Hippeastrum is one of the most common indoor plants. Hippeastrum is often called amaryllis, but there is a difference between these plants: hippeastrums bloom from late winter to early summer, and amaryllis - in autumn. In addition, hippeastrums have a larger flower arrow.
What kind of hippeastrum is it?
The plant has a fleshy bulb and dark green broad-line leaves. Hippeastrum flowers, two or four, are collected in an umbrella. They are brightly colored, with pointed petals, and develop on a leafless, hollow peduncle.
The plant is hardy and light-loving.
How to plant hippeastrum bulbs correctly?
Hippeastrum bulbs are sold in all flower shops - all you have to do is plant the plant correctly and provide it with proper care.
Hippeastrums are replanted once every three years, only the top layer of soil is changed annually.
Hippeastrum bulbs need to be placed separately on a layer of drainage in small pots - the distance between the wall and the bulb was 3-4 cm. Then, to a depth of about 2/3 of the bulb, you need to fill it with ordinary flower soil so that the upper edge with the head protrudes above the ground.
The pot with hippeastrum should be placed in a warm, bright place (on the windowsill above the radiator). And after flowering, you can move it to a sunny and warm place in the room or keep the plant outdoors from late May to late autumn.
During the dormant period from October to December, the hippeastrum is best left in a dark place at a temperature of 12-15 "C.
How to water hippeastrum?
After planting the bulbs in winter, the substrate should be kept slightly moist, and when the flower shoot begins to grow, increase watering. For watering, you only need to take warm water; in addition, until the bud opens, the plant must be sprayed frequently.
From mid-August, in preparation for the dormant period, watering of the hippeastrum should be gradually reduced and completely stopped in October.
About once a month, pour water into the pan to prevent the roots from dying. The soil in pots containing resting bulbs should feel dry, not wet. Start moderate watering after transplanting into another pot in mid or late December.
How to fertilize hippeastrum?
During the growing season, hipperastrum should be fertilized weekly with flower fertilizer, and fertilizing should be stopped after the leaves wither and during the dormant period.
Why doesn't hippeastrum bloom?
First of all, check whether you are caring for the plant correctly.
In December - February, pots with bulbs are placed in a warm place with a temperature of 22-25 ° C (for example, near a central heating radiator) and not watered until the flower arrow appears, then the pots are transferred to a bright window and warm water is poured into a tray so that the soil dries out well soaked in it. If the water has cooled down and the top layer of soil in the pot is still dry, replace the cooled water with warm water several times. At this time, the hippeastrum is watered very sparingly until the flower shoot reaches 8-10 cm in height, since otherwise the leaves will grow and the flowers will not develop. After this, watering is gradually increased.
A month after flowering, the hippeastrum is transplanted into a fresh earth mixture made up of leaf, humus and turf soil with an admixture of washed coarse sand (1: 2: 1: 1), or into ready-made soil for begonias.
You can grow hippeastrum without a dormant period. In this case, they are kept all year round in a sunny window in a warm room and watered with warm water as the soil dries out. With this care, they bloom twice a year: in October - November and between March and May, the leaves remain healthy and do not lose their decorative effect.
The flowering period of hippeastrum can be extended if the bulbs are gradually replanted from the beginning of March and encouraged to germinate. Trim each wilted flower at the base.
Many gardeners who have recently acquired a hippeastrum indoor plant? They often ask if he needs a period of rest. The hippeastrum should subside. This will allow you to regulate its flowering period and improve vegetative development.
