and dry out. You can independently trim the yellowed leaves from which the bulb has already taken nutrients.

The quality of the next flowering depends on the dormant period

After this, you should place (or place the pot with the plant on its side) in a dark and cool (5–12 ° C) room. Many gardeners keep them at more high temperature- about 17–18 °C. The soil must be lightly moistened once every 2–3 weeks to prevent the roots from drying out. It is not recommended to wet or spray the bulb.

The dormant period should last 1.5–3 months, depending on the planned time of subsequent flowering of the plant. During this time, the hippeastrum does not “show signs of life.” The development of leaves and peduncles occurs only inside the bulb.

After the rest period, it is time for the hippeastrum to wake up. Leaves and flower stalks appear on the surface of the bulb.

Simultaneous appearance of leaves and peduncle

Problems waking up after wintering

If the bulb does not wake up, you can, of course, be patient and wait for it to awaken on its own. But, as a rule, a “late” bulb will not produce full flowering.

In this case, it is worth remembering in what state the plant “retired”. After all, the peduncle is formed in the axil of every fourth leaf. If last year the green mass was not sufficiently expanded, the bulb will be weakened.

And if there were fewer than four leaves, then the hippeastrum will probably refuse to bloom in the new season. Dry content can hardly help here. It is necessary to provide very warm temperature, actively water and feed.

Care errors and their correction

Caring for hippeastrum is not very difficult, but follow the rules of watering, fertilizing and lighting at different periods life cycle plants are a must.

Common mistakes in caring for hippeastrum - table

Diseases and pests of hippeastrum

Hippeastrum is not too susceptible to disease. It is most often affected by red burn (red burn fungus or stagonosporosis), red rot and false powdery mildew. Some pests can also bother this plant: spider mites, scale insects, aphids, and scale insects. You can determine what ails a plant by its appearance.

The main diseases and pests of hippeastrum and methods of combating them - table

The most common diseases and pests of hippeastrum in the photo

A bulb affected by a red burn Leaves affected by stagonosporosis Partial damage to the bulb by red rot The root system is almost completely destroyed by red rot Leaves and peduncle affected by downy mildew Abundant spread mealybug on the leaves

Reproduction

Hippeastrums reproduce in two ways: seed and vegetative.

Seed method

The seed method is quite complex and time-consuming. Seeds are formed only 1.5–2 months after flowering. But they do not form on their own. It is necessary to artificially pollinate the pistils and stamens. The grown ovary has the appearance of a large tricuspid box.

Ripening of hippeastrum seeds

Inside the box there are rows of flattened seeds of irregular round shape. They are characterized by a black color with a brown tint and the presence of thin black wings.

Seeds ready for sowing

In spring they are planted in sandy-leaf soil. It is important to consider that freshly harvested seeds have 100% germination. As a rule, only 30% of dried seeds germinate total number. The shoots will delight you in 15–5 days.

Sprouted hippeastrum seeds

When the leaves grow to 6–10 cm, they are transplanted into pots with a diameter of 6–7 cm. At this time, the bulb grows.

Grown-up hippeastrum seedlings

The period before the first flowering of young plants different varieties ranges from two to five years. This method is more acceptable for breeders. Most amateur gardeners consider it costly and ineffective. However, there is no guarantee that the maternal characteristics of the plant will be preserved.

Vegetative method

It is much easier to propagate hippeastrum vegetative way. Several variations of it are practiced.

Reproduction by daughter bulbs

This is natural, and therefore the most optimal and simplest way. Three-year-old bulbs proper care Usually they give 3 children.

Bulb separation

They are separated with a sterile sharp instrument, treating the cuts with crushed coal. Planted in accordance with the rules for planting an adult bulb.

For two years, the newly planted plant is not deprived of foliage and is not put to rest. The growth of the bulb and the formation of a peduncle in it depends on the intensity of leaf growth. With good care, the children will throw out flower stalks in 2-3 years.

Dividing the bulb

Split onion

Division is carried out during the maximum accumulation of nutrients in the bulb - in November.

Division process algorithm:

1. Remove the top layer of soil, leaving only the bottom of the bulb in the soil.
2. Remove external dry scales.
3. Cut off the leaves along with top part bulbs.
4. Cut the onion into four equal parts to the surface of the soil.
5. Insert knitting needles with a diameter of 5–6 cm into the cuts to prevent the parts of the bulb from closing.
6. Follow all the rules for caring for an adult plant.
7. When the leaves appear, fertilize and continue fertilizing according to the standard scheme.
8. Next spring, divide the bulb and plant the parts in separate flowerpots.

You can divide the onion in another way: cut it, leaving a piece of bottom and scales in each part. It is useful to sprinkle the sections with wood or activated carbon. Plant the resulting slices in a light peat mixture.

surface planting in light substrate

After 40–50 days, babies appear and need to be planted in pots in the spring.

