We owe its subtropical vegetation cycle a magnificent flowering in the middle of the winter. However, you will only be able to enjoy its magical Christmas blossoms if you plant the knight's star correctly. The following answers to important questions show you how to achieve it masterfully.
How should you plant an amaryllis correctly?
To optimally plant an amaryllis, choose a sturdy 14 cm flower pot with an opening in the bottom, place potsherds and fleece as drainage, fill the pot halfway with nutrient-rich potting soil, insert the bulb halfway and press it Substrate is good.
When is planting time?
In November, the planting time for amaryllis plants begins, which showcase themselves on the winter windowsill. This also applies to the knight's star. With this choice of date you can perfectly accommodate subtropical growth.
In which location does an amaryllis achieve its optimum?
If you assign a hippeastrum to a sunny, warm location on the south-facing windowsill, this care will be rewarded with an opulent display of flowers. Where there is a lack of sunlight, the exotic plant only produces long, green leaves. You will look in vain for winter blooms in a partially shaded spot. As long as a knight's star is dormant in late summer, the lighting conditions are of secondary importance.
Which is the best substrate?
An amaryllis feels at home in nutrient-rich, structurally stable and slightly acidic potted plant soil. The top priority is excellent water drainage, as waterlogging means that any hope of colorful winter blooms will come to nothing. Ideally, enrich the plant soil with a tablespoon of horn shavings (€52.00 on Amazon) and a handful of perlite breathing flakes or lava granules.
How do I plant an amaryllis correctly?
With a majestic height of up to 100 cm in mind, please choose a sturdy 14 cm flower pot with a bottom opening for water drainage. Spread a few pieces of pottery over it as drainage, covered with an air and water permeable fleece. It continues in this sequence:
- Fill the bucket halfway up with loose, nutrient-rich potting soil
- Plant the onion in it so that it is only half covered with soil
- Press the substrate well to ensure a good bond to the soil
Immediately after planting, add soft, room temperature water to the saucer for 10-15 minutes. This way the bulb is not wetted, which keeps the dreaded red burn disease at bay. Please allow the substrate to dry thoroughly until the next watering.
Can I propagate the knight's star myself?
A lovingly cared for Ritterstern gifts us with numerous daughter bulbs. These thrive at the base of a mother bulb. Once the onions have reached a size of 3 cm, they can be cut off with a sharp knife. You are holding a miniature knight's star in your hands, which you can plant and care for in the same way as an adult specimen.
Tip
The Damocles sword of deadly poisonous content dangles above the breathtaking floral splendor of a Hippeastrum. If only a few grams of the onion enter the organism, the consequences are fatal for humans and animals. Therefore, cultivate a knight star out of the reach of children and pets. Planting and care should only be done with protective gloves.
