Hippeastrum

Hippeastrum

A genus of the Amaryllidaceae found only in South America. They present a fascinating array of species many of which have never even been in cultivation.

Those few that have actually been introduced, have often died out as the entire genus seems prone to disease as well as being very susceptible to viral infections.

Out of the limited introductions a few species seem resistant and have survived and proven to be both growable and excellent, these are the ones to aim for I suspect!

Hippeastrum are not hardy in the UK but they are easy under frost-free, or warmer, glass. They like to be potted, in a fibrous yet fertile and well-drained compost with about 35% of the bulb above the soil surface, after which they should be watered on a little, until roots are well established. Then regular watering and light feeding can be given. Top growth should be allowed to die away when it yellows and a brief, dry rest given in the pot. Disturb them as little as possible, repotting only ever 3-4 years.



Available for ordering from Spring and Autumn lists.

Products

Hippeastrelia Durga Pradhan

(Hippeastrum x Sprekelia) Hippeastrelia Durga Pradhan

A superb cross between Sprekelia formosissima and Hippeastrum. This was made some years ago and amusingly, the botanical experts of the time denied that such a cross could happen and scoffed at those who thought it was possible. History has dealt with the 'experts' in the form of this superb cross which combines all of the merits of both parents into a large flowered, deep-red plant which reliably makes its blooms early every spring. These have the broad overlapping petals of Hippeastrum combined with the floral shape and short stout stems of the Mexican parent.

A pot of fertile, loam based compost is ideal and feeding will ensure that the offsets, which are readily made, will be flowering sized quickly.

Apparently fertile, the second generation seedlings should be interesting, in the meantime you can enjoy the first generation cross, which, incidentally, inherited no bad characters from its parents.

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Hippeastrum Durga Pradhanhipdurpra £5.50
Flowering size or very close.
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Hippeastrum equestre

Hippeastrum equestre

This is supposed to be the same plant as puniceum, however the two plants look and behave very differently here, so we have retained the names.

Orange red flowers with broad, overlapping petals and a green centre. Naturally makes only small bulbs compared with fat commercial hybrids though it is just as easy to grow and under the same conditions.

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Hippeastrum equestrehipequequ £7.50

Hippeastrum roseum

Hippeastrum roseum

Stems from 30-45cm tall each bear up to four flowers of an unusual orange-pink, a colour not encountered in any other species that I know of. Thin, slightly darker orange stripes run the length of the petals converging in the small, lime green throat.

A lovely form, new to our lists in 2009. Cultivation of this small-bulbed plant is as for the normal species.

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Hippeastrum roseumhiprosros £7.50
Nice bulbs, naturally not large.

Hippeastrum vittatum

Hippeastrum vittatum

Broad, crystalline white petals are varying marked and striped with candy pink to cherry red lines. The broad petals overlap at their bases and give a very substantial appearance to this lovely flower and the small green throat adds just enough counterpoint to elevate this to superb.

Cultivation as per normal

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Hippeastrum vittatumhipvitvit £7.50
Flowering size (or close) bulbs.
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