Amaryllis Linn. This genus as constructed by Linneaus was untenable because 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. 
Amaryllis are the easiest, the most showy and popular of all bulbs for growing 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 temperatures go 
only a few degrees under freezing, Amaryllis bulbs need to be covered only about an inch 
or two. Farther north they may be planted deeper in protected places and mulched with 
straw, leaves and/or brush. In Okla., a customer reports a depth of 4” with mulch is safe. 
Try our “Hardy Hybrids.” Amaryllis must not be planted close to trees, shrubs or large 
vigorous plants, whose roots compete and take the moisture. Irrigate frequently. Rain is 
seldom enough. The most common error is lack of sufficient moisture. They are endemic 
to the tropics and in many cases, where there is almost daily rain. The soil should contain 
much humus. Add well rotted manure and if not slightly acid, add some peat but do 
not acidify the soil with sulphur or aluminum sulphate. We do not advise planting 
imported, greenhouse grown bulbs in the outside garden. 
In Pots. A 22” bulb requires a 6” pot. Give a 3” to 34%” bulb a 7” pot. Remove 
dead roots but every vestige of living root should be left on. Our best success in flowering 
Amaryllis and in growing them on to larger, better bulbs is in a soil mixture composed 
of clean, sharp sand one part by volume and a mixture of pure organic material two or 
three parts. The latter may be pure peat or about half peat and half well broken up or 
decayed leaf mould, woods earth or completely reduced compost. The final mixture 
should have enough sand to feel very gritty. Such a mixture drains quickly but retains 
enough moisture around the roots. 
To this mixture we add a tablespoon of bone meal and a teaspoon of blood meal. 
This is enough fertilizer until after bulbs have flowered. 
One curved piece of pot over pot hole is sufficient for good drainage. Cover this 
with a layer of wet sphagnum. Set bulb in soil and mulch top surface with a layer of 
wet sphagnum. The neck and about 2 of bulb should be above soil surface. This surface 
should be 4” below pot rim. In potting carefully spread out all living roots as they are 
a great advantage to bulbs. Such bulbs will start more quickly and may be given a warm 
temperature at once. If there are few or no living roots on bulbs, set them first in a 
cool place, about 50°, for roots to form and growth start. 
We water at once and again when growth has started. With mixture above advised, 
one is not likely to over water tho you should be a little careful at first, if the bulb 
had no living roots. For as long as they will grow, potted Amaryllis need frequent 
watering. They are not only heavy drinkers but gross feeders. If you give liquid manure 
or Spoonit every 3 or 4 weeks, it will be about right. It is also good to vary the diet. 
Amaryllis like the sun. If the foliage fades the sun may be too strong or you may 
not be watering enough. In mid summer in our greenhouses we usually have to apply 
a little shading to the glass, partly on account of temperatures which may go to over 
100° even in our air conditioned houses. Whitewash shading can be easily washed off 
when cooler weather arrives. In the house, give them a sunny window. Keep the bulbs 
growing vigorously until fall, Oct. or Nov. When outer leaves begin to go down, buds 
have been formed for next season’s flowers and bulbs may be dried off and stored in a 
cool place. Inspect frequently. 
This describes the method we used this season and formerly. 314” bulbs potted 
from Dec. to about Mar. increased in size. A few burst their 7” pots. Some became fully 
5” in diam., others 4” to almost 5”. 
A. Ambigua. Lily shaped, white flowers with pink markings, on tall straight stems. 
5 to 7 flowers in an umbel. The exquisite spicy fragrance perfumes the entire garden. 
Plant 4” deep in garden in south, to Okla. $2.50. 
Howard and Smith Hybrids. These are grown from seed produced by moving 
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