Getting your hippeastrum (Amaryllis) to bloom

摘要

There are so many spectacular hippeastrum cultivars available, it's hard not to succumb. In addition to the reds and the whites, there are orange, salmon and white with red or pink singles and doubles, just to name a few There are patterned doubles aswell, such as the white and orange striped 'Dancing Queen' There are even yellow cultivars. For a different look, there are the wispy, spider-like cybister hybrids and the evergreen species, Papilio, so named because it is reminiscent of an exotic butterfly The Japanese have even bred miniatures that fit into a teacup. All in all over 100 cultivars are currently available. Most local garden centers carry hippeastrums. They usually arrive in October in time for the holiday season. It pays to get to your garden center early because the longer they sit around, the more people mix them up. They can also be purchased on-line.