[pbs] Amaryllis Trouble
Glen Pace
pacegardens at charter.net
Mon Oct 29 19:57:39 EST 2007
----- Original Message -----
From: "C.J. Teevan" <gardenstreet184 at yahoo.com>
I do not personally have any trouble with Amaryllis but my cultivation does
not seem much different from his. I do not overwater, I rarely fertilize
except with some amending Bonemeal for the potting soil which is once every
3 or 4 years.
One thing that could be a possibility is that there is an insect infestation
of the basal plate. I have had a larvae of some sort of bug that eats
through the basal plate and causes the "shrinking effect" effect you have
described, the healthy looking leaves and all. If the bulbs are taken out
of the pots in the fall and the basal plate inspected you may see a tiny
hole in the basal plate. If the bulb is split you can find the larvae
inside the bulb eating away. I have not seen the adult of this larvae, but
it will kill a bulb in a few seasons. I would also suggest putting the
bulbs in as much sun as possible during the summer months.
Sorry, but I do not remember the name of the bug that I am writing about and
I am not saying that it is the problem, but I have had the problem with the
larvae and know of its capabilities first hand. I am sure that others on
the list can give the name of the menace.
I have been growing Amaryllis hybrids in my USDA zone 5 summer gardens for a
number of years and this pest is the only significant problem I have had
with them. I get reliable blooming from mine with the pot year round
method, but the soil is changed every few years and fertilizer is used a
couple of times during the growing season. I have to admit that I do not
have good habits when it comes to fertilizing. If they are hit two times a
summer they are lucky. I have found that the drainage is more necessary
than anything else especially when they are being grown in the house. Once
outside they can withstand just about anything nature throws at them, but
under house lighting they tend to develop root problems rather quickly.
Hopefully, this will give another perspective to consider.
Glen Pace
Pace Gardens
Clio, MI USA
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