South American flower hippeastrum - for flower growers the plant is not new. He has long taken pride of place on the list of the most common indoor crops. The most decorative are large-flowered varieties - their funnel-shaped flowers sometimes exceed 25 cm in diameter. But not many manage to admire these beautiful inflorescences. Often in indoor conditions there is an increase in green mass. To understand how to make hippeastrum bloom, you should know the features of its development and the necessary growing conditions.
Features of the flowering period
In winter, the hippeastrum begins a flowering period. Numerous varieties of this plant have the most diverse color of inflorescences from snow-white to purple. Some varieties delight with a pleasant aroma.
Blooming hippeastrum - the joy of the grower
Hippeastrum blooms spectacularly. The flowers are very large, funnel-shaped with a wavy edge of the petals. Collected in inflorescences of several pieces, which sit on tall flowery tubular arrows. Adult plants with a large bulb can simultaneously produce 2 or even 3 arrows.
Beautiful inflorescence of hippeastrum
At the very beginning of flowering, special attention should be paid to the watering regime. This plays a crucial role in the successful growth of arrows and the blooming of flowers. There are a number of important points:
- at a shooter height of 6-8 cm, the plant is watered sparingly;
- as the shooters grow, the frequency of watering and the degree of soil moisture increase;
- when the arrow grows to 13-15 cm, the plant is watered with a weak solution of manganese;
- after 5-6 days, mineral phosphate top dressing is used.
Note! If you increase the abundance of watering ahead of schedule, the growth of the arrow will slow down significantly.
During flowering, they handle the flower with extreme care. You can not rearrange the pot to another place, as well as expose the plant to sudden changes in temperature. Drafts or exposure to cold air can lead not only to stop the growth of the arrow, but also to bud dropping.
Why hippeastrum does not bloom, but only releases leaves
In order for the hippeastrum to release a flower arrow, it needs some kind of stress. What for? Only in cramped conditions will the plant direct its forces to the formation of arrows and buds.
Often, flower growers create excessively comfortable conditions for the hippeastrum - they are planted in a large pot, fed with fertilizers or watered too often. Active leaf growth is affected by top dressing containing nitrogen. As a result of such care, the plant is actively increasing its vegetative mass, and refuses to bloom.
If you create the appropriate conditions for the hippeastrum and strictly adhere to the recommendations regarding watering, fertilizing and planting, the plant will delight in flowering by spring.
With proper care, hippeastrum blooms actively
Reasons for the lack of flowering
Achieving hippeastrum flowering is not so simple. First of all, you need to pay attention to factors that can affect the appearance of colors. They will indicate the reason why the hippeastrum does not bloom.
Alternation of the vegetation phase and dormancy
The development of the flower has features - a period of active growth and flowering alternates with a period of rest. Only when observing the cycle does the plant bloom. For this reason, create an environment that contributes to a smooth transition of the flower from one phase to another.
The rest period lasts from September to November. Closer to the beginning of this phase, they reduce the frequency of watering and stop feeding. The pot is moved to a cooler and shaded place. Gradually, the growth of the leaves will stop and they will begin to fade and dry out.
It's important to know! The resting phase should take place as naturally as possible. Rearrange the flower from place to place, as well as remove dried leaves is not worth it.
At the end of November, hippeastrum begin to wake up. To do this, put the pot in a warm and bright place. Watering is gradually increasing.
Bulb Depth
An important role is played by the correct planting of the hippeastrum bulb. The depth of its placement in the soil directly affects the presence or absence of flowers.
When planting the bulb, it is buried only 2/3 of the size, and the rest should be above the soil surface. Soil during planting use either ready-made or a mixture of turf land, peat and sand in a ratio of 2: 1: 1.
Proper planting of the bulb is the key to flowering
Conditions of detention
Hippeastrum can bloom only in the most favorable conditions. To do this, consider a number of recommendations that relate to the content of the flower in a room setting.
Lighting
Diffused but intense light is preferred. For the location of the pot, the southwest window would be ideal.
Humidity
The optimum moisture content is 70-80%. Spraying on a sheet is not recommended. To increase the humidity level, it is recommended to install pallets with wet pebbles or expanded clay in the immediate vicinity of the pot. The ideal option is a humidifier.
Watering
In different periods of development, the abundance and frequency of irrigation is different. In a state of active growth and flowering, the soil is moistened regularly as the soil dries up by 2-3 cm. After flowering, watering is reduced. During dormancy, the soil is moistened no more than 2-3 times.
Temperature
Hippeastrum grows and develops best at temperatures of 20-22 ℃ above zero. In winter, it is reduced to 12-15 ℃.
Soil composition
For planting bulbs, a nutritious and breathable substrate is used. It is purchased in the garden center or prepared from peat, sand and turf land at home.
Top dressing
Mineral fertilizers begin to be applied at a flower arrow height of 12-15 cm. Re-feed twice during the flowering period with a frequency of 14-16 days. As a fertilizer, it is preferable to use mixtures in which phosphorus and potassium predominate.
Note! To understand why hippeastrum does not bloom, care at home should be carefully analyzed. If you properly care and do everything according to the rules - the result will be accurate.
Observing all the recommendations listed above, it can be expected that in December the hippeastrum will not only begin to produce leaves, but will also bloom.
Pot size
The flower has a feature - it grows better in cramped conditions. Only in a small-volume pot does the bulb produce flower arrows. The size of the container for planting should exceed the diameter of the bulb by no more than 1-1.5 cm.
On a note! The roots of the hippeastrum grow deep, while not expanding at all. Pot choose a deep and small diameter.
The pot needs a narrow and deep
Diseases and Pests
Only a healthy plant can grow, and even more so bloom. Affected by diseases or pests, hippeastrum is not able to form an arrow and inflorescences. If you do not follow the rules for caring for the flower, the bulb may suffer from powdery mildew and various rot.
The main cause of trouble is excessive watering. If the plant is already affected, the bulb is removed from the pot, cleaned from the disease-damaged scales and processed. Additionally, a transplant is performed with a complete replacement of the soil in a disinfected container.
Additional Information! The flower also suffers from pests. The most frequent guests are thrips, spider mites and aphids. In such a situation, first of all, the flower is isolated from other plants, and then they are treated with insecticides.
How to “cheat” hippeastrum and make it bloom
In order to artificially provoke the flowering of the hippeastrum, a technique similar to the forcing of bulbous ones such as hyacinths and tulips is used. Actions are performed sequentially:
- From the first months of summer to September, plants are actively watered and fed with fertilizers every 2 weeks.
- In mid-September, pots with bulbs are moved to a dark, cool place and left alone until the end of November.
- At the indicated time, the plants are placed in a warm place with a temperature of 30-35 ℃. Provide moderate lighting and wait for the arrow to appear.
- When the flower stalk pecks out, begin to moisten the soil daily with warm water (30 ℃).
- In December, when the arrows appear, the pots are put in a well-lit place and intensify watering.
- Further care involves regular soil moisture and fertilizing.
Following this pattern, the plant is artificially forced to bloom. More cardinal methods exist, such as exposure to sudden changes in temperature or abrupt cessation of watering. But the described method allows you to achieve flowering without the slightest damage to the flower and is the most humane.
With effort you can make the hippeastrum bloom
Hippeastrum bloom is beautiful. A positive outcome can be hoped only if all the recommendations for flower care are followed.
