How very pretty they are! Especially when you look through the glass and see the snow outside! They look nice as you have them at several different heights.

I have never gotten one to rebloom but buy them anyway! I have resisted buying special expensive ones as I know they will only bloom once for me. I let them live on as strappy houseplants and try anyway.

In your first picture: that pink one in the upper left hand corner, with the curled back petals: what IS that one? Stunning. It looks semi-double.

That is Double Record, and as I recall it did rebloom for me last winter with 2 scapes! I tried to think what I had done special for that one, but it was the same as for the others. Here is a close-up:

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What I noticed with my collection is that they don't like a lot of water, they hate to sit in it, and they don't like when their roots are hot. So if you keep them in pots and put them out in the Summer, that can set them back. When I kept them out in pots in the Sun, their size decreased for me too. Now, that I have planted them out in a flower bed, that cannot pick up the heat as much as a little pot, they are increasing like crazy...
Could this be a solution?

Well, I have never taken them outside - I figured that a sunny window would suffice. Evidently not. But, I think I will take them all out next year, since I have nothing else to do but divide/plant dozens of dahlia tubers, and also plant acidantheras, cannas, elephant ears, in addition to planting out the gazillion seedlings produced by winter sowing. What's one more little job!

"Well, I have never taken them outside - I figured that a sunny window would suffice. Evidently not. "

Some people can get away with a big sunny window; however, I imagine it is not sufficient in a zone as far north as zone 4!

I agree with soultan-- heat is bad for roots, and overwatering assures limited growth. I do not plant my bulbs in the garden-- but they do go outside, in their clay pots (the glazed ones hold too much water for too long and in effect, overwater the roots), and they go on the side of the house that gets morning sun and afternoon sun-- no mid-day in an attempt to limit root temps.

I had several bulbs shrink dramatically whilst blooming-- but they regained and grew larger in the summer through the method I mentioned above. Two of my bulbs that had descreased their size by half had grown larger than their previous size and are getting ready to bloom in a week or so.

For you, at this stage in the seasons-- might I suggest adding an artificial light source?

Oh, I forgot to mention: a huge percentage of these shriveled, decreased bulbs have still bloomed for me following season. Now go figure!

Alas, I have neither the space, nor the budget for artificial lighting. My house already looks like a very crowded greenhouse - but I love it! Many bulbs have already gone to the basement for a rest, as they dropped their leaves (yellow and limp), making room for the newly potted ones.

Wow, anna! You have some stunning flowers there. I like a lot of the pots you have chosen as well; you may have noticed I have a penchant for attractive containers.

Gorgeous blooms and thanks for posting them for us!

Anna,
That Double record is a beauty, one of my favorites. Two winters ago I got 5 bulbs for 1$ US each. Planted them all in one large pot for a holiday display. They were small bulbs but each put up 2 stalks, the leaves never seemed to want to die and then 2 of them bloomed a second time in the summer in my sun room. I forced them into dormancy finally last august. They bloomed again this spring only one stalk each this time, I put them outside under a porch this year to give them a bit more sun while keeping the pots cool, hopefully they'll bloom again for me. They were such a great buy and I would have been happy with them with only one stalk each and one season of bloom, but they have turned out to be one of the best buys I've made! I'm pretty new to this forum, been a lurker for awhile, not to many bulbs here, but I do have a pot of 6 year old papillos that are doing fantastic and multiplying!
Whew...all that to say, Your double record, and window look lovely and have me in hipp-envy!
Keep warm!
Chaz

First of all... Welcome, Chaz! Do visit and post more often! You'll find everyone here very nice, and the information invaluable! I envy you your pot of multiplying Papillio bulbs! Mine is still too young to bloom or have babies... hopefully, it will bloom next year!

Second... Wonderful photos, Anna! Gorgeous flowers! They look lovely with the lace valance in the background, and all the other greenery! I'm like you... I have to have lots of plants around me! My window ledges are stuffed with houseplants and bulbs! I especially love the color combination of your blooming bulbs! What a show! And, is that a Swedish Ivy I see? I love those, although, I find that they tend to get woody and old fairly quick, and new cuttings have to be started every once in a while... and I also see a Jade plant and a Dracaena marginata, is that? Nice collection!

I don't know if this will help, but for those of us in northern areas, zones 4 and 5, I have found that if you must keep your bulbs indoors in a sunny window, an eastern or southern exposure is best, preferably southern. I have also found that Hippeastrums absolutely must have good drainage, and they should be allowed to dry out between waterings.

