Amaryllis (amaryllis) is a monocotyledonous plant of the Amaryllis family. It is a perennial representative of the flora, characterized by the presence of bulbs and umbellate inflorescences.
General characteristics
Previously, amaryllises were classified as hippeastrum. Now it represents a separate genus of bulbous plants. Hippeastrum is a flower with leaves like amaryllis, they appear before flowering. In amaryllis, they form during growth. During flowering, they are absent.
Indoor Amaryllis
Representatives of the amaryllidaceae family attract attention with large flowers that spread a rich aroma. Prefer to live in a temperate climate, do not tolerate cold.
Amaryllis flower appeared in South Africa and quickly spread throughout the world due to its attractiveness. Reminds a garden lily. Bright shades of petals and thin long leaves really look like a famous plant. Amaryllis is even called house lily.
Additional Information. The beauty of the plant tried to convey the great artists. For example, a sketch of a lily resembling indoor amaryllis created by Leonardo da Vinci is widely known. The name is widely used to attract the attention of tourists. For example, there are hotels called "Amaryllis" in Rhodes, in Vietnam.
The bulb of the plant produces a long stem, the height of which exceeds 40 centimeters. An inflorescence is formed on it. The leaves are dark green, begin to grow from the root. Flowers are formed in several pieces, the number reaches 12. There are varieties that differ in petals, their width and shape. There are usually 6 of them, connecting, they form a funnel. Amaryllis flowers have various shades: from white and pink to dark purple. Varieties with a large number of petals are bred.
How many times a year amaryllis blooms, depends on the created conditions in the room. The plant loves:
- bright but diffused sunlight;
- moderate watering.
Important! A prerequisite for flowering is rest in the winter season. During hibernation, the flower is gaining strength and is ready to please household members by the beginning of spring. While resting, it is in a cool room, with a temperature of 12-16 degrees.
There is a legend explaining the appearance of the name. It contains a description of the life of a nymph named Amaryllis, captivating the hearts of all men on earth. The God of Autumn fell in love with a girl, and to hide her from other men, turned into a beautiful flower. The treacherous lover did not stop there, endowed the plant with poison. Since then, the one who touched the beautiful flower, perished.
Main types
Amaryllis Belladonna is found in nature - it is a poisonous plant, the stem, leaves and flower are considered dangerous. It is under threat of extinction, is listed in the Red Book, so there is practically no chance of finding it. It has a small flower that differs in size from the varieties bred for cultivation at home. Petals are light pink in color, their tips are pointed and bent.
Belladonna
All amaryllis are usually divided into terry and simple. The determining criterion for the name is the number of plant petals. If there are 6 of them, then this is an ordinary plant resembling amaryllis belladonna. Terry can have more than 18 petals. They, in turn, are divided into groups:
- semidouble - flowers contain from 9 to 11 petals;
- double - amaryllis with 12-17 petals;
- superdouble - a super double plant with over 18 petals.
Simple Amaryllis
Amaryllis white (Mont blank) is often used to create wedding bouquets. A delicate pearl flower perfectly complements the image of the bride. Often the plant has a greenish center, which is especially noticeable when the bud is closed.
White-pink flowers distinguish the representative of the variety Apple Blossom. It is grown in pots and for compositions from plants, providing bright but diffused light.
Christmas Gift is another variety with snow-white flowers that appear 2-3 months after the planting of the bulb. They are huge, more than 20 centimeters in diameter. The core of the flower is light yellow. In addition to white, beige petals are found.
Christmas Gift
Amaryllis red looks very impressive. Bright petals have a bright base. Sometimes they are bordered with white-yellow stripes, which makes amaryllis more tender.
Variety Clown is famous for its colorful colors. Petals are colored pink-orange and white stripes, replacing each other. It can bloom several times a season, with proper care and proper top dressing.
Amaryllis rilona is usually planted in personal plots. The plant is characterized by:
- petals of an unusual gentle orange color, almost salmon;
- the core has a red tint, near it it is easy to notice bright orange touches.
The time from planting the bulb to flowering is about two months.
Rilona
The bulbous flower of Amaryllis Minerva pleases the eye with a bright bloom with the advent of spring. The plant is not intended for planting in open ground. The flowers are bright red in combination with white. A light shade extends from the center of the petal to its middle.
Amaryllis Ferrari flowers are bright, plain. Due to the rich orange-red hue, the petals seem velvety. The plant blooms at any time of the year, the main thing is to create comfortable conditions for it. With sufficient sunlight, it grows rapidly.
