Hippeastrum [Cherry Blossom]
A perennial bulb with green, semi-upright, strap-shaped leaves. The flower stem can reach 60cm in height and bears 3 to 4, trumpet-shaped flowers, in creamy white, with the upper petals blushed with pink. The flowers are produced from January to March
0.5-1 metres
0.1-0.5 metres
| Season | Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Plant from October to January using peat-free John Innes No.2 or peat-free multipurpose compost, into pots a little larger than the bulb itself. Two-thirds of the bulb should remain above the surface. Place in a well-lit spot at 21°C. Water sparingly until the new leaves develop and then start watering regularly. Turn the pot regularly to prevent the flower stem from bending toward the light. Once in flower, move the pot to a cool room to extend the flowering period. with a temperature ideally in the region of 15-18°C, and in a sunny position. For growing the plant on after flowering, and how to ensure flowers are produced the following year, see hippeastrum cultivation and bulbs for Christmas flowering for further information
Propagate by dividing clumps of bulbs, removing bulb offsets in autumn, or propagate by seed sown as fresh as possible, at 16-18°C (61-64°F). Keep young plants growing actively, in moderate warmth, allowing no periods of dormancy
Cut back flowering stems once flowering has finished. Cut back leaves as they go yellow, when bulb is going into dormancy
May be susceptible to bulb scale mite and narcissus bulb fly
Generally disease-free