I've told this story before, so I'll make it short... I've had my Minerva bulb for over 7 years... I bought it, potted it up according to directions, and it bloomed for Christmas, most beautifully... after that, I just left it in the south facing window and treated it like I would any other houseplant, watering it when it was dry, feeding it every once in a while with houseplant food, and removing the leaves as they yellowed and died... that bulb rested for the following year, and when the next February rolled around, it bloomed! I was so thrilled! I just kept on treating it like a houseplant, and it has faithfully bloomed every year, except one. I think it must have needed a bit of extra rest. I have moved several times since I got Minerva, and still, it blooms every February, and it has between 2 and 3 scapes each time! This past summer, Minerva developed a baby offset! I'm leaving them together for now.

I think the key to successful flowering for us northerners is to make sure the bulbs have enough light, good drainage, and are allowed to dry out between waterings... I never did anything special for my Minerva, except re-potting it when it got too root-bound, and maybe a top-dressing of fresh potting soil in the spring...

My bulb collection has grown substantially in the past few months... I went from just having the Minerva and an Apple Blossom, to having over 30 bulbs of all different varieties! I'm completely addicted to Hippeastrums! I have no idea how I managed to only have one bulb for so long... they are such wonderful plants, and so beautiful when in bloom!! My wish list is lengthy, and I know that next year I will be adding many more to my collection!

Yes, Jodik, you are right on all those plants - and true, Swedish Ivy can get gangly and old after awhile- luckily it is very easy to make new plants. I love making new plants - out of anything - whether I really need it or not!! And thanks for the compliments on the window display. End of season refugees from the outdoors that are still in bloom currently include Impatiens, Geraniums, Elephant Ears (didn't have the heart to cut those green ears off!), in addition to blooming Christmas Cactus and florist Azalea. The latter has been amazing me for 2 years now - while most folks pitch them after blooming when received as a gift, mine takes a very slight break in summer, and now is inside looking like a tiny rose bush - just beautiful. So, I still have a very colorful window sill. Can you tell I love blooms!? Sorry for the rambling OT.

Anna

Anna - I, too, try to bring in anything I can save as autumn approaches... this year, I brought in a lovely ivy geranium with burgundy/fuschia flowers. I don't know how else to describe the flower color. I'm hoping it holds its blossoms and keeps on blooming for a while! I also saved an English Ivy that was part of a large patio pot planting. Frost had already wilted the coleus and most of the other annuals...

My window sill usually has a little line-up of baby food jars full of houseplant cuttings! Right now, I'm rooting some lipstick plant cuttings, and I'll be trimming my variegated English Ivy and a Pothos soon...

I love Christmas Cactus! A long time ago, I had a gorgeous, full one growing under a skylight in my bathroom... I couldn't take it with me when I moved, though... so, I gave it away. I've been wanting another one, and I see that Miejer's has small ones this year for a reasonable price... I think I'm going to grab one next time I'm there... I've been so focused on my Hippeastrums and getting the gardens ready for winter, that I really haven't thought too much about my other houseplants!

Those little florist azaleas usually don't do well for me...the last one I had I tried to nurse along, but it didn't make it. They are pretty, though!

Don't worry about rambling a bit, Anna... I am the Queen of Rambling and Long-Winded Posts! LOL!

Anna, I envy you for your Double Record too. Mine shrunk last year, and is now just recovering, hence missed blooming. But at leat, I have something to anticipate for next year from this bulb. I just ordered Rainbow, which is really similar to Double Record, so if they bloom next year, I will definitely make comparisons. Maybe, I will try to make them bloom at the same time to see them side by side.

Jodik
Thanks for the welcome. Just potted up what was labeled "minerva" from my local grocery store. It was the only one in a shipment of redlion and appleblossem that they received. $4.99 I figured I give it a shot. I've always loved that flower.
Don't want to hijack this thread from Anna, so I'm going to try to post a photo or two in another.
Happy gardening all.
Chaz

Hey Chaz - now worries about hijacking the thread, we all seem to do it, and the more the merrier!

Anna

Anna,
Thanks, got reprimanded on another forum sometime last year and really don't want to offend anyone here!

Anna, can I show your pictures in the Hungarian Amaryllis forum? We are just talking about Double Record, and you have a wonderful pic of it.

Of course, Soultan!

Thank you very much.

