skip to main content

Amaryllis/Hippeastrum

Why you should cut bulb necks in the fall!

kaboehm (zone 9a, TX USA)

13 years ago

I got this bulb recently and the scape was already starting to poke out...but this is why I cut all my bulbs down each fall. This is Dancing Queen...what a shame! It's now blooming with the scape still inside the bulb, not attractive or healthy. Will be an invitation to interior ROT! :-(

K
{{gwi:407324}}

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

brigarif Khan
13 years ago
Yes, Why?.
haweha
13 years ago
With all due and deserved respect - I miss the reason->effect relation, in this case.

"Cutting the neck" is a good measure, in order to inspect a bulb, before you put it into storage. If the area is not completely white, and rather reveals red spots, then this indicates an infection from bulb scale mite, along the leaf bases.
If you do regularly treat/cure the growing crop, alternately with a systemic acaricide (Dimethoat) and a general-purpose, superficially working insectide (synthetic Pyrethroid like Cypermethrin / Imiprothrin) then you can omit cutting the neck, but I would recommend it even though.
Do not forget to cure or at least disinfect the freshly cut, raw surface. I apply up to 50 g of crystallized ALUMEN [KAl(SO4)2 x 12 H2O = mild disinfectant] per L water together with 2.5 mL Rogor or such other normed Dimethoat preparation (400 g/L in Cyclohexanon)
Related Discussions
Why are my mums preparing to bloom? Should I cut them back?
Q
Comments (14)
I'm no expert, but agree with calliope. I have one similiar in shape to yours. I'd asked the cutting back question last year, since Mom always said "keep cutting back until 4th of July (you're right, Ken) but that was for ones that get all tall and leggy. I was told this type (or at least mine) is called a 'cushion mum' and bred to remain compact and rounded. I never cut mine back (except for initial cutting it down after dying) and it blooms magnificantly throughout the season. Here's a pic of mine (bad quality) late in the season (fall?) as it was dying off. You'll notice it did start to lay down and have a gap in the center, but because if you'll notice, there's a dark semi-circle thing above it which is a giant bush. And if I don't keep THAT trimmed back, it crowds out and shades the mum so it can't grow in a full 'cushion' shape. But other than that, you can see it kept its rounded shape all season, never got leggy. I haven't tried the pinching back after first bloom but will try that this year, since later on it does start to look pretty shabby so TKS calliope for that hint!! Also, just checked mine out and it's dead inside NOW but you say it's advised not to pinch back now. So I gather these types are not made to rebloom if I cut it back now?? (I'm sure you answered that, but can't see your response now).
...See More
long neck bulb photos
Q
Comments (7)
My xJohnsonii definitely has the longer neck... but my Exotic Star is round and plump with the short neck of a regular hybrid. I suspect that some part of the "long neck" syndrome has to do with how the leaves die back and where they're clipped off when dead... on the other hand, xJohnsonii just seems to have a smaller, narrower build with the long neck of a bulb used to being deeper in the soil.
...See More
How early do you start ordering fall bulbs
Q
Comments (20)
It will be a little while yet, but I will be enjoying the honey scent of the Tithonia before the summer ends! I just transplanted the little guys into a community pot... there are about half a dozen seedlings. As they outgrow this pot, I'll move them to the garden. Our weather has been so goofy, that things I would normally already have in flower are just now beginning to grow beyond the 3" and 4" pots I place them in as seedlings... it's been a weird year, weather-wise! I just hope everything makes it to bloom size before fall! I know I don't have to send you anything, Cindee... you constantly tell me that! But I like to return favors, and you've been so wonderfully generous, and you've got me started on such wonderful new hobbies, like orchid growing, for instance! You know what they say... "Do Unto Others As You'd Have Them Do Unto You!" And by gosh, I'm going to do unto you... so you at least can open a gift box and smile, knowing the person who sent it chose it and wrapped it with friendship and care! Opening care packages and seeing the surprises within, sent by my dear friends, is something I enjoy so very much! How can I not return that favor?!! :-)
...See More
Papilio grown from seed, maiden bloom at neck of bulb.
Q
Comments (8)
Well, Joe, I'm looking at your flower and wondering if it might not be a cross. As you correctly point out, the stigma is spotted and I just went back through all my pictures of papilios and not a single one has anything but a white stigma. Also ,looking at your picture your stripes appear to go out to the ends of the petals for the most part and also the color is more red. (that might just be your camera). Now, who would have given you papilio that you could grow from seed. It would have to have been someone who had two different clones or had a Doran strain and was able to get seeds but they would have been so excited I should think it would have been all over the forum unless someone from somewhere else gave you some seeds. Back about 3 to 4 years I made a cross of papilio Exotic Star which gave me about 20 seeds about half of them I am still have growing today but I don't think I would have given anyone any of these as they were my first great success. So, think back who gave you seeds. Houstonpat had loads of papilios, maybe he gave you seeds? Regardless, in my opinion from what I can see of your flower I would say it's a pap cross, but of what I don't know. I wait to hear what others have to say about this. Also, as I think back It may have been Houstonpat who had some papilios (Kristi too) that bloomed down in the scape. As far as using that pollen, I can't say whether or not I would, probably not as I have regular pap pollen but I suppose in a pinch I might, the choice is yours and keep in mind that it just might be a cross, not that that would really matter one way or the other. Hope I haven't just confused the issue more.....☺ Donna
...See More
kaboehm (zone 9a, TX USA)
Original Author
13 years ago
I find that as bulbs age and grow, the necks get sucessively narrower and tall. This (at least at my house) restricts the scapes from emerging. By trimming the bulb down so that the neck is not narrow, it allow scapes to emerge without being pinched and the bulb doesn't split (the bulb doesn't always split, sometimes the scape can't get out so it just withers and rots in the bulb).