Attention! When planting, we must not forget about the presence of toxic substances in hippeastrum bulbs and adhere to safety rules.

Hippeastrum did not bloom this year. How and when should I organize a flower’s rest now? It has too many leaves to count, and new ones keep coming up. Then I saw that the baby had appeared - a small arrow with a leaf hatched next to the large onion. The hippeastrum grows and grows. Please tell me what to do with the flower now. I want to see it bloom too!

Hippeastrum is a very flexible plant: depending on the characteristics of care, it can even bloom twice a year. To ensure flowering, hippeastrum needs a period of rest (it should last at least 2 months). Flower growers share their experience in growing hippeastrums.

Advice from agronomist A. Kremneva: “Hippeastrum loves a sunny window; during growth it needs abundant watering and fertilizing. A pot for hippeastrum is selected with such a diameter that there is no more than 3-4 cm of free space around the bulb at the planting level. Soil mixture in the pot should be nutritious (since feeding of the hippeastrum begins from the moment of flowering, and not earlier): turf, leaf soil, peat and sand in the ratio (1: 2: 1: 1). Drainage is made at the bottom of the pot. The hippeastrum bulb is planted semi-buried: from a third to half of its upper part should protrude above the soil level. After planting the bulb, the soil is watered for better compaction, but subsequent watering until the bulb awakens should be kept to a minimum and carried out in a tray.
As the bulb awakens, watering is gradually increased, and from the moment the flower arrow of the hippeastrum extends, they begin to water it regularly, feeding the plant once a week with a solution of fertilizer for flowers. In order to prolong flowering, it is better to move the hippeastrum to a cooler place, and remove the anthers from the stamens before opening them. After flowering, the flower shoot is cut off, leaving a stump 2-3 cm high, but the plant continues to be watered and fed until the end of growth.
In autumn, the hippeastrum usually enters a period of rest. Stop feeding and reduce watering. Dead leaves are cut off. The pot with the hippeastrum bulb is placed in a cool, dark place with a temperature of about +12°C. Water the bulb occasionally and little by little in the tray to prevent both the roots from dying and the soil in the pot from becoming completely soaked. Usually in December-January the hippeastrum bulb awakens.
Once a year, the top 2-3 cm of soil in the pot should be replaced with new soil. As the bulb grows, when it becomes too crowded in the old pot, it is transplanted into a new pot (usually every 2-3 years, 30-40 days after flowering).
The daughter bulbs of the hippeastrum with the formed roots are separated from the mother bulb when the plant is transplanted. However, the baby may not be separated in order to get more flower arrows in one pot.”

Advice from florist Z.V. Lapik (Ukraine): “Once while vacationing in the south at the beginning of summer, I noticed that hippeastrums grow there right on the street. Arriving home, I took my hippeastrums out of the pots and planted them in the garden good land(leaf, humus, turf soil and sand in the proportion (1: 2: 1: 1), looked after and watered. In the fall, having dug up hippeastrum bulbs from the garden, I was surprised at how much they had grown - they didn’t even fit into their pots.
When replanting, the newborns that have developed roots in addition to leaves are planted separately from the adult bulbs. Having cut off the too long roots of large hippeastrum bulbs by 2/3, I transplant the grown and thickened bulbs into larger pots, fill them halfway with soil, and water them. Next, watering the bulbs needs to be reduced so that they go into a dormant state. After the leaves die and are removed (usually this happens in October), I put the pots with hippeastrum bulbs in a cool basement (the temperature there is about 10 degrees), rarely and little by little water them into the pan (the soil in the pot should remain dry).
All members of our family have birthdays in winter, and I always have my own flowers on hand for these dates. A month before the next holiday, I take out a new pot with hippeastrum from the basement and put it in a warm place (20-25 degrees), do not water it (until the flower arrow appears) and cover the pot with the bulb on top with another pot (the bulb needs to be dark). If you start watering the hippeastrum at this time, the leaves will develop rapidly, but there may not be any flowering. Soon the bulb awakens: the flower arrow appears, and soon the leaves follow. As soon as the arrow appears, I begin to moderately water the soil with warm water, and when the peduncle grows a little (8-10 cm), I remove the top pot-lid and put the hippeastrum in a bright place, and begin to water it abundantly. My gift is ready for the holiday. So that the hippeastrum flower does not fade longer, I remove its pistil.”

