Rules for caring for Amaryllis in winter: features of growth and storage

The decoration of my garden - amaryllis, sheds leaves in mid-September and plunges into a state of dormancy until spring. Its growth characteristics are such that rest is vital to recuperate before the active growing season.

Just starting to grow amaryllis, I almost ruined one luxurious pink variety.

The fact is that a cultivated plant cannot completely stop its internal growth processes by itself - it needs help.

The inexperience cost me the weakened bulbs not blooming the next year!

But after reading the relevant literature, I decided on the right actions.

Already in the last days of August, I begin to water the flowers less often and do not add top dressing. I move the pots to cool - so that it is about + 10 ° C. At the same time, I wait until all the leaves turn yellow, wither and cut them close to the bulb.

After September 20, I remove the amaryllis bulbs from the pots, carefully peel them off the ground and use small scissors to remove dry, damaged particles of the root system.

Someone advises to disinfect the bulbs before harvesting for storage, but I have always neglected this, because amaryllis seems to me to be an amazingly strong flower.

The planting material must "overwinter" under strictly defined conditions:

· No sunlight;

Air temperature from +2 to + 15 ° С;

· Minimum air humidity.

Ideally, you can keep it in the cellar, but I successfully stored it on a cold balcony - spread it out in a wooden box and wrapped each bulb in toilet paper.

It is impossible to leave directly in a pot with soil - there the bulbs would be deprived of air access. And be sure to protect them from subzero temperatures! If it is below 0, the amaryllis died.

Thus, I keep the bulbs until the end of February (when it is already possible to plant them for forcing), not forgetting about once every 2 weeks, pull them out and examine them for damage, signs of disease or rotting.

Once I was faced with the fact that winter was approaching, but the leaves of the faded amaryllis were still green!

Scientists have not yet understood why a flower can confuse spring with autumn so much, but it is well known that amaryllis is contraindicated to force it to rest, that is, to cut off green leaves, dig it up.

Better - to trust nature, let it remain as it turns out. Surely it will bloom for the new season, and after it - will restore its "biological clock".