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A little about Amaryllis flowers and their history:
Amaryllis flowers history is very fascinating. Presently the amaryllis flowers are usually associated with Holland mostly but the amaryllis flowers have not originated in that place.
Around 1828, a young doctor Uduard Frederich Poepping was hunting for plants in Chile. In this expedition, he spotted very vibrant blooms on a Chilean mountain.
Beauty of Amaryllis flowers
He was amused by their beauty and is said to have shouted with joy at the spectacular sight of the beautiful amaryllis flowers. The name amaryllis flowers are based on the name of Greek Mythology- Amaryllis is the name of a Greek Shepherdess. The amaryllis flowers later reached Europe where they were hybridized. The hybridizers from Holland experimented with the different varieties of the Amaryllis flowers and made the large-flowered amaryllis flowers that can be seen today.
Other names of amaryllis flowers
Amaryllis flowers are also called as the flowering bulb Hippeastrum. Modern hybrids of Amaryllis flowers are called Giant Amaryllis flowers or the Royal Dutch amaryllis flowers.
Colors of Amaryllis flowers
Amaryllis flowers are noted for their flamboyance and the delightful colors. The amaryllis flowers are known for their bright colors and their big flowers. Now, almost two centuries later, their flamboyant, robust flowers continue to delight.
Amaryllis flowers are sold at nurseries and garden centers as indoor flowering plants. Amaryllis is perfect for adding colorful punch to buffet tables, sophisticated cocktail parties or traditional family gatherings.
Amaryllis flowers for decorations
Apart from the holiday seasons when amaryllis flowers are in much use for decorations in parties and other occasions, amaryllis flowers can be enjoyed all the year long. The amaryllis flowers varieties flower from spring through winter in places such as the San Diego. Amaryllis flowers become very soft and tender in the cold climates.
Growing Amaryllis flowers
Growing amaryllis flowers is very easy. Planting and growing amaryllis flowers is so easy that it can be said that any person who cannot grow amaryllis flowers may very well quit the idea of gardening. "They want to grow and flower, even without water or sun light," Threadgill says. "If a person can't grow an amaryllis, then it's better to take up bowling or some other hobby than gardening."
Amaryllis flowers: Climate
In a moderately cool climate, amaryllis bulbs stay fresh and healthy for nearly an year. In warmer temperatures, the amaryllis flowers flower in about two to four weeks. The amaryllis flowers don’t grow very well only in one month of the year- August.
Amaryllis flowers as Holiday gifts
Amaryllis flowers are associated mostly with fall through winter. Amaryllis flowers are a very popular in the holiday season as gifts for friends and for decorations. The actual time for amaryllis flowers to bloom is in the months of May and June. But the amaryllis flowers are dug from the ground and chilled for blooming in the months of December.
Amaryllis flowers can grow in December provided they have been chilled for many months. But this is true for only some varieties of the amaryllis flowers. Some of such varieties are the South African bulbs. When the bulbs are dug out and planted in pots, the amaryllis flowers appear in about one month. The South African bulbs are sold as Christmas amaryllis.
Amaryllis flowers: Varieties
With growing popularity, an amaryllis flower is being grown in different areas and indifferent colors. The amaryllis flowers are now not restricted to a few colors such as the white, orange, red, and pink. The amaryllis flowers are now grown in different colors and different sizes. The new amaryllis flowers are even available as double colored flowers and bloom in bold colors, pastels and bicolor.
Amaryllis flowers: Categories
Amaryllis flowers are separated into five main categories. The five categories are :
Large flowered, small flowered, trumpets, double-flowered and cybister.
Large flowered amaryllis flowers: Large-flowered are the most popular and widely grown. The large flowered amaryllis flowers are about 8 to 10 inches in diameter. The stems of these large amaryllis flowers also grow to about 2 feet tall. The large flowered amaryllis flowers are available in a range of colors, bicolor or striped.
Small-flowered amaryllis flowers: Small-flowered amaryllis flowers are called miniature amaryllis flowers produce flowers which are up to 3 to 5 inches in diameter on stems of up to 12 to 15 inches. The amaryllis flowers bulbs of this variety are often a little smaller.
Trumpet Amaryllis flowers: Trumpet amaryllis flowers are named so because of the shape of the flowers. These amaryllis flowers resemble lilies. These flowers are lightly scented.
Double flowered Amaryllis flowers: Double-flowered amaryllis flowers refer to the increased number of petals on each flower head. The trumpet amaryllis is available in pure red, pure white, or with red or blush pink edges and stripes.
Cybister amaryllis flowers: Cybister amaryllis flowers are perhaps the most unusual type of amaryllis flowers. This variety was developed by a San Diego-area plant breeder, the late Fred Meyer. The cybister amaryllis has been derived from the Brazilian species . These hybrids have long, narrow petals with finely striped splashes of green or burgundy.
Amaryllis flowers: Price range
Large amaryllis bulbs (30-32 cm.) can range in price from $8.95 to $20; miniature, cybister and trumpet amaryllis are about $10 to $12.
Growing Amaryllis flowers
As we have mentioned earlier, growing amaryllis flowers is very easy. Here is the procedure for planting amaryllis flowers. To place the amaryllis flowers, choose a container only slightly larger than the bulb. Place the bulb in the container and add potting soil making sure that the top of the bulb, where it tapers upward, is above soil level. Water thoroughly, and then keep soil moist but not soggy until growth begins.
Place container in sunny location. If there isn't enough light, the stalk may grow excessively. When flowers appear, move to a place with less light to preserve flower color and length of bloom. Some large-flowered varieties grow so tall that they may require staking. You can also grow several bulbs together in a larger, but not deeper container. Miniature amaryllis is especially showy in this type of display.
After blooming, remove spent stalks several inches above the bulb top. Return pot to a sunny location to promote healthy leaves, which help supply food for next year's flowers.
If you want to keep them in pots, keep watering and fertilize monthly with a water-soluble houseplant fertilizer. Some varieties are evergreen; others lose their leaves. Plants ultimately will revert to their normal bloom period of May and June.
Amaryllis flowers also can be planted in a landscape here. For coastal gardens, select a sunny location. Inland, they do better with afternoon shade, which keeps flowers from fading.
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Author Bio Box: Arlene Wright Correll
 Resources: Excerpted from “Food For Thought Series” by Arlene Wright-Correll
For more gardening or cooking information click http://www.learn-america.com/ and click on Arlene’s Books you can download or buy my gardening & cook books. All my royalties from the sale of my books go to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and we thank you for your attention to this site.
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