Grand diva amaryllis flowers are striking in their beauty. They are distinguished by a dark core, the petals have a burgundy hue and a velvety surface. There are 6 of them, they are collected in a funnel. Flowers recommend growing:
- in indoor pots;
- in the open ground.
Grand diva
Important! During dormancy, which comes with the advent of cold weather, the plant does not need to be watered. If the flower was outdoors, the bulb must be transferred to heat, stored at a temperature of at least 12 degrees. In cooler conditions, the plant will die.
Terry Amaryllis
Terry representatives of the species differ in voluminous colors. Amaryllis Double Dream has simply huge flowers, the diameter of which reaches 20 centimeters. When they fully open, they form dark pink balls resembling peonies. On the outside, the petals are painted in a lighter shade.
In total there are from 20 to 30 pieces, arranged in rows, due to this volume is created. The shape of the petals varies depending on the distance from the center. Prefers moderate watering and soil moisture.
Variety Aphrodite belongs to the super-wide representatives of the plant. The flowers are large - from 15 to 25 centimeters in diameter. Color can have different: from white to dark cherry. Petals are delicate, thin, have a different shape, because of this the flower seems airy.
The plant is grown at home, in pots or especially for the preparation of flower arrangements. Aphrodite loves sunny color and does not tolerate drafts, does not tolerate cold, therefore it is not recommended to plant it in open ground.
Aphrodite
Amaryllis Marilyn lives only in pots and is grown for cutting. Flowers have many petals and differ in various shades, can be white, orange, red, cherry. Light shades are more common. The plant requires a transplant once every 3-4 years.
The variety of cherry nymphs is distinguished by red flowers. The size in diameter reaches 25 centimeters. The peduncle itself grows in length up to half a meter.
Amaryllis at home
Amaryllis is suitable for growing at home. All existing species are adapted to a temperate climate that can easily be created in an apartment.
To make the plant feel comfortable, it is necessary to provide:
- Constant access of sunlight, avoiding direct rays;
- Moderate watering in the hot season;
- Almost complete cessation of soil moisture during the wintering period;
- Top dressing during flowering and enhanced growth, its absence in the winter season, when at rest.
Note! The plant loves diffused sunlight, therefore, to wake it up after hibernation, it is enough to put it closer to the window. The flower will feel the change and wake up, begin to grow. When the plant comes to life, you need to start feeding it with special fertilizer and intensify watering. If he is satisfied with the conditions of detention, he will be pleased with flowering several times a year.
After the end of the period, feeding is stopped. The leaves begin to fade, and the plant goes to "winter". The bulb collects the necessary nutrients for further growth, so there is no need to cut off the remaining leaves.
In spring and summer, plant propagation is carried out:
- by seeds;
- vegetatively using a flower bulb.
All types of plants take root well at home, as they do not tolerate frost and drafts. Much less variety regarding garden amaryllis. Plants suitable for planting in open ground include varieties:
- Durban
- The Snow Queen;
- Macarena;
- Grandior
In winter, they need to arrange a warm place for them, on the street the bulbs will die. Since amaryllis is a perennial, having transferred cold at a moderate temperature, it will begin to bloom again in spring.
Amaryllis growing in pots
Amaryllis not only pleases the eye of flower growers, being on the illuminated windowsill. It is often used by decorators to create their own unique compositions. The plant complements any bouquet. Therefore, often unpretentious flower is grown in pots for cutting. For example, Amaryllis Hercules is ideal for floral masterpieces.
Fireplace pink color of the petals will decorate the decorative composition. The flowers are large - up to 20 centimeters in diameter. White stripes are visible in the center of the petals. In order for the plant to bloom, it is necessary to wait 2 months after planting.
Hercules
Variety Red Lyon with one look will create a festive atmosphere. Saturated dark red flowers like moderate watering and an average temperature of no higher than 20 degrees. Periodic top dressing and the right conditions will extend the flowering period of Lyons.
Amaryllis - indoor plants, all of their species feel great in pots. The main thing is to choose the right size so that the roots are not crowded, but also there is not much free space left. Otherwise, the water will stagnate, which will lead to decay of the plant. It is recommended to use a deep pot, as the plant has powerful roots.
At the bottom, it is better to put drainage, which prevents waterlogging. Three centimeters of small pebbles, chipped red brick is enough to provide comfort to the roots of the plant. Already on top of the soil is used, used for bulbous representatives of the flora.
Amaryllis is a spectacular flower, characterized by a variety of shades and the number of petals in buds. Terry and simple representatives of the species are able to decorate any bouquet. In properly created conditions at home, the plant will delight flowering twice a year, without requiring careful care.