Amaryllis Linn. This genus as constructed by Linneaus was untenable be- 
cause he included plants now known to belong to other genera. The invalid name 
Hippeastrum was used by both Herbert and Baker, but now we are scientifically 
correct when we uSe the name that has always been most popular. To the word 
“Hippeastrum,” literally translated “horse star’? we can now say “horse feath- 
ers,” and forget the word. 
Amaryliis are the easiest, the most showy and popular of all bulbs for grow- 
ing in pots. Equally desirable for southern gardens where they are hardy along 
the east coast to N. Car. and on the west to Vancouver. In the middle section 
they may be grown as far north as Ark. and Okla., but note special directions for 
colder sections. 
How To Grow Amaryllis. In the garden, in the deep south where temepera- 
tures go only a few degrees under freezing, Amaryllis bulbs need to be covered 
only about an inch or two. Farther north they should be planted about an inch 
below frost penetration, in protected places and mulched with straw, leaves and/ 
or brush. In Okla., a customer reports a depth of 4” with mulch is safe. One in 
S. E. Kansas (Ft. Scott) reported Amaryllis, covered 4” with soil and a heavy ' 
mulch above it, survived last winter and bloomed well in spring. But on the 
border line, do not plant expensive bulbs outside. Try our “Hardy Hybrids” and 
don’t plant over about 6” deep to top of bulb. 4” deep is better. 
In Pots. A bulb 3” or less in diam. needs a 7” pot, and larger bulbs need 
larger pots. It is better to pot in Nov. or Dec. Better blooms result. But one can 
pot them as late as March and it is better late than never. The early potted bulbs 
will start more easily and give better flowers, but in either case the flowers will 
be better and will show more fully their full quality the second year. 
The best potting soil is a rich sandy loam. If not sandy use a friable loam and 
add sand. To this add an equal quantity of well screened and well rotted dairy 
manure and leaf mould. Use no fresh or partially decayed manure and no peat or 
sphagnum. One tablespoonful of bone meal to each pot is recommended. Mix all 
ingredients thoroly. 
In potting the bulbs, carefully preserve any living roots, even remnants. Clean 
but do not scrape the base of the bulb and dust the moistened surface of base and 
the roots with Rootone. If there are no roots, coat base of bulb with Rootone, 
which will hasten their formation. 
Pot the bulb two-thirds above surface and water enough to settle soil. After 
this keep the soil only slightly moist until growth starts, then gradually increase. 
When first potted set them in a cool, light room but not in sunlight. The best . 
temperature now is not over 50°. The bulbs must have sufficient time to form a 
good root system under these conditions. If placed in a warm room and exposed 
to the sun, top growth will be made before roots, and the results are poor flowers 
or none. 
When you are sure that roots have formed, but not before, water the plants 
- as directed with (or without) Vit. B-1. But be sure to leave the bulbs a sufficient 
length of time in a cool room. They need this period of dormancy and sufficient 
time to make a good root system. Many fail because they try to force buibs before 
they have rested and have made good roots. If you get a poor flower it may be 
because the bulb had no roots and had only the sustenance stored in the bulb 
from which to make flowers. Lack of a good root system to nourish the flower 
will affect the quality of the flower in every way — size, substance and even 
color. So, don’t remove pots from the cool room too soon. Wait until they demand 
it by top growth. Then bring the pots by easy stages to a temperature of 50°, 
60°, then about 65°. Day time temp. should never be much over 70° for best 
blooming. 
After flowering the bulb has shrunk and a long period of growth is necessary. 
If good growth is made at this important stage, the bulb will become much larger 
and offsets may be made. Keep them growing as long as possible. When the 
weather is warm outside the pots may be plunged in the garden. If rim of pot is 
sufficiently below soil surface the roots may emerge and add range to the root 
system. Or better still, shift the bulb and the unbroken lump of soil to the 
garden. Water liberally during growth and when in good growth use manure 
water or mulch with manure. This is good advice for pot grown bulbs as well, 
10 
