If the term amaryllis is used in general, it is usually a knight star. The subtropical onion flower inspires as a houseplant with winter flowers. Thus, the cultivation follows an opposite vegetation cycle, which can be easily mastered with a little rethinking. These care instructions provide answers to all important questions.

Good care rewards the amaryllis with beautiful flowers in winter

How do I water the amaryllis correctly?

The water requirement increases in proportion to the growth, only to be reduced to a minimum in the direction of dormancy. How to water an amaryllis correctly:

  • After planting, water moderately until they sprout
  • Keep the substrate constantly moist during the flowering phase (December to February).
  • During the summer growth phase (March to July), gradually reduce the water supply
  • Stop watering while the plant is dormant (August to October).

After you have repotted the flower bulbs in November, the vegetation cycle starts all over again. Please only use soft water or collected, filtered rainwater. To reduce the risk of the tuber rotting, please put the water in the saucer.

When and how should a knight star be fertilized?

Only when the flowering period is over does the supply of nutrients to an amaryllis begin. From this point on, fertilize every 14 days with a liquid fertilizer for tropical flowering plants. Under normal conditions, the fertilization phase extends over the months of April/May to July/August.

How do I care for the amaryllis after flowering?

In order for these care instructions to result in a recurring amaryllis bloom, professional handling after flowering is important. How to do it right:

  • Cut off faded flowers as soon as possible
  • Continue watering throughout the summer
  • Fertilize liquid every 14 days until July

After you stop watering in August, the leaves will withdraw completely. Then cut off the foliage during the dormant phase. The Ritterstern lingers in the dark cellar at a cool 15 degrees Celsius to gather fresh strength for the next flowering period.

Cut leaves - yes or no?

After you have cut off the withered flower heads, the summer growth phase begins for the knight star. The care program continues seamlessly, supplemented by a dose of liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks. The leaves play a key role in this interaction and must not be cut off. Only when the knight star is no longer watered and fertilized from August onwards will the flower bulb pull in the leaves. In September/October you can then remove the leaves without worrying.

How do I repot a knight's star correctly?

At the end of the period of dormancy, give your Ritterstern new impetus by properly repotting the bulbs in fresh substrate. After the plant was able to regenerate in dry soil in the dark, cool cellar, the starting signal for the next winter blossom festival will be given in November. Please put on gloves to tackle the work in this order:

  • Fill a stable, stable flower pot with a mix of standard soil and horn shavings
  • Beforehand, lay a 2 cm high drainage layer of potsherds or expanded clay (€19.73) above the water drain in the ground
  • Repot the knight star to cut off the retracted leaves and visibly dried roots
  • Put the onion only so deep into the substrate that the upper half is not covered with soil

Press the substrate firmly with your hands and water. It is an advantage if you pour the soft, room-warm water into the coaster. Due to capillary action, moisture is drawn into the substrate without the exposed part of the bulb getting wet. The coaster can then be emptied after 10 minutes.

What diseases are amaryllis threatened by?

Its high poison content does not protect the knight star from diseases. It is explicitly the following two fungal infections that can cause you headaches in the context of care. We have compiled important details on symptoms and possible control methods for you here:

Red Burner (Anthracnose)

Visible symptoms are red leaf spots with a yellow edge that extend to the bulb. In the further course, the spots flow into each other. The foliage turns brown and the stem rots. Cut out burnt parts of the plant and dust the cuts with charcoal powder. As a preventive measure, care should be taken to ensure that the exposed part of the bulb is not wetted with water.

Leaf spot disease (Septoria)

This fungal disease also manifests itself in the form of red leaf spots. These differ from the Red Burner in that they are outlined in red and are transparent. Cut off infected leaves and dispose of them with household waste. Since a warm, humid microclimate offers the fungal spores ideal living conditions, a change of location to a cool, dry location is recommended.

tips

A star star also thrives in hydroponics. In this variant, the thick flower bulbs are completely covered with clay balls. Explicitly a perfect solution for the beginner, since the somewhat tricky water balance of the South American flower beauty can be regulated without any problems.

Category:

Vegetable garden