That is intersting. I don't really know, because all I have ever heard is that the larger bulbs tend to produce more scapes. I should imagine, though, that poorly tended bulbs would not produce much, nor would one that is accidentally not getting enough light, say.

pax-Intersting question. It really depends on the species, I think. One order I placed recently and the 2 very large bulbs were a dollar cheaper than the Trumpet Misty, which was maybe 1/3 the size of San Remo. Misty is a more pointed smaller flowered plant. Last year I received some large new bulbs that really out-produced some of my older smaller bulbs. So like I said, I think the bulb size really depends on what is an average size for each different type of amaryllis.

There are some miniature varieties, like the Sonatas, Sonatinis, and Solos from Hadeco that tend to have very small bulbs, yet shoot up 2-3 scapes. Misty, Ruby Meyer, Amputo for instance are small bulbed varieties.
Rapido, Carina, and these Dutch kind of small flowering varieties usually have larger, but not jumbo bulbs.
Jumbo bulbs are quite easily achieved for Minerva, Apple Blossom, Desire, Ambiance, Carmen, Red Lion, Mont Blanc, Faro, Hercules, Orange Souvereign, Ludwig Dazzler, Vera, or Flaming Peacock, for instance.
Larger bulbs tend to produce up to 4 scapes with 4-5-6 flower on one scape, and larger blooms in general.
But with Hadeco varieties, it is different. They purposely breed their amaryllis to have smaller bulbs but still produce guaranteed two scapes per bulb. This year's bulbs are especially small from them. I hope they will still bring the guaranteed scape number.
So yes. Size does matter, but only for the varieties that tend to produce large bulbs in the first place. There are some varieties that would just not give you large bulbs, no matter what, and that is right.

And I've always held to the adage that size doesn't matter... oh, we're talking about bulbs! Hehe!

I think it's a matter of variety and of care and age... the larger hybrids will produce more scapes and flowers the older they get, with proper care.

The miniatures will probably do the same thing... they are guaranteed to produce at least 2 scapes, but I'd bet that as they get older, with proper care, they will produce more!

Yes, of course if it is not in the genetics of the particular variety, than size would not matter. You would not get a larger bulb no matter what, because it is not natural for that type.

I rather thought, though, that you were talking about bulbs that do develop to very large or even what is called a "jumbo" size.

You have to compare like bulbs to like bulbs, naturally.

Comparing like bulbs to like bulbs, I think it would be safe to say that proper care will net the most scapes... something about how the bulb produces the buds inside... I don't really know how to explain it...

I would go for the healthiest bulb, though, not necessarily the largest...

So I guess size really is a factor case by case (for specific certain varieties)? So does the size of a bulb reflect on whether it has recieved proper case? Ex: Bigger and larger sized bulbs recieved better care?

As I have just learned today for instance: Night Star (cybister) has small bulbs.

It means that the bulbs that are able to be a certain size, for instance those that are not genetically engineered to be small anyway despite care, are allowed and groomed to get larger and are cared for to produce as many stalks/scapes as they can. With the smaller bulbs, you sometimes have to wait to get several or even one good stalk of any size. If you don't mind waiting these can be a bargain as you can do the actual cultivation of it yourself. Like with daffodils or tulips, there are exibition and also bedding sizes. The smaller ones will give you flowers, but are not as fully developed as they might be.

If you like large flowers and a stunning display the first season, the larger bulbs of any type are the ones to go for. But depending upon your preference and their use, some smaller bulbs, as long as they are healthy and well taken care of, can give quality flowers; you just have to wait for the big display is all!

"the larger bulbs of any type are the ones to go for"

This is the opposite what we are talking about. You will not get a large bulb for a Misty for instance. You can get 50+ from an Ambiance, but only about 20-24 for a Misty.

If you insist on finding fault with whatever I say; go ahead. I was, again, talking about going for the largest and plumpest bulbs of those that are appropriate in that aspect. I think you know that.

Also, I would pick the largest of those even in the smaller families; they might not ever get as big as the largest ones, but it does show that they have been well-cultivated.

This is all I will say further in the matter.

Interesting. Every time you come back to the forum, you always start trouble making and picking a fight.
We can have different opinion on things. Being personal and fight will not solve problems.
Good to have you back. There was so much peace on this forum so far. We needed some excitement.
If you don't like me, don't talk to me. Have a wonderful day, and ignore me. Thanks.

No. I am not the troublemaker here. You are. Never have I been and you are not going to convince others that I am. Leave me alone.

Quit acting like you are perfect Mr P. C.

paxfleur,

You are right:

So I guess size really is a factor case by case (for specific certain varieties)? So does the size of a bulb reflect on whether it has recieved proper case? Ex: Bigger and larger sized bulbs recieved better care?

You can always go for the bigger bulbs within the variety. Sometimes, when I see a small bulb, like the South African Hadeco varieties, it looks really sick next to the large Dutch varieties, like Mont Blanc for instance.
Maria, for instance, often says that she would go for smaller bulb if it has better root system than the large bulb without it.
If you got a large bulb with good root system, you might have got a winner.
So have fun and good luck.

Or, if you want listen to hopflower, then go for the largest bulbs of any type, and ignore the ones that produce small ones by nature.

In any species... flora or fauna... half is genetic, the other half environmental.

Meaning... even the finest genetically engineered bulb can be stunted by poor environmental aspects, either care or weather, etc...

The fact remains... regardless of whether the bulb is a mini or a larger hybrid...genetics, age, and environment all conspire to make a bulb the size it is, and to produce the number of scapes it grows. Without firsthand knowledge of a bulbs history, we can't know how well it will produce flowers, or how many.

In my humble opinion, and given the above factual information, choosing bulbs by size is a crapshoot like anything else...

Hehe... I still am convinced that you have better chance to get better scape quality, higher numbers and better blooms from a larger, healthier bulb from a given variety based on its characteristics. Expectations can be deceiving. If Misty had a bulb like Ambiance can produce, we would have bulbs from Misty that produce 20 scapes from one single bulb. Now wouldn't that be spectacular?