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Hippeastrum (Galaxy Group) 'Spartacus' (PBR)

amaryllis bulb

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'Spartacus' makes a brilliant stand-out (or should that be ‘stand-up’?) amaryllis with its festive red and white blooms, a top choice for Christmas displays. Each bulb produces tall, elegant stems capped with 4 or more striking flowers. The vivid blooms reach 15-20cm (6-8in) across, showcasing rich red petals marked with a luminous white star pattern and bright apple-green throat. Grown indoors, the cheerful blooms provide weeks of enjoyment around the holidays and into late winter.

How to care for Hippeastrum (Galaxy Group) Spartacus (PBR):

Set the bulb in a pot containing good quality compost so that the top two-thirds are exposed. Water the compost only when the surface is dry; too much just after potting can cause the bulb to rot. Keep the plant in a bright spot avoiding direct sun, and rotate the plant periodically to avoid the emerging flower stalk leaning towards the light. Leaves will appear shortly after flowering.

Once flowering has finished, cut off the flower stalk 5-10cm above the bulb - don't cut off the foliage. Water when the surface of the compost is dry and feed fortnightly with a balanced liquid fertiliser. Reduce and cease watering from early autumn and move to a dry, dark spot for a few months allowing the foliage to die back, simulating the dormant, dry season of the plant’s native South America. In November bring it back into the light and begin watering again. Old foliage should be removed, though take care not to remove any new shoots. Expect flowers in six to eight weeks.

Please note that newly planted bulbs, using the technique described above, can take up to eight weeks to flower so plant or purchase as gifts in mid- to late October for flowering at Christmas. Bulbs purchased as gifts for Christmas are likely to flower from early February onwards.
Flowering period:
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec
Eventual height:
0.6m
Eventual spread:
0.2m
Position:

Bright light

Rate of growth:

Fast-growing

Soil:

Peat-free general-purpose compost

Hardiness:

Frost tender

  • InformationThis bulb dies back after flowering each year and enters a period of rest ahead of regrowth the following season.
  • InformationHumans/Pets: Harmful if eaten

Product options

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BU30003857
1 × bulb
£14.99
Delivery options (pick your preferred option at checkout)
Standard delivery Bulbs (only)£4.95
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