How to Grow an Amaryllis From Seed

 

One of the most beautiful flowering bulbs you can easily grow at home is Amaryllis. A lot of flowering plants lovers grow amaryllis from bulbs, but growing the Amaryllis plan t from seed is a rewarding project that actually allows you to produce completely new Amaryllis plants with unique flower colors and patterns. However, it really takes patience; the process of growing Amaryllis plant from seeds is simple if you follow the right steps.

The Amaryllis plant seeds generally take three to five years to produce flowers, although watching the Amaryllis plants develop from tiny Amaryllis seedlings into a mature blooming Amaryllis bulb can be very satisfying.

Understanding The Amaryllis Plant Seeds

Once an amaryllis flower is actually pollinated, the flower plant stalk will develop a seed pod. When the Amaryllis seed pod matures and dries slightly, it then splits open to reveal thin, black, papery seeds. These Amaryllis plant seeds are lightweight and they should be immediately planted fresh because they can easily lose viability quickly.

The fresh Amaryllis plant seeds germinate much faster and more reliably than the old Amaryllis plant seeds. If possible sow the Amaryllis plant seeds within a few days after harvesting.

The Best Time to Grow Amaryllis Plant Seeds

Actually the best time to really plant the amaryllis seeds is during warm weather when temperatures stay between sixty-eight to eighty degree Fahrenheit. In most tropical climates like many parts of Africa, the amaryllis seeds can be started almost any time of the year as long as the amaryllis seeds are protected from heavy rain and extreme heat.  The indoor garden growers can also start the amaryllis seeds at any season if actually enough warmth and light are really available.

Materials You Will Need To Get Started

Before planting the Amaryllis seeds, you will need to gather the following materials:

·  You will need fresh amaryllis seeds

·  You will need seed tray or shallow pots

·  You will need a good well-draining potting mix

·  You need a good watering can or spray bottle

·  You will also need a clear plastic cover or plastic bag

·  A good bright growing location

A proper light soil mix for planting works best. You can use the following:

·  Two parts potting soil

·  One part sand or perlite

·  One part compost or coco peat

Make sure the soil drain well because soggy conditions can easily rot the Amaryllis plant seeds and the young bulbs.

Also read: How to Grow Adenium From Stem Cuttings

How to Harvest the Amaryllis Plant Seeds

Furthermore, if you already have a flowering amaryllis plant in your garden, you can carefully collect the Amaryllis seeds yourself.

After the plant flowering:

1.    You need to allow the plant flower stalk to remain on the plant.

2.    The Amaryllis seed pod will slowly swell and then mature.

3.    You need to actually wait until the seeds pod begins to dry and then split open naturally.

4.    Remove the black seeds carefully.

The healthy Amaryllis plant seeds are generally black, flat, and papery. White or shriveled Amaryllis plant seeds may not really germinate well.

How to Grow The Amaryllis Plant Seeds

Step 1: Preparing the Container For Planting

You need to fill the seed tray or the shallow pot you want to use with moist potting mix. Make sure you don’t pack the soil too tightly. Make sure the mix feel light and airy.

Step 2: Sow the Amaryllis Plant Seeds

You need to place the Amaryllis plant seeds flat on the soil surface. Then lightly press the Amaryllis plant seeds into the soil and then cover with a very thin layer of mix, about three to five millimeters deep.

Make sure you don’t bury the Amaryllis plant seeds deeply because they actually need some light and air to germinate properly.

Step 3: Water The Plant Gently

You can easily use a spray bottle or a gentle watering can to moisten the soil. Make sure the soil remain damp but never waterlogged.

Step 4: Provide Warmth and Light For The Plant

You can easily place the container in a bright location with indirect sunlight. Make sure you avoid harsh afternoon sun, most especially for the young Amaryllis seedlings.

A warm environment can easily speeds up the Amaryllis seed germination.

The Amaryllis Seed Germination Process

The Amaryllis plant seeds usually germinate within two to six weeks. What you will first notice is a tiny green shoots emerging from the soil.

There are some gardeners that prefer the water germination method, where the Amaryllis plant seeds float in shallow water until the plant roots appear. On the other hand, planting the Amaryllis seeds directly in the soil is usually easier and then causes less transplant shock for the plant.

During the Amaryllis seed germination:

·  Make sure you keep the soil consistently moist

·  Make sure you avoid overwatering

·  Ensure there is a good airflow

·  Make sure you protect the Amaryllis seedlings from heavy rain

Caring for The Young Amaryllis Seedlings

Once the Amaryllis plant seedlings appear, the seedlings actually require regular care in other to develop into a strong Amaryllis bulb.

