Amaryllis, Hippeastrum x hybridum, have stunning blooms that are striking in the garden and displayed superbly indoors. Ipomoeas are flowering bushes and trees in zones 9-11 that have been cultivated for centuries, and can also be propagated and grown indoors year-round. Since they naturally grow wild, they have become one of the most popular additions to holiday decorations.
You can propagate amaryllis in three ways which include planting seeds, separating offsets, and dividing bulbs. Let us discuss today what it takes to grow amaryllis from seed, and what it is like to succeed in the process.
What Is The Purpose of Producing Amaryllis From Seeds?
The plants take up to five years to bloom from seed, depending on the variety of the plant. It may make sense to collect seeds from existing plants if the kinds of amaryllis already available are too expensive or hard to find.
It is important to note, however, that most of these plants are hybrids, and the seeds you collect will not necessarily produce plants that are true to the parent plant but may exhibit some characteristics of the parent plant.
Due to the ease at which they hybridize, cross pollinate and gathering seeds from your own plants can easily produce a whole new, unique variety.
A bulb resection or separating offsets are good methods for producing clones of a parent plant.
It is better to purchase seeds from other gardeners or through pollination and hybridization of your own flowers since they are not as readily available on the market.
If you choose only one plant, you can still do this because the flowers are self-fertile. Plants that are crossbred will not produce a perfect clone but may retain some of the parents’ characteristics.
It is possible to experiment with cross-pollination if you have multiple varieties. By brushing a small paintbrush gently on the anthers of how amaryllis flowers are brushed, it is possible to collect the pollen that they are producing and use it in their own flower growing.
Next, you’ll gently brush the pollen from the stigma of one flower to the stigma of another one – or to the stigma of the same flower. An anthers’ stigma emerges from the center of the flower at the top of the style. To ensure successful pollination, repeat this process once a day for a few days to ensure the best results.
Once the bloom fades, you will see a small green pod forming at the base of the bloom, in between the petals. The pod eventually swells and turns dark brown, becomes dry, and splits open, leading to a mealy appearance. The fruit typically will not completely ripen until at least four to six weeks after harvest.
A Guide To Harvesting Seeds
Indoor plants will be pollinated by hand, but outdoor flowers are likely to be pollinated by insects.
How To Sow
If your seeds do not germinate, add a layer of perlite or vermiculite to the potting mix to improve drainage before direct planting. Cover with a little potting medium, about eighteenth of an inch deep, and water in well if using flats or one inch apart in a container.
Keep the soil from becoming waterlogged, but give it the right amount of moisture so that the soil stays dry throughout the year. You’ll know they germinated when you see their grass-like leaves in three to five weeks.
In addition, if the seeds need to be germinated before being planted in the soil, they can be sown separately. A big advantage to starting a large number of seeds is that you can plant only the ones that germinate.
You can fix this by placing the papers in water and letting them float on top of the water. Put at least 1 inch of tepid water in a bowl or clear glass. Spread the seeds on top, discarding any that sink to the bottom, as these will not germinate.
Keep the container covered with a loose lid, and keep the container somewhere warm, where you will remember to check on it daily and top up the water if it has evaporated.
Germination of viable seeds can take a few weeks, resulting in a single root. Seedlings are ready to plant when the root of the seedling measures half an inch or longer.
You can sprout seeds in a sealed ziplock bag with a moist paper towel wrapped around them. Don’t let the paper dry out – check on the bag daily and mist with water.
You can plant the roots when they are half an inch long. Seedlings can be started in individual or group containers by seeding in a well-draining, sterile potting mixture. You need the containers to be between three and four inches deep.
Make a small hole with a toothpick. Place the roots gently into the hole, making sure the casing is just barely covered with soil. The seedlings do not mind being a little crowded if there is a little space between them. The flowers need to be watered gently and placed in a warm location out of direct sunlight.
Remember to date your pots and label them! Roots grow into bulblets, which are transplanted into larger pots once they are established.
How To Collect The Seeds
The pod can be cut off once it has dried and cracks open. There will be plenty! Pods are usually divided into three sections containing 50-60 seeds each. Set the ripe pod in a dark place in the sun for a few days to let it dry out more.
Let the seeds drop from the pod over a plate or bowl as you shake the pod. Anything that appears to be damaged or moldy should be discarded. Let them dry for a few more days – or up to a week – on a paper plate or tray.
After drying, plant the seeds immediately since they have a short shelf life and do not store well. They do not need cold stratification because they are tropical plants.
When dry for one week and then stored in a cool, dark, shaded, and cool place like a pantry, you can store them for up to a month. Do not let them sit in storage for too long before they lose viability.
In the first year, sprouts will appear similar to blades of grass, and then slowly grow each year. If you want to fertilize your seedlings there needs to be fertilizer applied once every one or two weeks. You can use MiracleGro All Purpose Plant Food diluted 1/4 strength with water.
Use MiracleGro All Purpose Plant Food
Don’t use it directly on the plants; it can hurt them. In warmer weather, such as greenhouses or on windowsills with plenty of indirect light, seedlings should be kept. Watering should be discontinuous, but the soil should not become completely dry between waterings. A grow light is ideal during the winter.
Plant the seedlings into 6-inch pots when their foliage reaches 4 to 6 inches. This gives the bulbs sufficient room to grow. You need to have patience. There may be times when leaves look brown and die, but don’t worry, new leaves will grow to replace them. As all of this takes place, bulbs slowly grow under the soil.
Plants may not go dormant in the winter during their developmental stage, but growth may slow during the first two to three years. A plant may enter its first dormant phase after the second or third year. You should expect a spectacular bloom soon. This is a good sign that the bulb is growing and creating a flower. After that, blooms should appear once a year with good care.
I’m So Glad I Waited
Yes, starting amaryllis from seed is a process that requires patience, yet the reward is well worth the wait in my opinion. In years to come, you’ll be able to create brand new hybrids and be rewarded with enticing displays of unique and colorful flowers.