Actually I think I have found the answer(s) from another thread called "Is This Normal?"

Hans mentions it several times, and I believe the same because of my own observations: seed production DOES NOT take a lot of energy from the bulb. I wouldn't worry about that. I could grow viable seeds on cut off scapes that I simply put in sugar-water solution. I believe fertilizing is only needed when the leaves start actively growing.

Hi Dave... welcome to the forum! Nice photo! You captured the shape and color of Red Lion very well!

I'm glad you found what you were looking for... yes, these bulbs are pretty hungry, especially after blooming! I feed a dilute fertilizer solution even while they're in bloom... I don't know if they necessarily need it at that point, but since I use coco coir as the base of my growing medium, I feel like I need to... coco coir has no nutrients in it, unlike normal potting soil.

If you want to go one better and really give your Red Lion a boost, get a bottle of Superthrive and add a drop or two to your watering solution. It gives the bulb vitamins that it might not otherwise get with regular fertilizers. I add a couple of drops to my watering jug every once in a while, and I've noticed an improvement in growth... you should be able to find Superthrive at your local garden center...

Good luck with your Red Lion... I have 3 of them planted together, and I think they're just a great addition to my collection, adding a nice bit of red! If you have further questions, don't hesitate to ask... everyone here is very nice and more than willing to share culture information!

Happy Gardening!

Thanks, Soultan and Jodi. This forum is very nice, but whoa! There are so much information that it is a little overwhelming, like you don't know where to look....

But I'm glad to have joined.

We're glad to have you, Dave! Just take your time and keep reading... you'll eventually get a plan together that will work for you and the environment you have for your bulbs... trial and error is sometimes the only way we can really learn... hands on experience with your own bulbs... but it does help to read about the experiences of others.

It's a lot to digest... this much is true! I'm still learning! And I predict that I will always be learning, and there will always be something new and different to try... but by following all these posts and seeing how everyone else solves problems, I've learned what not to do, as well as what works best!

Just a few short months ago, I had 2 bulbs... I now have over 40 and am still collecting! I'm solving problems along the way with a little help from everyone here, and I'm enjoying every minute of watching my bulbs go from dormant to fully opened blooms... I'm pollinating and watching seed pods form... and now, I'm getting ready to plant my first seeds that I helped produce!

It's an amazing process... one I wouldn't miss for the world!

Hi, sorry for posting this here, but I searched and searched but still couldn't find if there is a "help" forum.

When I read the forum, it shows as message thread (unlike other forum format that I am used to). A screen shot is shown below. Is this normal? Or is there a way I can change the display format?

Thanks!

[IMG]http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj258/MichiganDave1234/Temp/GardenWebForum.jpg[/IMG]

hmmm.... I thought I posted another message but maybe I forgot to hit "submit."

Anyway, here is the screen shot:
{{gwi:377069}}

I believe that's normal... when you search a forum here for information, or the entire site, a listing of threads related to your search criteria will appear...

However... it seems that some work is being done to the website, and the search function is not working properly at this time.

I've recently tried a few searches, and the threads that have been returned as results have been very mixed up... not at all what I need...

I think they'll have this function fixed fairly soon, and a search will net the results you need. In the meantime, just ask any questions you have regarding your bulbs here in the forum, and we'd be happy to try to help you find the answers you seek!

It has been a week since I pollinated my Red Lions. I cannot tell if the pollination has been successful and seed pods are forming. Can you tell from this picture?

[IMG]http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj258/MichiganDave1234/Amaryllis/SeedPod0128.jpg[/IMG]

I just realized that I have seen only pictures of seed pods but not real ones, so I don't know how big they are supposed to be. Mine are only about 1/2 inch across. They do not a little bigger than before but that's just from memory.

Also, if you look at the front one, the "thing" that connects it back to the main stem (called scape?) is turning brown and drying up. Doesn't mean that nutrient cannot travel from the scape to the sed pod? This is only one week and I read that it has 4-5 more weeks to go. Are my pods aborting?

Thanks!

Sorry, here is the picture.

{{gwi:377071}}

On this forum, is it ok to directly link the picture like this? Or is it preferable to provide only the link?

Dave, copy the HTML code from photobucket. When you finished constructing your reply and hit Preview Message and you don't see your picture, nobody else will on the forum. IMG code is not for this forum.

{{gwi:377071}}
From this picture, it seems like you have one seed pod that is still fighting.

In my opinion, Dave, your pods look like they may be aborting... it happens a lot. I've had more aborted pods than matured ones, actually. It's disappointing, I know...

The good news is... it looks likes pods did start to form, so perhaps next time you'll have seeds... I only have a lot of pods because I have over 40 bulbs all growing and flowering and being pollinated. My Red Lions all aborted, too... and my Minerva aborted... and several others that I thought would produce. Some even aborted farther along with half-way decent sized pods!

I was told that my failures would be many, and not to become discouraged... and sure enough... my failures have been many! But just the few successes that I've had have made it all worthwhile...

You just never know what Mother Nature will do... and you just never know what next year will bring... keep trying, Dave!

Hi, does anyone know what is going on here!? :(

{{gwi:377073}}

The flower stalk (is that called the scape) has broken. It has been leaning, so I supported it with the box. That seems to be ok in itself, but the problem is the scape was drying up. Today I found that it has fallen down.

The seed pod is only about 10 days old. Will it continue to develop in that condition?

Most likely not. Cut the stalk at the braing point diagonally, so it has the largest surface to suck up water, and put it in a water with a few drops of hydroperoxide and some sugar. Cut off all the dead petals, and leave that one still green pod on there. It might finish ripening. If not, you tried.