The rest period of the hippeastrum - when it occurs and how it proceeds
When and how should hippeastrum be put to sleep and why does hippeastrum need a rest period:
- hippeastrum needs a rest period to regulate flowering and normal development- any experienced florist will say the same. You need to put to rest those bulbs that bloomed in the spring. Young bulbs (under three years of age) do not need to be sent to rest. In some cases, hippeastrum blooms once in the spring, and a second time closer to October-November. In this case, the hippeastrum bulb is put to rest if it does not send out new leaves after flowering. This can be checked by spreading the middle of the crown at the base of the leaves. If no new forcing is expected there and the hippeastrum does not bloom, then the plant can be prepared for sleep;
- The hippeastrum is prepared for the rest period as follows: it is NOT WATERED AT ALL. They start doing this in mid-September. By the end of September, the plant with its lush crown is moved to a dark and cool place where there is no sun rays at all or their amount is minimal. The room temperature should not rise above 13 degrees. In such conditions, the leaves of the hippeastrum begin to dry out and, as they become dead, they are removed. It is not recommended to cut off the still green leaves and thus forcibly send the hippeastrum into a dormant period. All nutrients from the leaves must go into the bulb. By cutting off the green leaves, you deprive the bulb of a significant supply of nutrients. As a result, the plant, even if it has planted a flowering arrow, will bloom sparingly and instead of 4-5 buds it will throw out only 1 or 2 pieces;
- the dormant period of the hippeastrum begins when it begins to shed its leaves. They lose color and begin to dry out. As a result, the plant loses its entire crown. Hippeastrum without foliage should be kept in a dark and cool place until January-February. At this time, the bulb cannot be watered, otherwise it will rot;
- the rest period of the hippeastrum ends when it begins to throw out a flower-bearing arrow. If this does not happen, the plant begins to wake up on its own. It is taken out to a warm and well-lit place and carefully watered. In this case, you don’t need a lot of liquid, again, so that the onion doesn’t rot.
Hippeastrums in the garden in summer. In such cases, they are dug up in September and transferred from the soil in pots to a warm room. However, there is no need to stimulate the further development of the plant (growth of a green crown) at home. It is better to immediately move the pot with the plant to a dark and cool place and wait until the flower begins to shed its leaves. During the same period, it is possible to separate the adult bulb from possible children that formed in the summer.
Hippeastrum is a very beautiful bulbous perennial plant of the Amaryllidaceae family, which is very popular among gardeners for its high decorative qualities. Hippeastrum is native to South America. Monotonous, dull, dusty and flat steppes for many, many kilometers, which completely burn out in the summer under the merciless scorching sun, turning into a desert - the usual conditions for the growth of hippeastrum.
Hippeastrums have adapted to such a life. During the period of heavy spring rains, they quickly come to life, and the steppes are covered with a continuous carpet of blooming hippeastrums.
But there are especially many hippeastrums in Brazil. Brazilian hippeastrums, growing on desert plateaus and high-mountain meadows, have very beautiful flower colors: red on the outside and white on the inside. Also found in the wild is a species of hippeastrum with bright red, carmine flowers that shimmer like velvet in the sun.
In North America, there is a special type of Virginian hippeastrum, which grows in damp and shady forests. The flowers of this type of hippeastrum are of variable color: at the beginning of flowering they are purple, gradually the color becomes less intense and turns into pink, and then the flowers become white.
Often flower hippeastrum confused with amaryllis. However, experts will never confuse them: amaryllis has only one species - amaryllis belladonna, or beautiful (Amaryllis belladonna), the color of amaryllis flowers is mainly pink, amaryllis blooms in autumn and blooms in winter.
Among the hybrid hippeastrums, there are so many different shades and colors of flowers that it’s amazing, from snow-white to purple. Hippeastrum flowers are very large, can reach 20 cm in diameter, and there are up to six flowers on a peduncle. Hippeastrum blooms in spring or late winter. If you wish, you can force hippeastrum to bloom twice a year, which cannot be done with amaryllis. The leaves of the hippeastrum are belt-shaped, dark green in color, can grow along with the blooming of flowers, and sometimes appear after flowering.
Hippeastrum care
Dishes. Narrow and tall pots are better suited for growing hippeastrum, because in addition to the bulb, the hippeastrum also has roots that are quite long and during the dormant period they do not die off, but continue to feed the bulb.
You also need to observe the planting depth of the hippeastrum. The bulb should rise from the ground by one third. And don’t try to fill the pot too much with soil; it’s better to wait until it settles on its own and add soil to the desired height. Pots should not be too wide in size; it is enough if the distance between the wall of the pot and the bulb is only 2-3 cm. In too wide a container, hippeastrum may not bloom for a long time.
Earth mixture: turf soil, peat, sand, humus in a ratio of 2:1:1:1. The soil mixture for hippeastrums must be nutritious, water- and breathable with a neutral or alkaline pH reaction of the soil. Also do not forget about the drainage layer. Also, when transplanting hippeastrum, you can use ready-made purchased soil for bulbous plants.
