The winter-flowering amaryllis is somewhat sensitive when it comes to watering: too much water causes its tuber to rot, too little water causes it to weaken. And watering at the wrong time will result in no flowering. Read how to proceed according to your needs.
How do you water an amaryllis correctly?
An amaryllis should be watered differently depending on the growth or flowering phase. Water regularly and abundantly during the growing season, initially water heavily during the flowering phase and then carefully start with small amounts. Always allow excess water to drain and drain.
How to water the amaryllis correctly?
The amaryllis is not watered the same way all year round, but differs depending on the phase: watering is only necessary during the flowering and growth phase, i.e. H. between December and July. However, the quantities do not remain the same.
The water requirement is particularly high during the growth phase; watering must be carried out regularly and abundantly. You start the flowering phase with heavy watering between mid-October and November, after which you take a break. Start carefully with small waterings as soon as the first green tips appear from the tuber. Now you can gradually increase the quantities.
How much water should you give an amaryllis?
The specific amount of watering depends on the time of year, the ambient temperatures and the size of the plant. If the amaryllis is left in the garden or on the balcony over the summer, it needs more water than a specimen standing on the windowsill.
The best way to water the amaryllis is as follows:
- Place amaryllis in a pot with several drainage holes
- place this on a coaster
- use well-draining substrate
- Water the plant vigorously
- drain excess water
- pour away promptly (i.e. within a quarter of an hour!)
Alternatively, you can also put the irrigation water in the saucer; the plant will get the moisture it needs itself. But here too, excess water must be removed.
How does overwatering affect amaryllis?
As a bulb flower, the amaryllis reacts to excessive watering by rotting, i.e. H. the tuber rots. Rotting tubers become soft and you will also notice a smell of rot. The plant parts that grow from it turn yellow and wilt or do not grow at all.
The entire bulb doesn't have to be affected: large onions in particular initially rot from the bottom, with the rotten areas spreading upwards over time. This also means that an apparently he althy-looking tuber may have long since rotted in the ground - a possible reason why an amaryllis may not bloom.
When and why do you stop watering the amaryllis?
You should stop watering the amaryllis by the beginning of August at the latest. Gradually reduce watering throughout July until the amaryllis is no longer watered at all. Now it's time to wait and see: the new blossoms.
Tip
Do you have to fertilize the amaryllis?
During the growth phase, the amaryllis also needs to be fertilized regularly so that it can collect enough energy for the rest and the new flowering phase. Fertilize once a week between February and June with a liquid flowering plant fertilizer (€13.00 on Amazon). Alternatively, you can also use a slow-release fertilizer (e.g. in the form of fertilizer sticks).