Advice from florist O.V. Korobchenko (Lugansk): “How will the spring frosts, I plant hippeastrum bulbs in a semi-shaded place in the garden (large ones separately from the children) in ridges 60 cm wide and 10 cm high. I add a little crushed polystyrene foam and wood ash (half a liter jar per square meter) to the loose nutritious soil. I make irrigation ditches around the ridges, since overhead watering can cause rotting of the hippeastrum bulbs. I place the planting holes according to a 30x30 cm pattern, bury the bulbs 2/3 into the soil, carefully straightening the tender roots. If there is no rain, I water the hippeastrums rarely (once every 10 days), but abundantly, and regularly loosen the soil. I feed the bulbs once (at the end of June-beginning of July) with complete mineral fertilizer with the addition of sodium humate (0.5 teaspoon per bucket of water).
In August I stop watering, but continue to loosen the soil.
Before the autumn frosts, I dig up hippeastrums and sort the bulbs by variety and size. I separate the baby (necessarily with roots), even the one that has not yet completely emerged from under the scales (I sprinkle the wounds with crushed charcoal). I put the babies in boxes and bring them into the room for winter rearing (I start feeding them in February).
For planting large bulbs (diameter 8 cm or more), I prepare in advance plastic bags(width 32 cm, length 27 cm); I make holes at the bottom of the bags for water drainage. I pour a mixture of crushed polystyrene foam and sand onto the bottom of the bag, then a nutrient substrate, and plant the onion in the bag, deepening it 2/3 and trying not to break off the roots. I water it abundantly so that the soil settles and place the bags in boxes; I take the boxes out shady place garden when it's warm outside. I wait until the substrate is completely dry. After this, I transfer the boxes with hippeastrum bulbs to the basement with a temperature of 10 degrees. Then I remove the dead leaves, the temperature in the basement drops to 5 degrees. I don't water the bulbs.
At the beginning of February I bring bags of bulbs into the house. When they wake up and produce flower arrows 10 cm high (2 arrows often emerge from large bulbs), I begin to water the hippeastrums with warm, settled water. 10 days after the first watering, I feed the plants on moist soil with complete mineral fertilizer with the addition of sodium humate.
With such care, for many years not a single hippeastrum got sick or died. When transplanting to prevent diseases, hippeastrum bulbs can be kept for 1-2 hours in a pink solution of potassium permanganate.

Florist O.A. Shapkina (Gorbunki, Leningrad region) grows her hippeastrums without a dormant period: all year round Keeps them in a sunny window, watering them with lukewarm water as needed. With this care, hippeastrums do not shed their leaves and bloom in spring or autumn.

“At the beginning of June, I plant my hippeastrums in the garden soil, filling the planting holes well with vermicompost and mineral water.
As a rule, hippeastrums bloom in July and early August, producing 2-3 flower shoots from each bulb.

At the beginning of September, I dig up hippeastrum bulbs and treat them against diseases with the drug "Maxim".
I dry the dug up bulbs for 2-3 weeks in a cool place in the apartment (possibly on the balcony) and put them to rest in bottom drawer refrigerator. I check the bulbs periodically.

After 2-3 months of storage, my hippeastrums again begin to produce flower arrows. I plant the bulb ready for flowering in a pot with good soil, I put it on the south window. Thus, I have blooming hippeastrums almost all winter. I water and feed faded plants. I keep it in bright light so that the hippeastrums can successfully recover by summer and bloom again in the open ground.”

A. Stupina

Ziborova E.Yu.
All about hippeastrum on the website Gardenia.ru

Growing hippeastrum at home.

Dedicated to all lovers of indoor plants and simply those who like to watch beautiful flowers. Today we will talk about a flower with the unusual name hippeastrum.

What does a houseplant look like, is the hippeastrum flower red, pink, white, where is its homeland, is it poisonous or not?

First, let's list peculiarities of this plant:

• The plant has very beautiful flowers, which are located on the arrows. Because of this, it is considered a royal flower.
• Hippeastrum grows from bulbs and is a perennial flower.
• IN South America, which is the birthplace of the plant, there are more than 80 species of flower.
• Leaves plants grow only when the hippeastrum is in bloom. The leaves are tongue-shaped and have a bright green color. The length of the leaves can be more than 50 cm.
• Bloom hippeastrum can be up to 25 cm in diameter. Has the shape of a funnel. Without smell.
• From 1 large bulb there are about 2 shoots with 2-4 flowers. The color of hippeastrum flowers can be red, pink or white. There are plants that have two colors of flowers or even striped flowers.
• Hippeastrum blooms mainly in spring or winter.
• The plant has 7 groups: Tubular, Double, Belladonna, Leopolda, Orchidaceae, Regina and Miniature hippeastrum.

The plant is poisonous, especially its bulbs. If you ingest the sap of the plant in any way, you may experience diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and kidney problems. Also make sure that animals do not try the flower or leaf for the same reason of toxicity.

Indoor flower hippeastrum: the meaning of the flower, useful and magical properties, signs

The energy that the flower shares with others is so strong that it can imbue the residents of the house and the home itself with strength. According to Feng Shui, a flower saturates people with positive energy and is able to lift their spirits with its beauty. Those who study Chinese science claim that it is the plant that blooms that brings people a positive attitude and bright emotions.