Sorry Hans-Werner, but I'm not sure what an insecticide has to do with the structure of the bulb, but do agree that it is good practice! I trim up bulbs as part of the fall maintenance and dust the cut surface with Captan. I do use a good systemic insecticide and saw no signs of mites or insects. Since I overwinter in a protected environment (the pop-up greenhouse) and the bulbs get no water during the winter, I don't have to worry about water getting into the bulb.

Maybe this is all just my preference, but as we all know with Hippeastrum hybrids, what works for one may not work for another. It's standard practice for me and prevents aborting of scapes and bulb injury.

Respectfully,
Kristi
haweha
13 years ago
>>necks get sucessively narrower and tall. This (at least at my house) restricts the scapes from emerging.

I cannot exclude, that this might apply for SOME hybrids.
However! I assume, that the problems that you observe with "long necks" are due to another problem.

What I can say about rupture of fleshy bulb scales through expanding scapes is, that the infection from bulb scale mites is responsible for this. (This answers the Q what the use of an insecticide has to do with the structure of the bulb)

What systemic insecticide do you apply?
kaboehm (zone 9a, TX USA)
Original Author
13 years ago
I use the Bayer 3-in-1 product. Other than the batch of bulbs that have arrived this season with diseases, I have never encountered red blotch or mites. Yes, I have been lucky, but I use the systemic religiously. I have received several unhealthy bulbs this year, and other than Exotic Star an a couple others that seem to grow longer necks, I've never had a problem with scape entrapment. Only in new bulbs that I get that haven't been cut down as far as I would typically do.

Sounds like I am just getting unhealthy bulbs this year.
K
joshy46013
13 years ago
I've never had this problem, I don't trim anything down, when the leaves die back I just gently tug and the pop off. I noticed on my bulbs that the scape doesn't get to mature sizes until it's out the bulbs, when it first emerges it's much smaller and gets larger as it gets taller. I've had some bloom closer to the bulb that were new acquisitions, I've heard this is from too little moisture?

I have noticed that many bulbs I got this season were infected with mites...
kaboehm (zone 9a, TX USA)
Original Author
13 years ago
Josh,
Do species do this too? I know this is your first year with the hybrids...just curious. I've never had so many sick bulbs arrive at my doorstep.
K
joshy46013
13 years ago
Kristi,

I haven't had any trouble with my species doing this but that doesn't mean they don't. I do notice that as the bulb grows quickly many times the outside scales may rip a bit.

I have had lots of trouble with the hybrids I bought this year, I was starting to wonder if it's always like this and if it's worth buying them :( I was really disappointed with the amount of bugs and disease I got with a VERY reputable dealer that everyone absolutely loves. They've been the best I've seen overall... The majority seems to have had mites. I've also noticed virus in quite a few hybrids which can really only be expected with mass plantings and I'm sure they don't clean the tools after every chop to the leaves considering many grow on a very large scale. Some plants I got are absolutely beautiful and I've decided to keep very few, I would probably say I've spent a good thousand dollars on bulbs this past season...

Josh

Related Stories

HOUSEPLANTS How to Force Amaryllis Bulbs Indoors

By creative jewish mom.com

Enjoy vibrant red blossoms even as gardens turn snowy white, by teaching this hardy repeat performer to ignore the calendar

DIY PROJECTS Holiday DIY: Mason Jar Forced Bulbs and Evergreen Gift Tags

Learn how to make these winter projects from the book ‘Garden Made’ by Stephanie Rose

GARDENING GUIDES Gardening With Kids: How to Plant Bulbs

By Alison Hodgson

You don't need expertise to get flowering bulbs in the ground in fall — but kids will feel like gardening pros come spring

GARDENING GUIDES 7 Bulbs That Flourish in Mild Climates

Fall planting: For gardens that don't see harsh winters, different guidelines for choosing and planting spring-blooming bulbs apply

GARDENING GUIDES 7 Tropical Bulbs for a Summer Garden That Wows

By Steve Asbell

Try these stunners in summer's powerful heat for garden thrills with an exotic flair

BASEMENTS Basement of the Week: Smart Cost Cutting, Beautiful Results

By Becky Harris

A stylish multipurpose basement for less than half the usual cost? See the budget-saving tricks that helped this underground space

FLOWERS Best Cutting-Garden Beauties for Late Summer

By Paintbox Garden

Pick blooms bursting with color or in classic white for bouquets to give away or keep all to yourself

BUDGET DECORATING Simple Pleasures: Treat Yourself to Cut Flowers

By Laura Gaskill

Enjoy priceless beauty with just a few inexpensive stems — and you don’t need fancy vases, either

GARDENING GUIDES Fall Is Calling: What to Do in Your October Garden

By Annie Thornton

Get a jump on winter prep or just sit back and watch the leaves fall. The beauty of an autumn garden is in all the choices you have

FALL GARDENING 7 Reasons Not to Clean Up Your Fall Garden

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Before you pluck and rake, consider wildlife, the health of your plants and your own right to relax

Sponsored

More Discussions

Happy New year for 2024

5