Hippeastrum cybister Chico - Photo courtesy of Sue Taylor
I know its a looong time until Christmas, but if you want some striking looking, untraditional flowers for Christmas this year you should start planning ahead now! Hippeastrum cybisters hybrids are a part of the Amaryllis family, but quite unusal looking compared to the traditional "Christmas Amaryllises" widely avvaliable. You can buy these from mail order catalogues, and well stocked garden centers around this time of year. Usually the supply of the rare varieties are scarce, so don't linger too long before getting them...
Last year I had a Hippeastrum cybister papilio, and impressed by its fluttering green and mauve flowers I've decided to grow more Amaryllises this year. Especially I'm looking forward to the striking looking Chico! ;-)
Amaryllises usually takes about 8-10 weeks to bloom after potting, and some of the Hippeastrum cybisters will require a couple of weeks more, so after receiving your bulbs store them in a cool, dry place until ready to pot. This is how I do the potting and caring:
- Use a small pot, or plant many bulbs closely together in a larger pot.
- Place a layer of lightly moist soil on the bottom half of the pot.
- Place bulb on top of soil.
- Add dry soil on top. Make sure the top third of the bulb is exposed.
- Place in a light and warm place.
- Wait.
- Water lightly to prevent bulb rot or diseases.