Hippeastrum (55 photos): types and care

Hippeastrum is a representative of the South African flora from the Amaryllis family. The diversity of the genus reaches 90 different species. It is an extremely popular plant that is prized for its unusually beautiful and large inflorescences. But getting high-quality flowering is quite difficult, because the flower comes from the tropics, and therefore it is very picky and demanding in care. Let’s try together to figure out how to care for these beautiful flowers..

Types of hippeastrum

Breeders have presented us with more than two thousand hybrids of an authentic plant. The most noticeable difference between them lies in the color and shape of the flowers..

Hippeastrum palace has become widespread among connoisseurs of indoor plants. It has large scarlet flowers presented on a fleshy peduncle. It, in turn, is subdivided into several main varieties:

1. Red – characterized by the presence of narrow green stripes on red or pink petals;

2. Royal – has scarlet pointed flowers that resemble a star. Grows to an unusually high height;

3. Columnar – sprouts about six delicate inflorescences with unusual tubular funnels. Typically salmon colored.

There is a classification of hippeastrum based on the origin, shape or size, and the timing of the flowering of the plant. It is represented by several groups of hybrids: with amaryllis belladonna; with orchids; with long tubular flowers; hybrids Leopold and other species.

In such a huge variety, only real specialists can figure it out. We have compiled a small list of those colors that are most often found in interiors:

Harrison’s species – straight from Uruguay, has gorgeous white flowers with a red line running down the center. Requires high humidity and a dormant period in a cool environment.

Hippeastrum Nelson – found naturally in Bolivia, a rather rare species. It has an amazing shape and color. Lovely cream colored petals with red edging.

Doran – grows on the banks of the Orinoco River. Has bright pink petals enclosed by a white stripe.

Argentinean hippeastrum – presented in a white appearance and is distinguished by the most delicate aroma. Has corrugated and pointed flowers.

This is only a small part of all existing species, but it is worth noting one important fact – whichever one you choose, this plant will delight you every day thanks to its juicy leaves and give a delicate aroma at least a month a year..

Flowering hippeaustrum

The hippeastrum flower is really very beautiful, so many housewives try to do everything to admire the flowering of this beautiful plant. Young specimens bloom no more than once a year, but more mature specimens bloom twice.

If your flower does not bloom for a long time, then you need to fertilize it. At the beginning of autumn, be sure to arrange a dormant period. Move the pot to a cool place and stop watering until around January. Watering must be resumed carefully, moving the plant to a bright place. After these procedures, young buds will appear within 3-4 weeks..

The plant will give 2-6 flowers. Typically, the flowering cycle occurs within three weeks – from the appearance of the first buds to complete wilting. The amount of time it takes for the hippeastrum to release flowers depends on the temperature conditions. For example, if the environment is hot enough, then everything happens quite quickly. If the plant has several peduncles, then flowering takes longer and can last up to 1.5 months..

Reproduction methods

Reproduction takes place in two ways – seed and vegetative. To obtain seeds, you need to pollinate the flowers with a brush. When the seed pod is formed, it takes about 2 months to ripen. But first, you need to soak all the seeds in a weak solution of boric acid. Please note that plants with white inflorescences are not considered the most fertile for strong seeds..

In the second case, reproduction occurs as follows. When the first two leaves appear on the plant, they are transplanted into other pots. In addition, adult bulbs sometimes release babies who, after a few months, are ready for transplant..

Transfer

This South African flower gets its main nourishment from the soil, so mature plants need replanting every year. For flowers to appear sooner, the pot must be cramped. The distance from the bulbs to the edges of the container should be about 3 cm.The bulb should be approximately halfway deep, take care of this.

Repotting is best done in spring, 3 weeks after the last day of flowering. If you are convinced that the roots of the plant are healthy, then you should not prune them. Remove any excess parts until you reach the dense and fleshy white layers. Next, place the roots in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for half an hour, and gently but thoroughly wipe the bulbs. By the way, it often happens that the roots let the children go, it is also better to remove them so that they do not subsequently take energy from the mother flower.

The soil can be purchased ready-made in a specialized store or assembled from the following components: turf soil; humus leaves; river sand; peat.

Pay attention to the ceramic pots – they allow the hippeastrum to breathe, especially since they are unlikely to tip over under the influence of weight.

Home care for hippeastrum

Daily care of this kind of flowers does not require much effort. He needs bright lighting during most of the day. That is why it is advisable to place the pot on the southern windowsills. Leaves-shedding varieties necessarily require rest in a dark place..

Room temperature has a positive effect on life expectancy and flowering periods. In winter, the temperature can be lowered down to + 11C, and in summer, put the flower outside, while avoiding through places. This plant prefers a stable environment, sharp cold snaps in the evening are undesirable..

Air humidity has little effect on this flower. Leaves can be wiped with a damp cloth or sprayed with water. It is not necessary to carry out this procedure regularly..

Caring for hippeastrum in the garden

Most gardeners note that in natural conditions, the flower feels much better, despite its origin. In the ground, the bulb grows several times. It must be remembered that this is a perennial plant, so the bulb must be stored carefully and kept healthy. This is the only guarantee of a beautiful and blooming hippeastrum..

Hippeastrum is planted in the spring, when the ground is already completely warmed up, and for the winter the bulbs are removed from the ground, otherwise they will simply freeze. Plants hibernate without leaves and roots, so you need to cleanse them of these parts.

Form the beds in a somewhat shady place. Dig up the ground before planting, add a little ash, humus and river sand to it. Plant in such a way that the bulb protrudes 1–2 cm above the ground..

Water the plant once or twice a week, depending on the weather conditions. If the plant shoots an arrow very early, then it is worth cutting off the shoot. After such a procedure, lush and strong leaves will appear..

Watch the plants – a dense crust should not form around them and weeds should not grow, get rid of them as soon as you notice.

It is best to remove plants from the soil at the beginning of autumn, and place the bulbs in a cool place with an air temperature of + 13 … + 15C.

Diseases and treatment of hippeastrum

If your flower has slowed down or stopped growing altogether, check the bulbs urgently. They can be infected with fungus or damaged by various pests. The best way to save the plant is to treat it with a special agent and transplant it into healthy, fertilized soil..

When the tips of the leaves begin to turn brown, this indicates dry air or low potassium levels. Install a room humidifier, fertilize the soil and your hippeastrum will recover.

Liquid fertilizers are used to maintain the health and beauty of the plant. The first feeding should be done when the stalk of the peduncle exceeds 15 cm.This procedure should be carried out once every two weeks until the dormant period begins.

Dormant period

When the leaves of your hippeastrum droop, begin to turn yellow, and the bulb increases in volume, this signals preparation for a dormant period. You need to trim the leaves, finish watering and feeding. After that, the pot is transferred to a cool and dark place. The permissible temperature for a plant during this period will be + 10 … + 15C.

The whole process runs from early September to late December. It is very important to prevent the bulb from drying out. To do this, add a little water to the pan about once a month. The better the rest period passes, the more magnificent the flowering and appearance of the flower will be..

Hippeastrum – photo

Hippeastrum is often distilled on New Year’s and Christmas Eve. And this is undoubtedly a good reason for decorating the interior with flowers for the holiday. At the peak of its flowering, the plant looks very bright and solemn, so it is best to put it in a prominent place in the living room – let it become the main decoration of the New Year’s decoration!