Lighting. Hippeastrum is a light-loving plant, so it is advisable to keep it on south-west, south or south-east windows. The light can be either direct sunlight or bright diffused light. Hippeastrum hybrids that lose leaves during the dormant period can be moved to a cooler, darker place with the hippeastrum bulb.
Air temperature. Hippeastrum grows well at room temperature. In summer, the usual room temperature is +20 +25 0 C. In winter, the air temperature may be slightly lower.
Watering. At the beginning of winter, in order for the hippeastrum to wake up and come out of the dormant period, it is placed on a bright window. During this period, the hippeastrum has no leaves, it is not watered, otherwise the bulb can easily be destroyed. Until the flower arrow appears, the hippeastrum does not need to be watered. After the peduncle appears and until the flower shoot grows to 7-10 cm, watering the hippeastrum should be weak, otherwise the leaves will begin to grow to the detriment of the flowers. It is better to water in a tray or along the edge of the pot, without getting water on the bulb. As the peduncle grows, watering increases.
After the hippeastrum blooms, the leaves and bulb begin to grow, new flower stalks are laid for the next year, during this period watering should be regular. By the end of summer, watering stops. At this time, the hippeastrum begins a period of rest. The pot with hippeastrum can be placed in a cool place and not watered. If the room temperature is high, you can water it little by little occasionally to prevent the bulb from drying out. Hippeastrum does not need high air humidity, so it does not need air spraying; it prefers dry conditions.
Top dressing. The first fertilizing of the hippeastrum can be done when the height of the flower shoot is approximately 15 cm. If the hippeastrum has recently been transplanted and there are enough nutrients in the soil, fertilizing can be done later. When feeding, focus on phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. They promote flowering, accumulation of nutrients in the bulb, and the formation of future flower stalks. But it is better to exclude nitrogen fertilizers, they can provoke gray rot, and the plant can be irretrievably lost.
Transfer. 30-40 days after the end of flowering, the hippeastrum can be replanted. Annual replanting is not at all necessary, but in this case, change the top layer of soil every year, because hippeastrum quickly consumes nutrients from the soil, and this will later affect flowering. You can also replant hippeastrum before it comes out of dormancy, that is, at the end of December.
Rest period. Hippeastrum needs a period of rest in order to bloom annually. It usually lasts from late summer to late October. When preparing hippeastrum for the dormant period from the end of summer, you need to limit watering and fertilizing. In many hippeastrums, the leaves die off completely.
Hippeastrum, if desired, can be grown without a pronounced dormant period. Then it should be kept all year round on a bright, sunny window in a warm room, watered with warm water as the soil dries out, preferably in a tray. With this care, hippeastrum can bloom in the fall in October - November or in the spring in March - May. The dark green leaves of hippeastrum remain healthy throughout the year and do not lose their beauty.
Reproduction of hippeastrum. Hippeastrum is easily propagated by daughter bulbs that are completely identical to the mother plant. Children more than two centimeters are separated from the main bulb during transplantation. Young plants bloom in 2-3 years.
But what to do if some varietal hippeastrums do not produce children? In this case, hippeastrum can be propagated as follows: cut a healthy hippeastrum bulb into two to four parts with a clean and sharp knife so that each lobe has a part of the bottom. Carefully treat the onion sections with crushed coal and dry for two to three days. After the cut dries, each share can be added to a mixture of sand and peat or perlite. There is no need to bury such an onion; it should simply lie with its bottom on the surface of the earthen mixture.
But you can not completely cut the hippeastrum bulb to the end, but just make deep cuts so that the bulb is divided into two or four parts, but does not fall apart completely. The sections are treated in the same way with crushed coal and also dried for two to three days. After which the bulb is simply placed on an earthen mixture of sand and peat or perlite. Watering of such bulbs is carried out only through a tray. After some time, babies appear at the base of the cut onion.
Hippeastrum can be pollinated and propagated by seeds. In this case, sometimes a completely unpredictable result is obtained (so to speak, the breeder is his own breeder).
