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Amaryllis/Hippeastrum

amaryllis problems

Linda_in_Ottawa

18 years ago

I bought an amaryllis about a year ago. It produced some leaves but no flower stalk. The leaves were quite floppy.

In the summer, I put it out in the garden and it produced even more leaves. When I brought it in in October/November all the leaves turned yellow and fell off within a couple of days. I think it may have been the light levels - it's in a north-facing room that is fairly dark, and was about eight feet from the window. Now, it's just got a little green stub sticking out of the top and has been that way for a couple of months.

Is there anything I can do to make it re-grow its leaves and bloom, or should I just give it away to someone who has more light?

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Comments (6)

kniphofia
18 years ago
I wouldn't worry too much, if your bulb produced leaves in summer it was building up reserves. When you brought it inside it probably entered its normal dormancy.

Don't water too much until it starts growing again. With luck you might get a flower stem this year.
Amanda (asarumgreenpanda, z6MA)
18 years ago
I agree with kniphfia: don't worry too much (as long as the bulb is firm, not soft or squishy), and don't water too much until you see active growth. My hippeastrum often lose their leaves if I leave them out through late fall (November), when night temps dip into the low 40s and high 30sF.

Warmth--particularly bottom heat--sometimes helps convince these guys to grow again.

Amanda
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Amanda (asarumgreenpanda, z6MA)
18 years ago
kniphOfia--sorry! I love Kniphofia (the plants) and do know how to spell that word...I'm a poor typist.

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soultan
16 years ago
Maria,

This reminds me of our Sugar Candies... Is yours still non-responsive just as mine? Does it still sit (not pretty) without leaves or sign of life besides having nice roots in the ground? I don't know what to do to it. This bulb really frustrates me. I got store credit for it from John Scheepers, so I might buy Rembrandt van Rijn on this credit, since I cannot have another Sugar Candy, they are not offering it anymore. Might it be that it is a problematic bulb and variety?
mariava7
16 years ago
Soultan...My Sugar Candy gave me scapes and leafed out some. Veeeerrrry slowly. It is resting right now with 2 leaves left and some babies attached. It is one of my early sleepers.
soultan
16 years ago
It is one of my early sleepers too. Didn't even wake up... I am frustrated with it... Never really had a bulb that just simply refused to do Anything.

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