How to Grow Amaryllis from Seeds: A Complete Guide

Key Takeaways

• Amaryllis is a beautiful flowering plant that can be grown from seeds to create new hybrids, save money, and enjoy the challenge.
• To grow amaryllis from seeds, you need to harvest the seeds from the pods, soak them in water, peel off the coat, and label them.
• You need to plant the seeds in a well-drained soil mix, in a small pot, and in a warm and bright location.
• You need to care for the seedlings by watering them regularly, fertilizing them monthly, and protecting them from pests and diseases.
• You need to make the plants bloom by inducing dormancy and flowering through temperature, light, and water manipulation.
• You need to pollinate the flowers manually or naturally to create new hybrids or save seeds for future planting.

Amaryllis is a genus of flowering plants native to South Africa, also known as Hippeastrum. They are popular for their large, showy, and colorful flowers that bloom in winter or spring. Amaryllis can be grown from bulbs or seeds, but growing them from seeds has some advantages. You can create new hybrids with different colors, shapes, and patterns. You can save money by producing your own seeds instead of buying bulbs. You can also enjoy the challenge and satisfaction of growing amaryllis from seeds.

In this article, we will show you how to grow amaryllis from seeds step by step. We will cover the following topics:

• How to plant amaryllis seeds
• How to care for amaryllis seedlings
• How to make amaryllis bloom from seeds

Let’s get started!

How to Plant Amaryllis Seeds

The first step in growing amaryllis from seeds is to harvest the seeds from the pods. Amaryllis flowers produce seed pods after pollination, either manually or naturally. The pods are green and swollen at first, but they turn brown and dry when they are ready to harvest. You can harvest the pods when they start to split open, usually 4 to 6 weeks after pollination.

To harvest the seeds, you need to cut off the pods from the flower stalks and place them in a paper bag. Then, you need to shake the bag gently to release the seeds from the pods. The seeds are black and flat, with a thin coat around them.

Next, you need to prepare the seeds for planting. You need to soak the seeds in water for 24 hours to soften the coat and speed up germination. Then, you need to peel off the coat carefully and discard it. The coat may contain fungus spores that can infect the seeds. You also need to label the seeds with their parentage if you want to keep track of your hybrids.

Now, you are ready to plant the seeds in the soil. You need to choose a well-drained soil mix that contains equal parts of peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite. You also need a small pot with drainage holes for each seed or a larger pot with several seeds spaced 2 inches apart. You need to fill the pot with soil up to 1 inch below the rim and moisten it slightly.

To plant the seeds, you need to make a small hole in the soil with your finger or a pencil and place one seed in each hole. Then, you need to cover the seed lightly with soil and press it gently. You don’t need to bury the seed too deep, just enough to keep it moist.

Finally, you need to place the pot in a warm and bright location, such as a windowsill or under a grow light. The ideal temperature for germination is between 70°F and 80°F. The seed should sprout within 2 to 4 weeks.

Here is a table that summarizes how to plant amaryllis seeds:

How to Care for Amaryllis Seedlings

The second step in growing amaryllis from seeds is to care for the seedlings. Amaryllis seedlings are delicate and need proper attention to grow healthy and strong. You need to provide adequate sunlight, water, fertilizer, and protection for the seedlings.

Sunlight

Amaryllis seedlings need bright and indirect sunlight to thrive. You need to place the pot in a location that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight per day, such as a south-facing or east-facing windowsill. You can also use a grow light to supplement the natural light if needed. You need to avoid direct sunlight, especially in summer, as it can scorch the leaves and dry out the soil.

Water

Amaryllis seedlings need moist but not soggy soil to grow. You need to water the pot regularly, but not too frequently or too much. You can check the soil moisture by inserting your finger into the soil up to the second knuckle. If the soil feels dry, you need to water the pot until the water drains out of the holes. If the soil feels wet, you need to wait until it dries out a bit before watering again.

You need to avoid overwatering or underwatering the pot, as both can cause problems for the seedlings. Overwatering can lead to root rot, fungal infections, and wilting. Underwatering can lead to drought stress, stunted growth, and leaf drop.

Fertilizer

Amaryllis seedlings need nutrients to grow and develop. You need to fertilize the pot monthly with a balanced liquid fertilizer that contains equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (N-P-K). You can use a 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 fertilizer diluted to half-strength according to the label instructions. You need to apply the fertilizer after watering the pot thoroughly.

You need to avoid overfertilizing or underfertilizing the pot, as both can harm the seedlings. Overfertilizing can cause salt buildup, leaf burn, and nutrient imbalance. Underfertilizing can cause nutrient deficiency, poor growth, and weak flowering.

Protection

Amaryllis seedlings need protection from pests and diseases that can damage or kill them. You need to inspect the pot regularly for any signs of infestation or infection, such as holes, spots, webs, or discoloration on the leaves or stems. You also need to remove any dead or diseased plant parts and dispose of them properly.

Some of the common pests and diseases that affect amaryllis seedlings are:

• Aphids: Small insects that suck the sap from the plant and secrete honeydew that attracts fungus and ants.
• Spider mites: Tiny arachnids that spin webs on the plant and feed on the chlorophyll.
• Mealybugs: White cottony insects that suck the sap from the plant and secrete honeydew that attracts fungus and ants.
• Scale insects: Brown or black hard-shelled insects that attach themselves to the plant and suck the sap.
• Fungus gnats: Small black flies that lay eggs in the soil and feed on the roots.
• Bulb mites: Microscopic mites that burrow into the bulb and cause rotting.
• Fungal diseases: Diseases caused by fungi that infect the plant through wounds or wet conditions.
• Bacterial diseases: Diseases caused by bacteria that infect the plant through wounds or wet conditions.

