With its picturesque flowers, a knight's star creates tropical islands of opulence on the winter windowsill. To ensure that the flower show lasts for many weeks, proper care is important. Find out all the relevant details about the exemplary cultivation of an amaryllis in a pot here.
How do you properly care for an amaryllis houseplant?
Properly caring for an amaryllis means providing sufficient but not excessive watering and fertilization during the flowering and growth period, adjusting the location and temperature according to the growing phases, and removing wilted flowers and leaves in a timely manner.
Where does the amaryllis thrive?
A knight's star goes through different growth cycles that require alternating locations. We have summarized the appropriate framework conditions for the respective vegetation phase for you here:
- During the flowering period from December to March: Bright, not full sun location with temperatures between 18 and 22 degrees Celsius
- During the growing season from April/May to August: On the sunny, warm balcony or sheltered garden spot
- During the rest period from September to November: In a dark, cool location at 5 to 8 degrees Celsius
How do I water an amaryllis properly
During the flowering and growing period, the soil should neither dry out nor be completely soaked. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the substrate surface remains as dry as possible. You will meet this requirement if you cast a knight's star from below. To do this, add the room temperature, soft water to the saucer for a few minutes.
Does a Ritterstern need to be fertilized?
A sufficient supply of nutrients is one of the mainstays of a Hippeastrum's exemplary care program. Please pay attention to the leaves emerging. When the first leaf tips appear, the supply of nutrients begins. Until the end of July, administer a liquid fertilizer for bulb flowers every 14 days (€9.00 on Amazon).
When and how should an amaryllis be cut?
Please cut off the withered flowers on Ritterstern as soon as possible if you do not want to harvest seeds for propagation. Cut off the yellowed main stem at a distance of 5 cm above the bulb. The long leaves are initially spared from being pruned because they perform a key function during the summer growing season. Only when the leaves have completely withered in autumn can they be removed.
Tip
Are you wondering how to overwinter a winter-blooming knight's star? You can do this by bringing the growth break forward to autumn. From August onwards, stop supplying water and fertilizer completely. From September to November the bulb rests in a dark, cool place. Repotted into fresh substrate, the knight's star will be in full bloom just in time for Christmas.