After pollination of the hippeastrum, a seed box is formed on the peduncle. In this case, there is no need to remove the peduncle; wait until the seeds ripen. But remember that such a procedure can greatly weaken the bulb, which will again affect flowering in the future: the flowers will be smaller, or the plant will not bloom at all. It is good to carry out experiments with hippeastrum seeds in open ground, where bees fly and the bulb will gain nutrients from the ground while the seeds are ripening.
Hippeastrum seeds are sown immediately after collection, otherwise they quickly lose their viability. Planting of seeds to a depth of one centimeter, seedlings appear in two to three weeks. Hippeastrum seedlings are light-loving, so place them in a bright place. To help small hippeastrums grow better, you can feed them with a weak solution of liquid mineral fertilizers. Young hippeastrums do not need a rest period.
Pests. The main pests of hippeastrum are spider mites, mealybugs, scale insects, and onion mites. Pests visible to the naked eye can be removed manually with a sponge or cotton wool soaked in an alcohol solution, after which the plant is repeatedly treated with a solution of Actellik, Fitoverm or Karbofos.
When planting in open ground, do not plant hippeastrum next to other bulbous plants, such as lilies, otherwise hippeastrum may be damaged by onion mite. The bottom of the bulb begins to rot and gradually the entire bulb rots.
Diseases. One of the most dangerous diseases of hippeastrum is red bulb burn, or staganosporosis. At the first detection of red stains and dots on the hippeastrum bulb, without regret, cut out all foci of infection to healthy tissue. Trim off any affected leaves and dead roots. All sections and the bulb itself must be treated with phytosporin, foundationol, and Maxim.
Dry the treated hippeastrum bulb for a week and see if new foci of infection appear. If everything went well, then plant the hippeastrum bulb in a new pot and a new substrate. At first, minimal watering and only in a tray with solutions of phytosporin and foundation to ensure disinfection. In this case, planting the bulb should be as high as possible, this will allow you to control the condition of the bulb. If everything goes well, then the soil can then be filled to the desired height. The main thing is to preserve the onion.
In addition to the red burn, hippeastrum can be affected by anthracnose and fusarium. Treatment is almost the same as for a red burn: removal of damaged tissue, repeated treatments with phytosporin, foundationazole, Maxim.
Remember, diseases appear from an incorrectly selected soil mixture, excess nitrogen fertilizers, improper watering (too much, or water got into the middle of the bulb), from lack of light. If the keeping conditions are chosen correctly, then the hippeastrum will delight you with its flowering for a long time.
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Once every 3 years during the rest period
During the growing season - 18-25, during the dormant period 10-12 During the growing season - when the top layer of soil dries out, during the dormant period - it decreases Bright light, southwest and southeast windows A period of rest is required; the sap of the plant is poisonous.Lighting
Hippeastrum loves bright light. Therefore, the optimal place for it is window sills facing southwest, southeast or south. Can tolerate direct sunlight.
However, constant exposure to the bright rays of the sun is not recommended. Therefore, if the flower is located on a south window, it is better to create diffused light using, for example, transparent tulle.
It is recommended to periodically rotate the plant around its axis so that it does not stretch out, but maintains a compact shape. In winter, during the growing season, lighting with fluorescent lamps is recommended. At this time, daylight hours for hippeastrum should last about 10 hours.
Temperature
During the growing season (winter - early summer), hippeastrum feels great at room temperature - 18-25 degrees. The plant does not like stagnant air, drafts and heat from heating appliances. It is important to consider these points when placing the pot.
It is important to avoid sudden changes in temperature, since in this case the growth of the peduncle stops. If this happens, you need to increase the temperature to 30 degrees, and the flower will begin to grow again.
At the end of summer, the hippeastrum begins a dormant period. From this time on, the temperature must be gradually lowered. During storage of the bulb, the optimal temperature is 10-12 degrees.
Watering
Proper watering plays an important role for the normal growth and development of hippeastrum. Since under natural conditions it grows in arid areas, waterlogging can be detrimental to it.
It is necessary to water the plant regularly during the growing season, but not abundantly.
It is better that the top layer of soil dries well before the next watering. It is important that water does not get on the bulb. It is recommended to use bottom watering through a tray. When the flower takes the necessary moisture, the remaining water must be drained from the pan.
