When one hears the word “amaryllis” one immediately thinks of other names for it, like belladonna, Jersey lily, Hippeastrum and, of course, naked lady.
As the world of botany continues to exhibit itself as just plain weird, I have to wonder where the minds of these botanists are really at.
According to Greek mythology, a lovestruck, but sheepish maiden named Amaryllis fell in love with Alteo, a strong, handsome shepherd. But her advances were not returned. Hoping that she could win him over by giving him a new type of flower, Amaryllis sought advice from the Oracle of Delphi.
Mr. Oracle advised her to sacrifice her blood for him. So, she rang Alteo’s doorbell every night for a month and each time she pierced her heart with a golden arrow. When Alteo finally opened his door, he saw an exuberant crimson flower, created from Amaryllis’s bleeding heart. As expected, the persistent bachelorette won his love, and was immediately itted to the ICU.
The next day Alteo fixed his doorbell.
An amaryllis naturally blooms in spring or summer, but those you buy before Christmas have been treated to bloom for the holidays.
Some people treat their amaryllis as “one-and-done” plants. To get it to re-bloom, remove the faded flowers and cut the stem back to within two inches of the bulb. It will continue to grow leaves, which will promote photosynthesis.
In spring, when the daytime temperatures reach above 50 degrees Fahrenheit, you can place it outdoors in a sunny location on a patio or deck, or simply plant the entire pot into the soil in a sunny spot. It’s not necessary to remove the amaryllis from the pot.
If nighttime temperatures are forecasted to dip below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, bring them indoors in the evening and set them back outside in the morning. These tender perennials will not survive freezing temperatures.
Water and lightly feed with a slow-release, liquid houseplant food high in phosphorus. For reblooming next year, fertilize once in June and once in July. Stop watering it in late September and let the leaves shrivel and turn brown. This causes the bulb to go dormant, which is needed for future blooming.
Bring the bulb indoors before the first frost, keep it in a cool, dark place and don’t water. Around March 1, water the bulb once. When you see a green bud emerge, water again. Allow one month for it to bloom.
Some bulbs sprout their leaves first, and then the flower stalk emerges. Other amaryllis bulbs grow the flower stalk first, followed by the leaves. The flower stalk will eventually appear.
A heavy pot will prevent tipping over under the weight of the blooms. Rotate the pot every two weeks to encourage the flower stalks to grow straight. To keep the blooms upright, use a stake.
When shopping, purchase the largest bulbs since they will produce more stalks and blooms. Fill the pot about half full with sterile, lightweight potting soil high in organic matter, such as peat moss.
Plant the bulb, pointed-end-up, so the roots rest on the potting soil. Add more soil, tapping it down gently, until one-third to one-half of the bulb is visible. Water, then allow to drain completely.
Most varieties will start to bloom six to eight weeks after planting. Others can take up to 10 weeks. If you wanted blooms for Christmas, you would have had to plant it around mid-October. If you plant a bulb on Jan. 1, it should bloom in late February.
Amaryllis reproduces by growing “daughter” bulbs next to their “mother.”
It can take six years to produce flowers if you grow them from seed.
Their bold, trumpet-shaped flowers grow on 1- to 2-foot leafless stalks called scapes.
The most popular colors are red and white, but flowers may also be apricot, burgundy, orange, pink or bicolored.
If infected with the narcissus bulb fly, the bulb’s exterior may appear normal, but will have rotting tissue when squeezed. Trash any infested bulbs. Insecticides aren’t effective.
Southern blight is a fungal disease which causes white growth around the stem at the level of the soil. Treat with a fungicide.
Red blotch, or leaf scorch, is a fungus that appears on the flower stalks and leaves. Treat the bulbs with a systemic fungicide. Watch for slugs, snails and gnats.
Repot amaryllis every three or four years.
As cut flowers, they can last up to two weeks longer in a vase than they do when left growing on the plant.
It’s unfortunate that garden centers only carry a few amaryllis bulbs when plant breeders have developed over 600 varieties.
Actually, “naked lady” comes from the plant’s pattern of flowering when the foliage has died.
End of that story.
Schmidt is a Poway resident with over 40 years of gardening experience.