Light Requirements For Amaryllis Plant

The young amaryllis Plant seedlings really need bright light to grow properly. You need to place them where they receive:

·  A morning sunlight

·  A good bright indirect light

·  A partial sun location for some hours daily

If there is insufficient light it can easily causes weak, thin growth.

Watering Requirement

Make sure you water the plant whenever the top layer of soil begins to dry slightly. Make sure you never allow the containers to remain soggy for long periods.

Don’t forget that overwatering of the plant is one of the most common reasons seedlings fail.

Feeding The Plant

After about 1 month you can start feeding the Amaryllis seedlings lightly with a balanced liquid fertilizer every two to four weeks.

You can apply a fertilizer such as 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 diluted to half strength, this really works well.

Proper feeding of the Amaryllis plant helps the tiny bulbs to actually enlarge faster.

Transplanting The Amaryllis Seedlings

As the Amaryllis plant seedlings grow, the small Amaryllis bulbs form beneath the soil.

As the Amaryllis plants are some months old and then crowded together:

1.    You can carefully lift them from the tray.

2.    Then carefully separate the bulbs gently.

3.    You can easily plant each of the bulb into its own small pot.

You need to use a well-draining soil and then plant the Amaryllis bulb so the neck remains slightly above the soil surface.

Growing the Amaryllis Plant Bulbs to Maturity

Growing the amaryllis plant from seed really requires patience because the Amaryllis plant bulbs actually need a lot of time to mature.

The Important Tips for Amaryllis Plant Faster Growth

·  You need to provide bright light regularly

·  Make sure you feed the plant consistently during active growth

·  Make sure you water properly without overwatering

·  You can easily repot as the bulbs enlarge

·  Make sure you protect the plants from pests

Unlike the mature Amaryllis plant bulbs, the Amaryllis plant seedlings should not be forced into dormancy too early. You can let the amaryllis seedlings to continue growing as long as they produce healthy green leaves.

The amaryllis plant leaves are very vital because they create energy that enlarges the amaryllis plant bulb.

When Will the Amaryllis Plant Bloom?

The seed-grown amaryllis plants generally flower in:

·  About three to five years under good conditions

·  At times longer if the plant growth conditions are poor

The Amaryllis plant first blooms are really exciting because the seed-grown Amaryllis plants may produce flowers different from the parent plant. You could get unique colors from the Amaryllis plant, stripe patterns, or even flower shapes.

Also read: How to Grow Tulips From Seeds

Common Amaryllis Plant Problems and Solutions

1. The Amaryllis Seeds Not Germinating

The possible causes are:

·  Old Amaryllis plant seeds

·  The soil too dry

·  The cold temperatures

·  Overwatering of the Amaryllis plant

Make sure you always use fresh Amaryllis plant seeds and also maintain a warm, moist condition.

2. The Yellowing Leaves

The yellowing may actually result from:

·  When there is excess water

·  A poor drainage

·  Lack of nutrients on the Amaryllis plant

You can easily reduce watering and also ensure that the soil drains properly.

3. Weak Amaryllis Seedlings

The weak growth from the Amaryllis plant often occurs from insufficient sunlight. You can move the Amaryllis plant seedlings to a brighter location.

4. Rotting Amaryllis Bulbs

The Amaryllis Bulb rot is actually caused mainly by soggy soil. Make sure you always use containers with drainage holes and also try and avoid standing water.

Growing Amaryllis Plant Outdoors

In warm climate condition the Amaryllis plant can easily be transplanted outdoors.

You need to choose a location with:

·  A good and well-draining soil

·  A area with partial to full sun

·  Good protection from flooding

You can easily plant the Amaryllis bulbs with the neck slightly above soil level. The outdoor Amaryllis plants may grow larger and also stronger over time.

The Benefits of Growing Amaryllis Plant From Seed

Actually growing amaryllis from seed has a lot of advantages:

·  Growing amaryllis from seeds can lead to producing many plants cheaply

·  The Amaryllis seed-grown flowers may be unique

·  Growing amaryllis from seeds is an enjoyable gardening project

·  Growing amaryllis from seeds helps you to learn the full life cycle of the plant

A lot of gardeners that grows Amaryllis from seeds enjoy experimenting with cross-pollination to create new amaryllis flower varieties.