Chaz - I really hope your Minerva turns out to be as sturdy as mine! Over seven years, through several moves, lots of unintentional neglect... and it blooms faithfully, and is just gorgeous every year! The bulb, itself, is firm, green and healthy... and it expands more all the time! I bought a second one this year... I figured at $3.96, it was a good deal! I should pick up 2 more and plant a group container. I always thought that Hippis looked great planted in 3's!

jodik
I feel the same, 3's or 5's!
When I bought my papillios the $ limit only allowed 2. However over the years those two have put out a total of 8 offsets some may bloom next year, others have a maybe two to go. I'm leaving them all together and hope one day to have 5-8 stalks bloom at once!! 5 aphrodite together, 3 emerald with one rubymeyer together, my new minerva is by itself it was the only one in the store labled as minerva, hope its right! I've coveted that one for years after seeing a group of about 30 in bloom in Gainseville FL in the early 80's. What a site! they were growing in an old compost pile and my the new owner just left them be and decided not to use the compost pile anylonger. Anyway, hoping it is minerva, I just love that bloom.

Wow. That compost pile must look wonderful when in bloom. I know a garden in the heart of Hollywood that has dozens of amarylli blooming in the summer. What a sight!

soultan,
It was breathtaking. The owner was afraid to do anything that would ruin the site so she just left it be. I'd love to see that again sometime in this life.

anna, I remember all your past photos of your charming window and your stunning amaryllis. I hope you will greet us with new pictures this winter. The wood window frames, the lace curtains just make the photos so homey and warm feeling. Hey, anyone up for hot chocolate??? lol Cheers!

Yes, Cindee,
Plese... It is cold, so let's have some hot chocolate and take a look at Chazparas' compost pile... :o)

soultan,
I wish I had a better camera at the time. I took photos of it with an old disc camera, they came out horrible and I can't find the photo or the negatives for the life of me. I will have that image in my mind forever. And I'll be enjoying it tonight with my Hot Chocolate, It's cold out there!!!

Now,

You are forcing me to make hot chocolate or cappuccino while staring at my new Angelique. Finally, some sense of success.

mmmm Cappuccino, with a shot of brandy for me please. We are down to the 50's again tonight. Nice snuggle weather.

My man and 2 cats are already curled up under the covers!

Cappuccino, Brandy, and ready to sleep? I see that coffeine has the same effect on you as it has on me: none.

LOL nope coffe and liquor keeps me awake and giggly. Just like wine. I can drink beer all day long in the hot Florida sun and narry an effect. Give me some dry red wine and I act like a school girl. All giggly and cuddly! Brandy makes me warm and fuzzy, so does some Yummy Baileys on the rocks. oops, my secret is out! (hic*)

We actually had a break in the cold weather... right now, it's 51 degrees! I have a window open at the moment because it's rather hot in here! When it is cold, however, I snuggle with the "Old Guy", as everyone calls him, and Emma the Olde Bulldogge! And when it gets REALLY cold, I break out the feather comforter!

Cappuccino does sound good, though! I'm deep into a cup of Folgers, plain black coffee... a staple of life! I also just potted up my new Picotee bulb, and I'm thinking of potting up Red Nymph, as well...

Jodi, you are having a heat wave. We are in the 50's with the heat on! I have my sweat pants on, long sleeve tee, my slippers and a wonderfully soft and cuddly chenile robe DIL sent me. Nope, No Aqua ruffled robe for me dearie. How can you drink coffee this late at night?? I have a cold beer.

It is very cold here in Quebec, 32 F - but not as cold as it's going to be! Cindeea - I shall certainly post pictures again - I also love the look of bright blooms against a backdrop of snow - something magical about.

Anna

So Cindee, you forced me to make some apple strudels and some cherry-poppyseed-coconut strudels last night. I only have half of it today, and it will probably disappear by tomorrow for no apparent reason.
Unfortunately though, as I have suspected, Angelique in the warm room gave up rather quickly, so I am pollinating the two flowers, then wait for the second scape to show me the new magic.

soultan-how could I possibly be responsible for you making strudels?? They do sound yummy, though.

If all the environmental conditions were checked and found to be optimal then an infection of the roots with free living eelworms (nematodes) can be the reason for poor bulb growth.
In serious case the roots become brittle and stunted.

Hans - are these visible to the naked eye?

No!

However, the roots become rather particularly "stunted".

Would they appear even though they've never been outside?

What if you try the flea bath on the bulbs?

Nematodes in hippeastrums. Now that is something very new to me Sir Hans. We used to have cases of Nematodes in the PI on some plants and even African Violets get them. I read that they come from improper sterilized soil and can be transfered with "common watering" of plants (like trays) or re-using old potting soil. The roots get this tiny bloated bumps and red markings. We usually throw away infected plants or burn them. Would the amaryllis roots look this way too? What are the signs of nematode infection?