Hydroponic Amaryllis

Hi everyone! I hope you're doing well. Today, I'm thrilled to share some insights from my amaryllis program. Amaryllis are stunning, and we grow them hydroponically, an efficient and fascinating method. Let’s dive into how you can nurture these beautiful flowers with the same approach.

Hydroponic Growth of Amaryllis

We utilize standard bulb forcing trays, which you might notice in our operation. You can opt for this style or purchase taller trays from Ampersand, either of which will suffice. Your amaryllis will thrive planted atop spikes and nourished by plain water. Occasionally, we add HydroGard to maintain water cleanliness, but you shouldn’t fret over disease spread as you would with tulips.

Ideal Growing Conditions

While we primarily grow samples for bulb companies, the amaryllis are delightful to behold even under suboptimal conditions. Amaryllis flourish between 70 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit, with 80 degrees being ideal. Our growing space is a bit cooler, at 63 to 65 degrees, as we’re also nurturing other flowers like Dutch irises which prefer cooler climes. Despite these conditions, the amaryllis perform remarkably well.

Transplanting and Retail Applications

Growing amaryllis in planters or pots makes them fantastic retail products. Begin by starting a bunch in trays, then transplant them into pots, ensuring about a quarter to a third of the bulb remains above the soil line. This method is a space-saver compared to initial individual pot planting.

Varieties and Market Strategies

This season, Elvis, Double Dream, and Candy Nymph have been standouts in our collection, offering striking double blooms. Larger bulbs yield multiple spikes, perfect for cut flowers, which should be harvested when buds show color but haven't opened. If planning to sell potted amaryllis to retail customers, aim to have them about 12 inches tall—not yet colored—ideally before Valentine's Day, not just Christmas.

Different Varieties for Different Needs

We ensure to select the right amaryllis varieties for specific uses—both cut flowers and potted plantings. Here is a list of some amaryllis varieties, divided into cut flower and potted plant options, to help with your planning for next season:

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CUT FLOWER AMARYLLIS VARIETIES:

Early (November and December Blooming) Cut Flower Varieties (may be sourced from Southern Hemisphere):

• Ambiance

• Bolero

• Cape Horn

• Carmen

• Charisma

• Denver

• Double King

• Lemon Star

• Malaga

• Mandela

• Minerva

• Olaf

• Picotee/Picasso

• Pink Rival

• Spartacus

• White Amadeus

Regular Season (January+) Cut Flower Varieties:

• Amadeus Candy

• Apple Blossom

• Arctic Nymph

• Doublet

• Evergreen

• Exotic Nymph

• Grand Diva

• Magical Touch

• Moscow

• Naranja

• Pink Surprise

• Pretty Nymph

• Red Lion

• Rosalie

• Santiago

• Splash

• Striped Amadeus

• Sunshine Nymph

• Sweet Nymph

• Terra Cotta Star

• Tres Chic

• Terra Mystica

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POTTED AMARYLLIS VARIETIES

Early (November and December blooming) Potted Varieties (may be sourced from Southern Hemisphere):

• Andes Fire

• Andes Sunset

• Double Pink

• Double Striped

• Orange Soveriegn

Regular Season (January+) Potted Varieties:

• Antarctica

• Bogota

• Bright Nymph

• Candy Nymph

• Cherry Nymph

• Chico

• Double Dream

• Elvas

• Emerald

• Estella

• Exotic Star

• Fairytale

• Fire Ball

• Floris Hekker

• Gervase

• La Paz

• Luna

• Neon

• Papilio

• Pierrot

• Rebecca

• Rilona

Caring for and Storing Bulbs

After initial growth, we pot our bulbs in soil with long-term fertilizer. The photosynthesis from their leaves will nourish the bulbs, occasionally producing bulblets that can be reused. For ideal regrowth, amaryllis bulbs prefer eight weeks at 60 degrees for their winter rest. These tropical flowers will naturally bloom in summer conditions.

Transport and Storage Considerations

For those in cold climates, be cautious of transporting delicate blooms in winter. Amaryllis, as tropical plants, shouldn't be stored below 41 degrees Fahrenheit. It's key to remember for maintaining quality during sales.

Conclusion

I hope you find these insights helpful for your own amaryllis endeavors. For further details, please reference the provided materials in the ProLibrary post. Feel free to reach out with any questions. I wish you a pleasant weekend and look forward to connecting again soon. Happy growing!