In order for a flower to spread positive energy, it is important to consider some rules:

• You need to place the flower only in a certain place in the house or apartment.
• Do not put it plant between two doors or between a window and a door. This will spoil the energy of the plant.
• You can't help but like this plant at first sight. Therefore, it is advisable to place it in the bedroom or office. This will give you confidence and strength.
• The flower is secretly called "by the power of heroes", making it great for people who need a boost of energy and a sense of determination. Hippeastrum is considered a fire plant, so it is perfect for fire signs.
• Treat the flower with love and tenderness and then in return you will receive wonderful blooms and bright leaves.
• To nourish the home and its inhabitants positive energy Place the hippeastrum on the windows, but avoid the north side.

• Hippeastrum promotes relieves nervousness, stress, gives vigor and optimism.
• Helps strengthen family relations and friendship.
• It is ideal to use flowering as a talisman for those who want to achieve recognition and fame.
• If writers or artists place a plant in their workspace, then the muse will not leave them in their creativity. The plant can incline a person to creativity and imagination.
• It would also be an excellent solution to place the hippeastrum in the nursery. This way the child will develop creatively - draw better, sculpt more actively and read poetry with pleasure.
• The plant has no special magical properties, but has therapeutic effect for people who have psychological disabilities. Hippeastrum is good to put in a hospital or prison.
• You can’t make a scandal near a plant, because having accumulated negative information, the plant will give it away later. And it is unknown who this negative will be intended for, perhaps even a random person.

How to buy hippeastrum bulbs by mail in China on Aliexpress?

In order to buy plants from Aliexpress you need:

• Go to the Aliexpress website
• Go to the flower seeds section
• Select the desired plant there

On this moment Hippeastrum seeds are not provided on the site. Check for updates periodically, and you will definitely find your flower.

How to plant and replant hippeastrum: planting depth

If you have purchased a hippeastrum bulb, it is important to plant it correctly. It is also necessary to replant the hippeastrum on time. Find out all the secrets and nuances below:

• Each bulb needs heavy pot. The diameter of the pot should be about 20 cm.
• IN long pots The bulbs can be planted, keeping in mind that the distance should be at least 10 cm from each other.
• You can't plant a plant in a too light pot. Consider the fact that the growing plant will have large flowers and wide leaves. A light pot can tip over due to the wind or gravity itself. This may damage the plant.
• The soil must be drained and with a sufficient amount of humus. Combine turf, leaf, humus soil and sand.
• Before planting, remove any dried scales that are on the bulbs.
• Peel the bulb until you see white or green tissue. This will produce chlorophyll in the plant and remove the source of rot.

• Treat the bulbs before planting with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. After the bulb has dried thoroughly, you can begin planting.
• A third of the bulb should be on the surface of the soil.
• Place the pot with the planted plant on the window where it is located sufficient quantity sunlight.
• Water the hippeastrum with water at room temperature.
• If babies begin to appear on the bulb, you need to remove or leave them. If you plan to propagate the plant, then leave them until they grow enough. If you want to prolong flowering, remove small bulbs.

Small children may appear on the plant if the pot is too spacious. And in this way the plant plans to reproduce faster. This is why you need to choose pots with a small diameter.

The plant needs to be replanted every 2 years. Upper layer It is advisable to change the soil near the hippeastrum annually.

• There is no need to trim the root system when replanting. Remove only roots that are diseased or dry.
• Sprinkle the cut areas with crushed charcoal.
• Carefully separate the hippeastrum bulbs from the children. Plant the children separately, at a distance of 10 cm from each other.
• Hippeastrum children begin to bloom 3-4 years after the plant is transplanted.
• When repotting, increase the diameter of the pot slightly, but do not plant the plant in a pot that is too large.
• The plant should be replanted after flowering, about a month after flowering.

Hippeastrum - care during and after flowering, during the dormant period at home

Hippeastrum can not only bloom, but is also in a dormant period. At this time, the plant needs:

• Water lightly once a month
• Keep in a cool and dark place
• You can scatter the bulbs in boxes for 2-3 months
• Protect the bulbs from frost. They are not resistant to even slight drops in temperature.

Hippeastrum blooms under the following conditions:

• The plant usually blooms from mid-February to the first half of March. But with proper care, flowering can continue until May.
• 3 months before flowering, bring the plants from the dormant period to a warm and bright place.
• You need to water the plant depending on how dry the room is and how intensively the leaves and large flowers grow.
• In order for the plant to bloom actively and beautifully, you need to treat the bulbs in hot water(43-45 ºC). Leave the bulbs for 2-3 hours.
• Do not water the plant during the dormant period for 5 months, and then place it in a bright place and resume watering.
• 3 months after flowering, cut off the leaves and do not water the flower for a month. With the first watering, add fertilizer to the hippeastrum.
  If the plant does not bloom for a long time, then carefully check whether you fertilize the plant well enough. And also check for pests on the plant. Since in the fight against ticks or scale insects, hippeastrum is not able to bloom.

