Hippeastrum 'Rosalie'
amaryllis bulb
This bulb dies back after flowering each year and enters a period of rest ahead of regrowth the following season.
- Position: Bright to indirect light
- Soil: Peat free, general-purpose potting compost
- Flowering period: December to February
- Hardiness: Frost tender (will need winter protection)
- Bulb size: 26/28
Hippeastrum 'Rosalie' charms with its soft, delicate beauty, producing elegant stems up to 60cm (24in) tall. Each bulb yields stems topped with 4-5 cheerful flowers, blooming 8-10 weeks after planting. The large, eye-catching blooms reach 15cm (6in) across and showcase salmon-pink petals highlighted by white markings and a pale lime-green throat. This variety stands shorter than some amaryllis, making it ideal for smaller situations, but still allowing the understated yet vivid colouring and generous blooms to brighten any room in late winter. Though bulbs may be slow to sprout at first, 'Rosalie' is easy to grow once established, returning year after year with its graceful floral display.
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 early November for flowering at Christmas. Bulbs purchased as gifts for Christmas are likely to flower from early February onwards.
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 early November for flowering at Christmas. Bulbs purchased as gifts for Christmas are likely to flower from early February onwards.
- Humans/Pets: Harmful if eaten