In winter, the amaryllis delights with its magnificent and colorful flowers. More on propagation and growing from seed here.

With a little patience, seeds will form on the amaryllis

From December to February, the Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) delights with impressive flowers in white, pink or red ), which forms an onion, perhaps better known as a star of knights. This German name also fits better than the name “Amaryllis”, which came from the past. The more than 70 species once belonged to the genus Amaryllis, but they have now been assigned to their own genus Hippeastrum. However, the name Amaryllis has stuck for the winter bloomer even in the horticultural world. Once you have bought an amaryllis, with a little care and the right attention at the right time, the bulb can become a flowering companion for several years. You can also increase the number of amaryllis that bloom on your windowsill from December onwards by propagating them yourself. The amaryllis can not only be propagated by seeds. We take a closer look at the various propagation options for amaryllis.

Growing amaryllis from seeds

Propagation from Amaryllis seeds is possible, but also very time-consuming for the hobby gardener. In addition, the characteristics of the offspring can be different from those of the mother plant due to the genetic segregation of certain traits. Pollination must be done by hand. The pollen-rich anthers are rubbed off at the stigma. You can pollinate the stigma of the same flower (self-pollination) or the stigma of another amaryllis plant (cross-pollination).

Amaryllis must be pollinated by hand

The best pollination success with manual pollination is achieved when only the first two flowers of a flower are pollinated and all other flowers are removed. About eight weeks after pollination, the seeds are ripe and can be harvested. They should be sown immediately, as the ability to germinate decreases quickly. After about four weeks show upthe first seedlings. The seedlings are pricked out and cultivated for 2.5 years until they can be prepared for flowering in the second autumn. You can read more about caring for amaryllis after flowering in our article. Here is the procedure if you want to grow Amaryllis from seed:

  • Requires hand pollination
  • It is best to pollinate the first two flowers of an onion, remove the remaining flowers
  • Self- or cross-pollination possible
  • Seeds can be harvested after about 8 weeks
  • It is best to sow directly, as the germination rate decreases more quickly with increasing storage time
  • Germination after about 4 weeks
  • Prick out seedlings, pot and cultivate for 2.5 years
  • In the second fall, prepare the seedlings for forcing and flowering

Propagating amaryllis vegetatively

Amaryllis can also be propagated vegetatively. This means that organs are taken from a plant and a new plant is grown from them. This is a clone of the mother plant, so that the offspring have exactly the same characteristics as the mother - a clear advantage compared to generative propagation via seeds. In addition, the processes of vegetative propagation are sometimes significantly less complex and lead to flowering faster. We look at which possible vegetative forms of propagation are available in the case of amaryllis.

Vegetative propagation is also possible with Amaryllis

Propagating amaryllis with bulbs

If the amaryllis are repotted after a successful summer season in preparation for the flowering phase, it is possible that small bulbs will be discovered on the mother plant. These can be carefully removed from the main bulb and used to propagate the amaryllis. The small spring onions are initially stored at temperatures of around 15 °C. The onions are then planted from January. Just as with the seedlings, the bulbs used should only be prepared for forcing and flowering in the second autumn.

For onion skin cuttings, the onion must be cut up

Depending on the size of the amaryllis bulb, 12 to 16 individual pieces of the same size can be cut from one bulb without any problems. The onion wedges can each be divided vertically into two or three equal pieces. So receivedlong, narrow onion pieces, each containing part of the onion base. These are then stuck in sand in the direction of growth. At temperatures above 20 °C, new roots form quickly and after three months small bulbs can be discovered from which leaves develop. After transplanting in summer/autumn, the newly harvested bulbs should be left for another year and only used for flowering in the second autumn. Here is the procedure if you want to propagate amaryllis with onion skin cuttings:

  • Do not sprout the amaryllis bulbs, but continue to store them at rather lower temperatures until January
  • Remove the roots and lightly cut the base of the onion
  • Cut the onion vertically into 12 to 16 equal wedges
  • Half or thirds of the onion wedges again, also in a vertical direction
  • Put the pieces of onion in the sand in the direction they grow
  • Optimal temperature 20 - 25 °C
  • Rooting after a few weeks, bulb formation after three months
  • Transplant and grub up in the second fall and use for flowering

There are several promising methods available to propagate the amaryllis yourself. Compared to other cultures, however, all are relatively expensive. But even the relatively long time and diligence that both have to be expended in order to produce a flower on self-propagated amaryllis will pay off in magnificent flowers in the end!

In order to be able to call an amaryllis as magnificent as possible, you should not neglect amaryllis care. You can find out here what you need to take into account.

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Garden Design