When the plant blooms, properly prepare him for rest:

• Stop watering from September
• Trim the wilted flower and place the bulb in a cool, dry place
• So the pot should remain until the beginning of February

Hippeastrum has faded - what to do with the peduncle: pruning

The plant has faded, you need to give it the opportunity to gain strength. After all, it is proper care during dormancy that will ensure the plant actively blooms:

• When the blossom fades, trim the arrows. There should be no more than 15 cm above the bulb.
• When the arrow is dry, carefully unscrew it from the bulb.
• Leaves can grow 1 piece per month. During this period, lightly water the bulbs.
• Fertilize regularly(potassium and phosphorus) as liquid fertilizers. The bulb needs to be fertilized twice a month.

How to feed hippeastrum for better flowering?

Hippeastrum should be fed when the shoot of the plant is 15 cm tall. If, in your opinion, the plant does not need feeding, then you can postpone this process.

Hippeastrum should be fed with phosphorus and potassium. This is what contributes better flowering and strengthening the plant.

Should not be used frequently nitrogen fertilizers, since in this case the plant may appear gray mold. The plant may die.

Hippeastrum: propagation by bulbs and leaves

Reproduce beautiful flower possible using daughter bulbs. They should be separated from the mother bulb and planted in separate pots. Young plants will bloom 2 years after separation from the mother.

If the bulb does not produce children, this does not interfere with the reproduction of the plant. You need to do this as follows:

• Cut a good plant bulb into 4 parts with a clean knife, making sure that each part has a bottom.
• Cover the cuts with crushed charcoal and leave for 3 days.
• Plant the slices in a sandy or peat mixture. Do not deepen it, but simply place the bottom of it in the mixture.
• You don’t have to completely cut the bulbs, but just make cuts and repeat the same manipulations.
• Over time, you will see that babies will appear from the incisions.

Hippeastrum can be propagated using seeds. You need to wait until after flowering a seed pod is formed on the peduncle and collect the seeds. But it is important to consider that in this case the bulb becomes very weak.

Therefore, if you are determined to collect seeds, be prepared for the fact that the flowering of the plant from which the seeds were collected will be smaller or the plant will not bloom at all. Plant the seeds immediately after collection to a depth of 1 cm.

You will see the first shoots in 2 weeks. Place the plant on a window and regularly feed it with liquid mineral fertilizers.

The hippeastrum plant does not reproduce by leaves.

Why does hippeastrum not bloom, only leaves: what to do, how to make it bloom?

If you seem to be properly caring for a flower, but it does not bloom, then you need to understand the reasons for the plant’s inactivity. There may be several of them:

• Young plant. If you propagated the plant by transplanting bulbs, then do not expect flowering in the first year. Small bulbs will begin to bloom in their second year. And very young ones can even from 5 years old.
• Weakened plant. Flowering takes a lot of energy from the plant. Therefore, if you do not feed and care for the hippeastrum, then next time it may not bloom.
• Not nutritious soil. The plant needs to be replanted regularly once every 1-2 years. Since during this period the roots absorb everything useful material from the soil.

• Little fertilizer in the soil. In order for the flower to regain its strength, it needs to be fed correctly. To do this, when the plant fades, add nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. During flowering, fertilize only with phosphorus and potassium.
• Not enough light. Hippeastrum needs light for active growth and flowering. Therefore, if a plant is not in bloom, pay attention to whether it is standing on a north window. If yes, then be sure to move it to the south side.
• Big pot. In a pot that is too spacious, the plant grows in volume, but does not bloom. Therefore, keep in mind that there should be no more than 3 cm from the bulb to the edge of the pot.
• Incorrect landing. If you plant the plant too deeply, the plant will not bloom. The bulb should be a maximum of half, or better yet a third, buried in the ground.
• The rest schedule has been disrupted. If you did not send the plant to rest in a dark room, then the hippeastum will not gain strength for future flowering.

Hippeastrum and amaryllis - how to distinguish: differences

If there are 2 flowers in front of you, then it is not difficult to tell the difference. But what to do if you see each flower separately. Our advice will help you understand what it is:

• Hippeastrum has a round or elongated bulb, while amaryllis has a pear-shaped bulb.
• Hippeastrum can have 4-6 flowers, amaryllis can have from 6 to 12
• Hippeastrum blooms in winter or spring, and amaryllis in autumn.
• Hippeastrum may have different color flowers, amaryllis has only different shades of pink

Hippeastrum leaves turn yellow: what to do?

If your plant's leaves begin to turn yellow, this may mean that:

• He is preparing for a period of rest, usually in the fall
• There are problems with the root system, perhaps insufficient nutrition
• The plant has not been replanted for a long time and the soil for it is already quite poor and does not have the necessary substances.

