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Queen Amaryllis

 Phaedranassa carmioli - the Queen Amaryllis

Phaedranassa carmiolii

 

 Plant your bulb in a pot at least twice as wide as the bulb.  If you live in a hotter climate, it's best to use an oversized pot, to keep the bulb cooler.

 It likes well-draining soil.  A typical mix is 2 parts potting soil, 2 parts perlite or pumice, and 1 part horticultural sand.  

 Plant the bulb with the neck around soil level (slightly below or above it is fine).  Water the soil so it is evenly moist (but not soggy).

 If your bulb has leaves, start it in bright shade, and increase the sun a little at a time over a few weeks. 

Climate -- It comes from an area with mild temperatures, and cooler nights.  It has handled temperatures in the mid- to upper-80s (30°C), but i don't know how it will fare in warmer conditions, especially if nights are warm.  In hotter climates, it may be wise to induce dormancy during the summer by letting the soil dry out, then store it in a cool spot until Autumn.  

 It likes bright light with a few hours of direct sun (or strong artificial light).  In warmer climates, it may need some afternoon shade. 

 There are reports of the dormant bulb handling winter temperatures down to the low- to mid-20s (-5°C) if planted deep, however i would protect it from all frost if you want it to grow throughout winter.

 Keep the soil evenly moist, unless it goes dormant.

Fertilizing -- Feed about every 2-3 months with a general-purpose fertilizer that contains micronutrients.

Dormancy care -- The bulb may drop its leaves and go dormant if the soil dries out completely.  If it goes dormant while the soil is moist, allow the soil to dry out a bit so it remains slightly moist until the bulb emerges from dormancy in about 2-4 months.  Avoid letting the soil dry out completely.

 When the bulb nears flowering size (almost 2 inches / 5 cm wide), do not transplant it or disturb the roots, as this may delay flowering.

Pests -- Not usually bothered by pests, but mealy bugs might show up as cottony growth around the neck of the bulb.

 

 

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