A knight's star only displays its noble flowers if you plant the tuber properly. Since the subtropical winter beauty is at war with excess moisture, special precautions must be taken when planting. Read here how to take the special requirements of an amaryllis into account.
Amaryllis bulbs are usually planted in the fall to flower in the winter
The amaryllis feels at home in this substrate
If you plant your knight star in commercially available potting soil, you are doing the plant a disservice. With a view to its South American origin, the Hippeastrum favors a low-humus substrate with a high proportion of mineral components. These formulations have proven themselves in practice:
- One part each of cactus soil and unit soil, optimized with a handful of perlite (37.51€) breathing flakes
- A mix of pricking and potting soil, enriched with lava granules
- Optionally plant in pure coconut fiber substrate
When deciding on the best soil, please consider that a high proportion of humus significantly increases the risk of tuber rot.
How to plant the amaryllis bulb correctly
Please use a pot in which a distance of 3 to 4 cm is guaranteed between the tuber and the edge. Furthermore, only a vessel that has an opening in the bottom for water drainage is suitable. Fill in some broken clay or expanded clay balls as drainage, covered by an air and water-permeable fleece. Proceed as follows:
- Fill the flowerpot two-thirds full with substrate
- Plant the bulb in the center with the tip pointing upwards
- Fill up with soil until half of the bulb is exposed
Finally, press the substrate firmly and place the Ritterstern in a bright location that is not in full sun. With pleasant temperatures between 18 and 22 degrees Celsius, flowering will not be long in coming. Always water an amaryllis from below by pouring the water into the saucer.
tips
A knight's star thrives wonderfully if you don't plant the tuber in the first place. To do this, place the onion in a glass in such a way that only the roots are in the water. Supported by some twigs, the majestic inflorescence rises from the dry amaryllis bulb within 6 to 8 weeks.