Amaryllis Has Leaf Scorch - Controlling Red Blotch Of Amaryllis Plants

Occasionally, amaryllis will be attacked by a fungus disease called “red blotch” or “leaf scorch” (Stagonospora curtisii) (Figure 6). It usually occurs on shaded plants that are frequently irrigated. Red spots appear on the flower stalks and leaves and enlarge, elongate, and become sunken.

How do I get rid of red spots on my amaryllis?

You can try digging up dormant bulbs, removing diseased parts, then soak them in a 1% bleach/water or 1% hydrogen peroxide/water solution for an hour. Dry and store after treatment. If the bulbs are growing, try replanting into clean soil and apply a systemic copper-based fungicide, until the bulbs go dormant.

How do you care for a red amaryllis?

How to Care for Amaryllis After they Finish Blooming

Snip off the flower stems about 1/2" from the bulb. ...
Place your plants on sunny windowsills so the leaves can gather light, photosynthesize, and provide nourishment to the bulbs. ...
Keep watering your plants so the soil says lightly moist, but never soggy.

What is wrong with my amaryllis?

Although some kits are designed for growing amaryllis in a water culture, these plants will always be sickly and short-lived – they simply aren't designed to sit in stagnant water all day. The bulb or crown may develop fungal rot under constantly wet conditions, causing limp leaves and plant death.

Should you cut the leaves off Amaryllis?

If you cut off the leaves, you're weakening your plant. ... You can cut off the stem if you want, but make sure you keep the leaves in place. Water the plant while it's blooming and keep watering the plant when the bloom is done.

Why do amaryllis leaves turn red?

Amaryllis is particularly prone to red blotch, also known as leaf scorch or red fire, which is caused by the fungus Stagonospora curtisii. This fungal disease produces bright red patches on all parts of the amaryllis. The red patches enlarge and eventually become sunken and moist.

How often should I water amaryllis?

Water until the potting mix is thoroughly moist, but avoid wetting the exposed portion of the bulb. Place your newly planted amaryllis in a sunny spot and you should have blooms in about 8-10 weeks. Amaryllis does not like to sit in water, so wait until the top 2 inches of soil are dry to water again.

How many years will an amaryllis bulb bloom?

With proper care, an amaryllis bulb will grow and bloom for decades. One grower claims his bulb has bloomed every year for 75 years! How often does an amaryllis bloom? The plant generally blooms once a year.

Are coffee grounds good for amaryllis?

They like slightly acid soil so many add a sprinkling of coffee grounds to the standard potting soil. When repotting, try not to disturb the roots too much. You may experience fewer blooms after repotting until the roots resettle. Mature plants should only be repotted when the plant is pot-bound.

Why is my amaryllis only growing leaves?

Amaryllis grows leaves but no flowers if you try to get the plant to rebloom too quickly. The bulb needs time to store up nutrients, followed by an essential dormant period. ... During this time your amaryllis has no flowers, just leaves. Only then should you stop watering and let the bulb dry out.

Can amaryllis bloom twice?

Although amaryllis are typically only sold around the holidays, they can be grown successfully year-round and bloom again as long as they receive proper care.

Will amaryllis bulbs multiply?

Plant bulbs in drifts in your garden for a big show of color. They should bloom the following year, around Mother's Day. If you live in the Upper or Middle South, you can leave your amaryllis in their pots for years. They will multiply and like being crowded.

What is the best fertilizer for amaryllis?

Plant bulbs a foot apart in well-draining soil. Snip any dead leaves to encourage new growth, keep the bulb moist, and feed the amaryllis bulb a fertilizer that is lower in nitrogen, like 0-10-10 or 5-10-10, sometimes called a “blossom booster” fertilizer.

How do you keep amaryllis bulbs after they bloom?

Amaryllis Bulb Storage

When the foliage starts to die back naturally, cut it back to 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm.) above the bulb. Dig your bulb up and store it in a cool, dry, dark place (like a basement) for anywhere between 4 and 12 weeks. Amaryllis bulbs in winter go dormant, so it won't need any water or attention.

What does a rotten bulb look like?

Bulbs that are rotten inside are lighter than healthy bulbs and float in water. ... Dig up bulbs that were healthy when planted, but never came up. Those planted less than 8 inches under the soil may have disappeared -- eaten by moles or other rodents.

Why do amaryllis leaves turn yellow?

Why are my amaryllis leaves turning yellow? The leaves naturally turn yellow as the bulb starts going dormant, which is completely normal. Bulb rot, or under or overwatering can also cause yellowing leaves.

How do you repot an amaryllis bulb?

The best time to repot them is after they have gone through a dormant period.

Loosen the roots with a knife around the edge of the pot.
Gently lift the amaryllis plant and root ball out of the pot.
The plant is now ready for a new, slightly larger pot.

Do you water amaryllis from the top or bottom?

Water the potted bulb ONCE thoroughly, from top and bottom of the pot. Do not water regularly until new green growth appears at the top of the neck. If the soil dries out before that time, water no more than once per week, preferably from the bottom of the pot (see below).

Does an amaryllis need sunlight?

Amaryllis can tolerate both sun and shade fairly well, but typically fares better somewhere in between – like partial shade. Too much sunlight can lead to leaf burn, while flowering may be limited in too much shade. Next, consider the soil in the area you want to grow amaryllis. These bulbs prefer well-draining soil.

How much water does a amaryllis bulb need?

Always use tepid to room- temperature water when watering your Amaryllis. The single Amaryllis will need about 8 ounces (1 cup) of water to stimulate growth, and the containers that have 3 bulbs will need 10 to 12 ounces of water. Containers with four to five bulbs will need 12 to 16 ounces (2 cups).

Can amaryllis take full sun?

Like most flowering bulbs, amaryllis prefer full sun and well-drained soil.

Can you keep amaryllis for next year?

Store the bulb in a paper bag or a box with peat, sawdust or perlite. Allow the pot, or the bulb to remain in that cool place — without watering for at least six weeks, usually 8 to 10 weeks. ... Many gardeners choose to repot amaryllis bulbs each year. If you want to, or if you stored the bare bulb, select a heavy pot.

Is Amaryllis a perennial?

You can grow amaryllis from seed, but it can take up to six years for them to reach maturity and produce flowers. Amaryllis are tender perennials; most are hardy outdoors only in zones 9 to 11. Properly cared for, an amaryllis plant can live for 75 years!