Amaryllis beds

[newton]

I have grown amaryllis previously but in the uk as indoor potted plants. In the UK they usually flower only for two seasons for me before giving up on flowering.

I have set up a new small garden in pakistan so have a lot to learn in respect of how the Pakistan climate and seasons impact on gardening plants like these. I am asking is it possible to succesfully create a small bed of amaryllis on the edge of our lawn and leave the bulbs to naturalise in the soil. Would they naturalise (like daffodils or narcissus in the uk) and flower every year or would they require lifting seasonally

Secondly if they do naturalise what companion plants would provide a pleasant eye catching contrast with them

[Farhan Ahmed]

I am not an Amaryllis grower/specialist....but i can give you the point of view of a complete novice in the field. My zone is 9b ( Highs of 48 C and lows of -5 C)

I bought some amaryllis plants last spring. Planted them under a tree from there on to this day i did not even looked at them. They faced abuse of scorching sun, extreme water logging in monsoon and otherwise also. Frost, no special care, no fertilization and even normal watering as the bed contained other plants as well. They continued to have healthy foliage.

And today they are on buds...My conclusion Amaryllis not even naturalize in our climate but also are totally maintenance free..

[Hamad Ahmed Kisana]

for a brief cultivation of amarylis please visit the thread of honourable brig sb on this link.
http://www.gardeningpakistan.com/viewto ... f=30&t=561

[UMARKHANMARDAN]

Yes Newton they naturalize.Amaryllis along bearded Iris is the fittest bulb for our hot climate.Naturalize single flowered varieties.I will not suggest doubles in open ground.they are good in pots.the reason is that when you make them root bound they will multiply fast.in open ground doubles do not multiply that fast.when the bulb is in open ground it increase its bulb size but multiply slowly.here Amaryllis can flower any time of the year but mostly the flowering is from 1 March to mid May depending on your local climate.the climate as you know in Pakistan is very diverse.Daffodiles are not fit in our climate like in UK you see them flowering in clumps.another thing Amaryllis do not need to be lift.plant it & forget it.they are ever greens so the foliage also serve as a show piece in the garden.

[Muhammad Arif Khan]

Umar has his own logic, to root bound Amaryllis he uses 14 inch + pot, I have never seen a root bound Hippeastrum bulb in that big a pot.
In my experience the baby production depends on genetics’ of the cultivar.
Papilio produces more babies than flowers.

These seedlings were growing in a bed and produced babies while still babes


Arif

[UMARKHANMARDAN]

Arif sb i was getting problem in multiplying amaryllis bulbs.i followed your instructions & planted then in pots.Mashallah this year there are 1-2 bublets with every bulb.i am talking of the doubles only.if the pot size is big i,l plant them in smaller pots.what you suggest Brig sb.