At the end of summer, watering should be gradually reduced. The flower begins a dormant period when it does not need moisture. The pot should be placed in a cool place and watering should be stopped completely. At the end of December - beginning of February, it is placed in a bright place, but is not watered until the peduncle appears.
After this, watering should be light so that the flower grows and not the leaves. When the “arrow” reaches 7-10 cm, watering becomes more regular and abundant. It should remain this way after flowering, when the bulb and leaves grow and flower stalks form for the next year.
Hippeastrum does not need spraying. Leaves can be wiped from dust with a damp cloth.
Hippeastrum prefers loose soil with plenty of nutrients. Possible composition options:
- Humus, leaf soil (1:3);
- Humus, leaf soil, turf soil, coarse sand (1:2:2:2);
- Peat, river sand, turf soil (1:1:1).
It is preferable that the soil has a slightly alkaline or neutral reaction (not higher than 6.0 pH).
It is recommended to sterilize the soil before planting. to prevent the plant from becoming infected with diseases or pests. To do this, you can pour boiling water over the soil and keep it in a hot oven for 15-20 minutes or in the cold for 3-5 hours.
It is very important to have a 2-3 cm layer of drainage in the pot. It will prevent stagnation of moisture in the soil and, accordingly, rotting of the root system.
Fertilizer
During the dormant period, fertilizing is not needed. The first feeding is carried out when the peduncle has reached 7-10 cm in height. Regularity – once every 14-20 days.
Fertilizers must contain potassium and phosphorus, which promote flowering, it is better to avoid nitrogen fertilizers. You can use liquid complex fertilizers for flowering plants.
In indoor conditions, hybrid hippeastrum is most often found. Many of its varieties are combined into 9 groups:
- Simple grandiflora
- Simple medium-flowered
- Simple small-flowered
- Tubular
- Terry large-flowered
- Terry medium-flowered
- Terry small-flowered
- Sibistr
- Orchids
Useful video
Now you know everything about caring for hippeastrum at home and about growing the flower.
Hippeastrum (lat. Hippeastrum) is a genus of plants in the Amaryllidaceae family, which includes about 90 species common in the tropics and subtropics of America. The largest number of hippeastrum species are found in the Amazon River basin. The name of the genus is derived from two ancient Greek words meaning “horseman” and “star”. The hippeastrum plant came to Europe in the 16th century and quickly became popular among gardeners. In 1799, the first hippeastrum hybrid appeared, and in the sixties of the 19th century there were already about a hundred plant varieties.
Features of hippeastrum transplantation at home
If you dream of getting larger flowers and more lush leaves, you should transplant the hippeastrum directly into the flowerbed for the summer. Here the plant can gain strength until September. There is no need to wait for the first cold nights; it is better to return the plant to home conditions in advance. 
Hippeastrum depletes the soil over time, despite fertilizing and proper care. Therefore, it needs to be replanted into new soil at least once every two or three years. But you need to have a good idea of how to transplant hippeastrum. This can be done only a month after flowering has completed. As a rule, the time when you can replant a flower is the end of August. You can also transplant the bulb in December, during the dormant period. Replant with extreme caution so as not to damage the roots of the plant. After destroying the earthen clod, cut off all the dried roots and sprinkle the cut areas with crushed charcoal. After this, plant the bulb in new soil. 
If you bought this flower in a store, then it is not necessary to replant it in the first year. It is quite possible to get by by replacing the top layer of soil without removing the flower from the pot. It is very important to know whether hippeastrum can be replanted during flowering.
Time to transplant hippeastrum at home
Since Hippeástrum bulbs very quickly extract all nutrients from the soil, it is advisable to replant the flower twice a year. Young bulbs are subject to frequent transshipment. But flower growers still prefer to leave perennials untouched for four to five years, provided that the flower, when cultivated at home, regularly throws out arrows with inflorescences and does not get sick. 
The best time to transplant the hippeastrum:
- the initial phase of hibernation is the end of September;
- the end of the dormant period is early spring.
Beginning flower growers should know that hippeastrum cannot be replanted during vigorous flowering. This should be done before the inflorescences are released or after the flowering arrow has dried out. 