Most often, it is the first cause of yellowing leaves. Therefore, there is no need to worry. Just move the plant to a dark place to rest. Do not water the hippeastrum and immediately cut off the dried leaves. Very soon your flower will be ready for winter flowering.

Hippeastrum - red burn disease: how to treat?

Symptoms of a hippeastrum affected by red burn are the presence of red oblong spots on the leaves and flowers of the plant. At first, the affected parts become soft, and then become deformed and dry out.

If measures are not taken in time, the bulb may become sick and rot. Then the plant can no longer be saved.

Most often, the cause of this disease is poor quality planting material. Because of this, not only does a diseased plant grow, but also the daughter bulbs are affected by the burn.

And the development of the disease is accompanied by sudden changes in temperature and too wet soil. To avoid getting a diseased bulb, carefully inspect the planting material before purchasing. Treat the bulb with fugincide and dry well for several days.

If the disease still overtakes the hippeastrum, then it should be carried out curative measures. To do this, use:

• Copper sulfate
• "Hom"
• "Abiga Peak"
• "Maksim"
• "Rovral"
• "Skor"
• "Topaz"

If the bulb is severely affected, it must be cleaned of diseased scales, cut off the affected roots and remove flowering. Never send a sick plant to rest.

Treat the plant with the above preparations and let it dry for 2 days. Plant and loosen the soil well every day until you see new roots appear.

The hippeastrum plant simply fascinates with its beauty. It is absolutely unpretentious and with proper care will delight you with beautiful flowering.

Video: Caring for hippeastrum

Many gardeners who have recently acquired indoor plant hippeastrum? They often ask if he needs a period of rest. The hippeastrum should subside. This will allow you to regulate its flowering period and improve vegetative development.

The rest period of the hippeastrum - when it occurs and how it proceeds

When and how should hippeastrum be put to sleep and why does hippeastrum need a rest period:

• hippeastrum needs a rest period to regulate flowering and normal development- anyone will say something like that experienced florist. You need to put to rest those bulbs that bloomed in the spring. Young bulbs (under three years of age) do not need to be sent to rest. In some cases, hippeastrum blooms once in the spring, and a second time closer to October-November. In this case, the hippeastrum bulb is put to rest if it does not send out new leaves after flowering. This can be checked by spreading the middle of the crown at the base of the leaves. If no new forcing is expected there and the hippeastrum does not bloom, then the plant can be prepared for sleep;

• The hippeastrum is prepared for the rest period as follows: it is NOT WATERED AT ALL. They start doing this in mid-September. By the end of September the plant with its lush crown moved to a dark and cool place where there is no sunlight at all or the amount is minimal. The room temperature should not rise above 13 degrees. In such conditions, the leaves of the hippeastrum begin to dry out and, as they become dead, they are removed. It is not recommended to cut off the still green leaves and thus forcibly send the hippeastrum into a dormant period. All nutrients from the leaves must go to the bulb. By cutting off the green leaves, you deprive the bulb of a significant supply of nutrients. As a result, the plant, even if it has planted a flowering arrow, will bloom sparingly and instead of 4-5 buds it will throw out only 1 or 2 pieces;
• the dormant period of the hippeastrum begins when it begins to shed its leaves. They lose color and begin to dry out. As a result, the plant loses its entire crown. Hippeastrum without foliage should be kept in a dark and cool place until January-February. At this time, the bulb cannot be watered, otherwise it will rot;
• the dormant period of the hippeastrum ends when it begins to throw out a flower-bearing arrow. If this does not happen, the plant begins to wake up on its own. It is taken out to a warm and well-lit place and carefully watered. In this case, you don’t need a lot of liquid, again, so that the onion doesn’t rot.

Hippeastrums in the garden in summer. In such cases, they are dug up in September and transferred from the soil in pots to warm room. However, there is no need to stimulate the further development of the plant (growth of a green crown) at home. Better potty Immediately move the plant to a dark and cool place and wait until the flower begins to shed its leaves. During the same period, it is possible to separate the adult bulb from possible children that formed in the summer.

Hippeastrum – bulbous flower with oblong dark green leaves and large inflorescences different colors. We will talk about how to grow this handsome guy at home and how to care for him in our article.

Translated from Greek name The plant in question means “star” and “cavalier”. Hippeastrum is native to the tropical forests of Central America. It refers to monocots and has more than 80 varieties. They are distinguished by the color of the inflorescence and the shape of the bud. Some varieties are grown outdoors, while others are grown indoors.

The most common species is hippeastrum garden. The flower has a large bulb, reaching 20 centimeters, half of which is hidden in the ground. The oblong leaves, belt-shaped or ribbon-shaped, are combined into a basal rosette approximately 40-50 cm long. Funnel-shaped or bell-shaped inflorescences are collected in 3-4 pieces on a peduncle up to one meter high.

