As a winter-blooming indoor flower, Ritterstern challenges us with individual demands on care. When it comes to nutrient supply, the wonderful amaryllis has a mind of its own. Read here how long the subtropical flower treasure needs fertilizer.
The amaryllis is only fertilized after flowering
Nutrient supply starts late
Schmalhans is master chef for your knight star as long as it displays its magnificent flowers in winter. Nutrients like nitrogen only fuel the growth of the long leaves in the midst of flowering. When the growth phase begins in spring, give your amaryllis a helping hand with the right fertilizer. The following schedule shows how to regulate the nutrient balance in an exemplary manner:
- Fertilize Ritterstern every 2 weeks from April to August
- Do not apply fertilizer from September to March
In the period from September to November, your knight star needs a rest to regenerate. In a cool, dark location, the plant receives neither water nor fertilizer. The nutrient depots inside the onion are already bulging at this time. This is all the more true if you only cut off the leaves when they are fully retracted.
This fertilizer is recommended
Specialist shops have a wide range of special fertilizers for amaryllis. These high-tech remedies are equipped with an NPK formulation that is tailored to the needs of the subtropical beauty of flowers. Of course, this luxury has its price. Fertilizing your Ritterstern with organic materials is cheaper and more in touch with nature. That is how it goes:
- When planting, put 1 tablespoon of horn shavings (€32.93) in the planting hole
- Use liquid, organic fertilizer such as nettle manure, compost water or worm tea
- Administer comfrey liquid manure rich in potassium in July to strengthen before the autumn growth dormancy
The less moisture the exposed part of an amaryllis bulb has, the less chance there is of rot and disease. Therefore, put liquid fertilizer of any kind in the saucer so that it can be transported to the roots by capillary force.
tips
The supplementary nutrient supply to an amaryllis can be canceled without replacement if you repot the plant every year in November. Commercial potting soil is sufficiently pre-fertilized. If you also water your hippeastrum regularly with nutrient-rich pond water, everything will be fine