- if the plant bulb is sick, it has a so-called “red burn” or “red rot”;
- if mature children take away the plant’s strength;
- if hippeastrum does not bloom for a long time, the bulbs can delay the release of inflorescences for several years;
- if the bulb has reached the diameter of the container in which it was planted.
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If a beautifully blooming hippeastrum is purchased in a store, the flower requires replanting within one week. The soil in which the purchased specimen is planted is depleted. The bulb, under the influence of stimulants, spends energy on the release of the largest inflorescence, after which it needs rehabilitation - mandatory transshipment. 
Pot and soil for transplanting hippeastrum at home
The size of the pot will directly depend on the size of the hippeastrum bulb. Please note: when planting, the bulb should be placed in the middle of the pot, leaving 5 cm to each edge. Thus, the pot for this flower must be at least 15 cm in diameter. 
As for the height of the pot, on the contrary, it should not be too high, because the bulb does not need to be completely immersed in the soil (its upper part remains half above the ground). In addition, at the bottom of the pot it will be necessary to lay out drainage from stones, and above it there is still a fairly large layer of soil.
Before preparing the soil, it is necessary to lay out a drainage layer on the bottom of the dish. Expanded clay and pebbles are quite suitable; the use of small pieces of red brick is allowed. The drainage layer should be 5 cm. This will help the plants quickly get rid of excess water, preventing rotting of the root system. The mixture must have excellent nutritional properties, be water-permeable, and breathe normally. The soil characteristics must be either neutral or alkaline. You can simplify the task by purchasing ready-made soil intended for bulbous plants.
Caring for hippeastrum at home
Watering hippeastrum
The intensity of watering of hippeastrum is directly related to its life cycle. However, it is important to provide the plant not only with the required amount of moisture, but also to correctly deliver it to the root system. 
For example, it is not recommended to pour water on the onion - it may rot. It is better to combine top watering with tray watering. In this way, the moisture will be evenly distributed throughout the earthen ball, which will prevent rotting of the roots. The main rule for watering hippeastrum: it is better to underwater than to overwater. You also need to regularly wipe the leaves from dust or wash them with warm water.
Required room temperature
The ideal temperature at which the plant feels quite comfortable is the range from 17 to 25 degrees Celsius. Moreover, in winter it can be lowered slightly. But temperature changes are still undesirable, since this can negatively affect the growth of the hippeastrum. A drop in air temperature by a slight 5 degrees can make the flowering process impossible. That is why you need to carefully monitor the stability of the temperature in the room. 
Light mode for hippeastrum
This plant loves light very much, and this should never be forgotten. Direct sunlight is not scary for him, but it is still better to avoid such situations. The best place to place a pot with a plant is considered to be the south, southwest or southeast sides. Diffused light is preferable.
During the dormant period, hybrids of this plant actively lose leaves, which is why it is recommended to move it to a darker place with a lower temperature during this period.
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How to properly feed hippeastrum?
The composition of the fertilizer depends on the stage of development. The most important element is potassium. Fertilize approximately once every two weeks.
During the flowering period, emphasis is placed on phosphorus-potassium and a low nitrogen content.
At the beginning of the growing season, the emphasis is on nitrogen-potassium, in the middle nitrogen-phosphorus in equal proportions, slightly more potassium.
A month before the dormant period, feeding is stopped.
A few rules: you can’t fertilize on dry soil, after replanting, the first fertilizing is no earlier than 1.5-2 months, carefully read the instructions and dilute according to the instructions, do not overdose. 
Reproduction of hippeastrum at home
Hippeastrum can be propagated by separating daughter bulbs, dividing the main bulb into parts, or growing from seeds. As a rule, it is easier and better to use the first 2 methods. To do this, you need to plant daughter bulbs or part of the main bulb with roots and bottom in soil consisting of sand, turf soil and peat, keep the soil moist and the air temperature 24-25 0 C. When the bulbs adapt and new plants begin to sprout from them, they need to be planted in separate pots, which should not be excessively large, it is better to use pots slightly larger than the size of the bulb, preferably the distance between the edges of the pot and the bulb is no more than 5 cm. In this case, the bulbs should be buried no more than half into the soil! After transplanting, use the above concepts for caring for adult plants.