Common plant species are:

• hippeastrum bright red is distinguished by red inflorescences with greenish stripes;
• Hippeastrum reticulum has flowers with pink stripes;
• Hippeastrum palatialis blooms with beautiful red flowers.

Other popular varieties include:

1. Hippeastrum cultivar Lady Jane flower. It reaches 20-25 cm in diameter. The petals are pale orange with pink-yellow stripes in the center and wavy edges.
2. In the Papillio Butterfly variety, the bulb has an oblong shape. The name of this variety arose due to the shape of the flowers - they look like butterflies of a soft white or yellow-green color. In the center of each petal there is a bright crimson stripe.
3. Hippeastrum Leopolda has dark green, strap-shaped leaves. The flower is a rich red color, which gradually turns white at the ends of the petals.

Hippeastrum: growing features

A nice feature of hippeastrum is that the flowering time can be selected and timed to coincide with some event.

• Typically, hippeastrum bulbs are purchased in autumn and winter, when the flower is dormant.
• Before planting in the soil in spring, the bulb must be soaked in warm water for 2-3 hours (the so-called forcing of the plant).
• Then it needs to be planted in the ground so that almost 1/2 of the head is above the ground.

It is important to know! If you need to achieve the rapid appearance of a peduncle, you need to water the plant when planting, then put it in a warm, lit place and stop active watering.

High humidity reduces the growth of flower stalks and accelerates the development of foliage. This is one of the reasons for the passivity of the hippeastrum. In addition, to make the plant happy bright colors next season, it needs bright lighting and good care after the previous flowering.

Caring for hippeastrum at home

The plant cannot be called very capricious, therefore every attentive gardener can provide care for it.

Soil requirements

To propagate a flower, you need to purchase soil for bulbous plants, which is sold in any gardening department. You can prepare the mixture yourself.

It consists of:

• turf land;
• coarse river sand;
• peat;
• and good humus.

The soil ratio looks like this: 2:1:1:1.

Any fertile, heavy mixture of turf, humus and leaf soil with the inclusion of sand.

Temperature, humidity, lighting

Normal suits the plant room temperature. IN summer period+18-23 degrees should be provided, and during “sleep” in winter - 10-12 degrees Celsius.

The plant does not require additional moisture, but is light-loving and must be kept on a window facing southeast or southwest. During "sleep" the flower can be placed in a room with poor lighting.

Watering a flower

When watering, you need to prevent liquid from getting on the bulb.

• When the plant comes out of "sleep", it needs to be watered as needed.
• With the appearance of the peduncle, watering is reduced until it reaches a height of 10-20 cm. After this, watering is increased.
• After flowering, regular watering is recommended, as the bulb, leaves and flower stalks are growing.
• With the onset of autumn, watering is reduced and practically stops by the end of September.
• When the flower spends the winter in a cool room, the plant can be watered once every 30-45 days. If in a warm place, then water it occasionally and little by little.

Feeding and fertilizer

You need to start feeding the hippeastrum from the moment when the first leaves begin to appear and the peduncle shoot grows to a height of 15 cm. But this can be done later.

At the very beginning of the growing season, fertilizers should contain nitrogen and potassium, and during the flowering period - phosphorus and potassium. It is recommended to fertilize the plant 2 times a month, and 30 days before the onset of dormancy, fertilizing should be stopped.

Pruning and replanting

By the end of autumn, the leaves should die off on their own due to reduced watering and deteriorating natural light. You should not cut off healthy greens, because when they naturally die, all the necessary substances move into the bulb. If there are a couple of green leaves left on it that will not interfere with the storage process, you can leave them.

It is advisable to transplant the hippeastrum once a year. Either before the flower goes to sleep, or before the growing season begins.

It is important to know! The pot for replanting should be deep, and the distance between the bulb and the surface of the pot should not exceed 2 cm.

1. When transplanting a flower, you need to ensure good drainage. You can take fine gravel or expanded clay.
2. Prepare the soil from equal parts of earth, humus, sand, and turf.
3. The roots are not cut off during the process. Only dry ones are removed, and the cut area is sprinkled with fine charcoal.
4. The hippeastrum bulb should be placed two-thirds into the soil, with the rest on top.

Flowering and dormancy

• Young plants usually bloom once a year, in winter or in early spring. And adults bloom in the summer if they are well cared for.
• Usually two, less often three, peduncles are formed.
• Inflorescences are laid inside the bulb every 4 leaves.
• The leaves usually grow alternately on both sides, but when flower stalks are formed, two leaves grow side by side, on one side.
• The number of leaves and inflorescences depends on the care; the better it is, the more flowers there will be.

