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Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) Cuttings

© Kenneth Joergensen

Propagating.
Hippeastrum can be propagated by slicing the bulb into vertical sections which are then planted in 100% perlite or a well draining soil-less seed starting mixture to which 25% perlite is added. You can use the original pot.

Start by sterilizing the knife and pot in a 10% bleach solution (1 part bleach to 9 parts water) and rinse well afterwards with clean warm water. Wear gloves when working and thoroughly wash your hands and tools after the procedure as the bulb juices are poisonous.

First cut the bulb in half from top to bottom. Continue slicing each half in two pieces again making quarters, and again for a total of 8 pieces. Always cut from top to bottom (vertically). Experienced growers may continue to slice the bulb into 16 or even 32 pieces, but 8 pieces are good for the novice home gardener. Each piece of the bulb must contain a piece of the basal plate in order to root.

For easier handling the top part of scales can be trimmed but leave the lower sections with the stem tissue intact. Remove any dried out scales or dry dead roots.

Fill the pot with perlite and water well. Let the water drain completely. The 8 sections can now be planted making sure than at least the lower half of the scales with the basal plates are covered by the moist perlite.

Cover the pot with clear plastic wrap and secure it in place with an elastic band. Move the pot to a warm location. Every few days, turn the plastic over and water the pot. This will re-introduce fresh air into your pot and keep the perlite moist. If you use a mixture which includes peatmoss sphagnum, you should only water when the peatmoss show sign of turning brown and drying lightly. A common mistake is keeping the mixture too wet. In 3-5 weeks, a single leaf will appear from each section and the plastic is then removed. By the formation of the 2nd or 3rd leaf, bulblets will form between the scales.

Hippeastrum are heavy feeders. Do not fertilize before green growth is visible, but then start to fertilize with initially 400 ppm nitrogen, gradually increasing to 800 ppm nitrogen. This is the full strength outdoors rating on the fertilizer package, but you can also read the article on how to calculate PPM.

At 6-8 months the bulblets can be separated and transferred to individual pots in a well draining growing medium such as peat moss sphagnum/perlite or seed starting mixtures.