To control these pests and diseases, you can use various methods, such as:

• Washing: Spraying water on the plant to dislodge or drown the pests.
• Wiping: Wiping off the pests with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol or soap solution.
• Pruning: Cutting off the infected plant parts and sterilizing the tools with alcohol or bleach.
• Isolating: Separating the infected plant from other plants to prevent spreading.
• Repotting: Changing the soil and cleaning the pot to remove any eggs or larvae.
• Treating: Applying natural or chemical pesticides or fungicides according to the label instructions.

Here is a table that summarizes how to care for amaryllis seedlings:

How to Make Amaryllis Bloom from Seeds

The third and final step in growing amaryllis from seeds is to make them bloom. Amaryllis plants grown from seeds take longer to bloom than those grown from bulbs. It can take anywhere from 2 to 6 years for amaryllis to bloom from seeds, depending on the variety, growing conditions, and care. However, you can speed up the process by inducing dormancy and flowering in your amaryllis plants.

Dormancy

Dormancy is a period of rest that amaryllis plants need to prepare for flowering. Dormancy usually occurs in fall or winter, when the days are shorter and the temperatures are cooler. You can induce dormancy in your amaryllis plants by following these steps:

• Stop fertilizing the plants about 6 weeks before you want them to go dormant.
• Reduce watering the plants gradually until the soil is barely moist.
• Move the plants to a cool and dark location, such as a basement or a closet, where the temperature is between 50°F and 60°F.
• Cut off any leaves that turn yellow or brown, but leave the green ones intact.
• Leave the plants in dormancy for 8 to 10 weeks, or until you see a flower bud emerging from the bulb.

Flowering

Flowering is the stage when amaryllis plants produce their beautiful blooms. Flowering usually occurs in winter or spring, when the days are longer and the temperatures are warmer. You can induce flowering in your amaryllis plants by following these steps:

• Move the plants to a warm and bright location, such as a windowsill or under a grow light, where the temperature is between 65°F and 75°F.
• Resume watering the plants regularly, but not too frequently or too much. Keep the soil moist but not soggy.
• Resume fertilizing the plants monthly with a high-phosphorus liquid fertilizer that promotes blooming, such as a 10-30-20 or 15-30-15 fertilizer diluted to half-strength according to the label instructions.
• Rotate the pots every few days to ensure even growth and prevent leaning.
• Support the flower stalks with stakes or ties if they become too tall or heavy.
• Enjoy and admire the flowers as they open and last for 2 to 4 weeks.

Pollination

Pollination is the process of transferring pollen from one flower to another to produce seeds or fruits. Pollination can occur naturally by insects, birds, or wind, or manually by humans. You can pollinate your amaryllis flowers if you want to create new hybrids or save seeds for future planting.

To pollinate your amaryllis flowers manually, you need to follow these steps:

• Choose two flowers that have different colors, shapes, or patterns that you want to cross.
• Identify the male and female parts of each flower. The male part is called the stamen, which consists of a long filament and a yellow anther that contains pollen. The female part is called the pistil, which consists of a short stigma, a long style, and a green ovary that contains ovules.
• Use a small brush or a cotton swab to collect some pollen from the anther of one flower and transfer it to the stigma of another flower. You can also use your finger or tweezers to do this.
• Label the pollinated flower with its parentage and date of pollination.
• Wait for the pollinated flower to fade and form a seed pod at its base.

Here is a table that summarizes how to make amaryllis bloom from seeds:

That’s how you make amaryllis bloom from seeds! In this article, we have shown you how to grow amaryllis from seeds step by step. We have covered how to plant amaryllis seeds, how to care for amaryllis seedlings, and how to make amaryllis bloom from seeds. We hope you have learned something new and useful from this article.

Growing amaryllis from seeds is not easy, but it is rewarding and satisfying. You can create new hybrids with different colors, shapes, and patterns. You can save money by producing your own seeds instead of buying bulbs. You can also enjoy the challenge and satisfaction of growing amaryllis from seeds.

We encourage you to try growing amaryllis from seeds and share your experiences with us. We would love to see your amaryllis plants and flowers. You can also ask us any questions or doubts you may have about growing amaryllis from seeds. We are here to help you.

Conclusion

In this article, we have shown you how to grow amaryllis from seeds step by step. We have covered how to plant amaryllis seeds, how to care for amaryllis seedlings, and how to make amaryllis bloom from seeds. We hope you have learned something new and useful from this article.

Growing amaryllis from seeds is not easy, but it is rewarding and satisfying. You can create new hybrids with different colors, shapes, and patterns. You can save money by producing your own seeds instead of buying bulbs. You can also enjoy the challenge and satisfaction of growing amaryllis from seeds.

We encourage you to try growing amaryllis from seeds and share your experiences with us. We would love to see your amaryllis plants and flowers. You can also ask us any questions or doubts you may have about growing amaryllis from seeds. We are here to help you.

Thank you for reading this article and happy gardening!

About The Author

Samantha

I’m Samantha, a plant enthusiast who has been growing plants for years. I believe that plants can make our lives better, both physically and mentally. I started growit.wiki to share my knowledge about how to grow plants. I want to help others enjoy the beauty and benefits of plants.

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