For flowering in room conditions Hippeastrum needs rest. Typically, the dormant period lasts from the beginning of October to the end of December. For its onset, it is necessary to gradually reduce watering and fertilizing from the end of August, and at the end of September, almost completely stop the flow of water. Basically, the leaves of hybrids dry out completely and then they must be carefully removed. There are varieties that retain leaves for the winter, but new ones do not grow.

• When wintering in warm room it is necessary to monitor the root system so that it does not dry out, and sometimes water it.
• And in a cool room, the plant must be provided with watering no more than once a month.

If you wish, you can artificially create a dormant period to get flowering more than once a year.

It must be taken into account that for hippeastrum summer is warm, good watering and feeding, and winter is dry and cool (10-16 degrees). Therefore, by artificially providing such conditions, you can achieve additional flowering.

Reproduction of hipperastrum

Hippeastrum propagation occurs in three ways: seeds, children and dividing the bulb. Propagation of a plant by seeds is justified exclusively in selection, due to the difficulties with collection. At home it is recommended vegetative propagation hippeastrum - bulbs or children.

The number of children of hippeastrum is small, depending on the variety and conditions in which the plant is located. Babies appear regardless of the time of year and, when transplanted, they are carefully broken off.

Large varieties are propagated by scales, because they usually have few children.

1. You need to wash the bulb, cut the leaves to the root collar and reduce the roots to 2-3 cm.
2. Then it should be cut into pieces with a clean knife. You can get up to 16 parts, depending on the size of the onion. Each of them should have part of the bottom left.
3. The pieces need to be powdered with “Kornevin” or another root growth stimulator and planted in a container with coarse sand or moss so that the tops are on the surface.
4. Plants are germinated at a temperature of at least 20 degrees.

Disease and pest control

Red rot is one of the most intractable diseases of hippeastrum.

1. It is necessary to cut out all infected areas, cut off dead roots, and treat the cut areas with “Fundazol” and sprinkle with crushed wood ash.
2. You can soak the onion in the Maxim solution (fludioxonil) for half an hour. The treated bulb then needs to be dried for a week and planted in new soil and a new pot.

When watering with Maxim solution, the soil will be disinfected. If possible, crushed sphagnum moss should be added to the soil. The bulb needs to be planted so that 2/3 of it is above the soil - this will allow you to monitor its condition. Watering should be kept to a minimum and make sure that water does not get on the bulb.

Pests for hippeastrum are spider mite, scale insects and mealybugs. They are found mainly on the leaves and under the scales of the bulb. Those pests that are visible should be removed with gauze moistened with an alcohol solution, and then treat the plant with Karbofos or Actellik.

• If the plant has a low peduncle or several underdeveloped leaves, this indicates a disease of the bulb or its underdevelopment.
• The painful condition of the bulb is also indicated by its softness, lethargy, and the presence of brown or black spots.
• It’s a bad sign if there are visible areas of rot on its surface or at the base.
• An alarm signal when insects hover around a plant.

If there is excessive moisture, the bulb must be dried and treated with Maxim fungicide or a dark burgundy solution of potassium permanganate.

1. It happens that the reason is a lack of nutrients. Accordingly, the flower needs to be watered regularly and fed in sufficient quantities.
2. The next reason may be waterlogging of the soil and rotting of the bulb.
3. If infected with the listed pests, the plant will also not bloom.

There are several tricks to make hippeastrum bloom:

• The plant stops watering in August and is placed in a dry and dark place. And then they start watering at the end of January. The plant will bloom within 40 days.
• The bulbs are treated with water, the temperature of which is 44-46 degrees, for three hours. Then place the flower in a warm and well-lit place. The plant should not be watered until the flower stalk appears and then it should bloom within three weeks.
• In mid-summer, the leaves are cut with a sharp object treated with alcohol, and watering is stopped for 30 days. After this period, water and feed with complex fertilizer. By September the plant will bloom.

Differences between amaryllis and hippeastrum

Amaryllis and hippeastrum are often difficult to distinguish, because they are so similar - bulbs large diameter, from which come slender arrows with flowers resembling a large bell. Amaryllis "Beauty" (A. belladonna) is rarely found, and the flower that sellers pass off as it, in fact, is not it.

The varied shades of hippeastrum petals are striking:

• creamy white;
• lilac;
• deep red;
• soft pink;
• bright orange;
• sometimes with veins of a different color.

The hybrid flower hippeastrum has hollow peduncles, and up to 6 flowers are formed in its inflorescence. Amaryllis has dense flower stalks and up to 12 flowers in an inflorescence.

Hippeastrum blooms in winter or spring period, has a belt-shaped leaf up to 50 cm long, which usually grows after flowering, and a funnel-shaped flower 12-15 cm in diameter. Amaryllis blooms in autumn, in a leafless state, and has a flower up to 8 cm in diameter.

Based on all of the above, we can conclude that although hippeastrum requires proper attention and self-care, the result is worth it! An unusual, spectacular plant will definitely delight everyone around you with its bright and delicate flowers.