According to Traub, Hippeastrum reticulatum is an evergreen species that is fall flowering, Evergreen species need a rest period but not a complete dormancy like deciduous species. One reference notes: "This plant needs considerable humidity to produce luxuriant foliage and autumn flowers. It must never get dry during the growing season or the buds may not mature."

Found some conflicting information in Herbertia from 1998. H. reticulatum is listed as deciduous. The article has a culture guide for deciduous and evergreen species, If interested in a copy of the article, email me at: mjschu1@earthlink.net and I will send you a copy.

Fred, I had a similar situation. I received a pot full of bulbs, but they'd been in the same pot for years and didn't look happy. I unearthed them and they were red and "icky", so I cleaned them up, dusted with Captan and let them dry for several days. Repotted them in fresh soil and a clean pot. I never cut them back during the winter and for 2 years they just sat. Then last summer they sent up loads of leaves and it bloomed a couple of months ago. I was so surprised. I talked to my "bulb fairy" and he said he had run into the same situation. I would say they are pretty temperamental.

I'm afraid they're so temperamental I don't dare look at them in the wrong way for fear they'll just up and die.

Now I'm more confused than ever. Do they want to be grown as an evergreen or should I let them rest warm and dry? I just re-potted the ones that look like they were gonna push up daisies and put them on the heating mat with fresh soil, so time will tell and I'll keep you posted.

Thank you all for the advice, let's see what they decide to do.

I agree the species are very temperamental. I have lost many H. striatium, blossfeldiae, petiolatum, stylosum, and reticulatum. I have tried growing them as deciduous and evergreen. I found that when I had a greenhouse, keeping them in the greenhouse during the winter and watering them but keeping them on the dry side was better than letting them go completely dry and storing them. Since I no longer have a greenhouse I have lost just about all my species except for papilio which I keep in the house and treat as an evergreen. I think separating them, treating with fungicide, and repotting and providing bottom heat should be very helpful. Let us know how it works.

They imo are very difficult, they rot at the drop of a hat, and always seem to sulk. I think they're very sensitive to temperature change, and water. I haven't found a great way to grow them, it's been trial and mostly error.

I would keep them warm, in a fast draining mix and let the mix dry a bit between waterings. If the leaves start to yellow, cut watering back. They seem to appreciate being more potbound, probably because the mix dries out faster. I think they're mostly evergreen, typically bloom in fall, and slow growth in some of the summer months.

I see some say they like it moist, but mine have always resented too much water, so I guess individual climate can make a big difference.

My experience has been completely different. I grow mine just like Griffinia and Eithea: indoors, plenty of water year round, and modest light. I don't intentionally allow it to dry, and it stays evergreen and flower 2-3 times a year. I got this as a single bulb Telos in 2014 and had to divide earlier this year. Now I have a pot full. Because I haven't put it outside, it has never been exposed to prolonged cool, wet conditions. I wonder if that is the problem.

Well, I had a pot full from the same source as Kristi's I believe. The pot grew as an evergreen beautifully for me for several years and when in this condition I watered it perhaps once a week and enjoyed gorgeous leaves although it never bloomed. Then the mealy bugs got a foot hold when I wasn't paying attention and nothing I could do seemed to remedy it's plight and it died of rot several months later. I never replaced it. Mine was h. reticulatum var. stratifolium if that makes a difference in its culture.

Donna

I should update my experience with this species. I have a pot of 2-year-old seedlings that I kept outdoors this summer. They seemed to be doing well, but they experienced some wet, cool conditions before being brought indoors several weeks ago. Today I noticed that they were all rotting. One seedling was entirely gone, two required major surgery, and four look like they will be OK after I removed the outer bulb layer. My original plant is still doing well, though I have always kept it indoors. This has been a good warning for me to not get complacent with my treatment of this species.

Bill

Oh Maria,

Those are beautiful!!!! This is what I want to "attempt" to replicate. I really love those variegated leaves and I am dying to create my own hybrids but it seems that H. reticulatum and their hybrids are a little fussy and very sensitive to cool/cold conditions. I have Autumn Pink Lady that I foolishly placed in the cold dry basement for the winter and I fear I may have upset her :-(((( I am trying to make it up to her by growing her on a heated mat. Fingers and everything I can cross have been crossed and definitely will grow them in warmer/evergreen conditions from now on. Thank you for the beautiful picture :-)))

Warm Regards,

Fred

...from bitterly cold and windy Boston BRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!

I was unable to grow them outside in the Tampa bay area,due to heavy rainfall,often.They rot.