Amyrillis leaves only

11 years ago

Hi...if you could please tell me what I am doing wrong... I have multiple amyrillis bulbs that have produced only leaves this year...4 or more leaves per plant. Probably similar last year but I wasn't managing the bulbs last year. I am unsure of the type of Amyrillis but not fancy ones...just likely grocery store or walmart type ( All were gifts) age of the bulbs is upto 5 years. As an aside the bulbs appear healthy as they are producing clone bulbs in the pots.

My protocol:

Plant the bulb in a commercial potting mix.. (I was under the impression that the roots like to be tight so the container diameter is only an inch or 2 wider than the bulb). Water.. Southern exposure... Plant "blooms" or in this case produces lots of leaves...in January. Once sufficiently warm outside (May 24th or later) plants stay in these pots and go outdoors on the balcony...(shaded southern exposure). Plants are intermittently fertilized with 202020.

In late Sept or Oct when the weather becomes poor the plants go inside...I put them in the dark room in the basement...they are neither watered nor disturbed for at least 8 weeks. Temperature in the 50s-60s. (no light in room unless I'm grabbing something as an errand). The leaves are left to die off ( Although this year there were still some viable leaves).

Only thing I can think of is over watering or planted bulb too deep? Appreciate help to have these bulbs bloom for next year. Thank you

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Comments (5)

kaboehm (zone 9a, TX USA)
11 years ago
Where do you live? Mine get put away in late Oct/mid November and don't bloom until March-May, so you might just be waiting for scapes.
K
cantgarden
Original Author
11 years ago
I live in Ontario Canada. I have never had a scape develop after the leaves are fully erupted. Is this common?
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macroclemys
11 years ago
Yes, you certainly can get scapes emerging after the leaves are well developed. If the bulbs are large, then you still have a good change of getting flowers. If any have decreased in size substantially this year, then they might not have a critical mass to bloom.

Bill
gardenper
11 years ago
I had a few that got flower scapes after leaves had been produced, though from those same bulbs, I've also seen where the scape peeked out first. I'm not sure what caused the difference from year to year.
amaryllisstudygroup
11 years ago
Hello,

Let us get specific for your protocol. Your pots are small to grow in for years. Use 10 inch and plant only the roots and one inch or less of the bulb. Water once every 3 weeks unless you are drying in the basement. Liquid fertilize half strength of makers directions 3 times per year: when you take them out of the basement ; when the flowers finish ; and June 1. Most people over water and over fertilize pots.

Planting only roots will free the neck and shoulders. If you do it now, the bulb will be in bloom in 25 - 45 days.

If they were new bulbs, I would plant them deeper for 6 months just to keep the flowers and stalks from falling over until the roots regrew after initial bloom.

The rest of your protocol seems to work fine for you. You have successfully home forced them to bloom for years.

Bill Warren