Description
Hippeastrum is a plant you cannot fail to notice. First one or two stems appear, usually with four trumpet-shaped flowers each; with luck, stems with as many as five white-pink or red flowers can form. The leaves grow only later. Compared with the magnificent flowers they are modest, dark green and 40–60 cm long. In summer, when the plant prepares for its rest period, the leaves die back.
Crossing and breeding of various species, especially in the Netherlands, famous for bulb growing, has produced many hybrids. Today Hippeastrum is grown over vast areas in southern Africa and supplied to Europe as bulbs.
The flower is huge, up to 15 cm across, in colours from white to red. The scent is slightly sweet; white flowers are the most fragrant.
Requirements
During growth the plant needs enough sunshine, fresh air and high humidity.
Propagation
Hippeastrum is best propagated from offsets, i.e. the small bulbs that form around the mother bulb. They can be carefully separated and planted in small pots with fertile soil, but they will flower only after 2–3 years.
Care
In summer the right temperature is 18°C, and in winter it should not fall below 16°C.
The faster the plant grows, the more water it needs. Feed it until the end of July, once a week. From September to December, water very sparingly.
Repotting is needed once every three to four years, after the full rest period. Use nutrient-rich, free-draining soil and do not forget a drainage layer.
Old flower stems and leaves wither by themselves. When repotting, remove any dry, rotten or – worse – fungus-infected bulb scales.
After flowering, reduce watering. The rest period then begins: from autumn to January move the pot somewhere cooler, do not feed and water sparingly. At the end of January a new flower stem should appear.
If you want a Hippeastrum in flower by December, you need to force the bulb. It is fairly simple and very interesting, although it takes several weeks. Start in autumn: stand the bulb in a container of lukewarm water for a day. Then fill a pot with light, fertile soil and plant the bulb so that a third of it sticks out above the surface. Put a pointed cap of cardboard or paper over the bulb and keep it at 20–25°C. Water sparingly, but do not let the soil dry out. After 4–6 weeks the first shoots appear; carefully increase watering. When the shoots are about 10 cm long, remove the cap and place the pot in a bright, warm spot.
When plants get sick
Spots on the leaves and withered leaves – indicate a fungal infection. Cut off the infected parts and use a fungicide. Fungal diseases are the result of improper care.
Before you buy
Hippeastrum is usually bought shortly before flowering, but sprouting bulbs are also very often available. If the plant already has buds, look at them closely, as they show whether the plant will be of good or poorer quality.
Average lifespan: – a healthy, strong bulb can flower many times, provided it is properly cared for during its rest period.
Difficulty of care: – easy to grow.