Amaryllis: a classic, statement choice for the Holidays

What varieties are best for Christmas arrangements depends on personal taste. Is clean and minimalistic with a statement colour your signature style or do you prefer flowy bouquets in blended colours? And how to express the spirit of Christmas in your designs? For more ideas see the pictures below or discover more Seasonal inspiration on FleuraMetz Pinterest.   

Origin

Amaryllis is a member of the Narcissus family, with more than 70 species. It’s native to the (sub-)tropical regions of Mexico and the Caribbean through to northern Argentina. The first plants probably developed in Brazil. The plant was first cultivated in Europe in around 1800. 

What to look for when buying Amaryllis

• When buying Amaryllis, look at the colour and the flower shape which will emerge from the bulbs. The larger the bulb, the more (hollow) stems emerge from it, sometimes up to 3-4 stems per pot. Every stem produces 3 or 4 conical flowers. The less ripe the plant is, the trickier it is to see how many buds will form, but the buds are usually fairly well-developed in the supply phase.
• Check that the bulb is well rooted and not too loose in the pot. A green tip must already visible on the bulb when purchasing.
• Check that there is no mould on the bulb or the soil - a sign that the plant has been too damp.
• The bulb and stems can be affected by ‘red blotch’ (red stripes on the stem) but this does not detract from the lifespan.
• Amaryllis can easily be stored cool, even in a chiller. The ideal storage temperature is 5-8 °C, However, do this for as little time as possible, because the plant can quickly suffer from too little light, causing the  buds to dry out. If the plant is stored too warm, it will ripen more quickly, reducing the saleability. 

Choice of range

The Amaryllis range is very broad. Alongside main colours such as red, pink and white, new colours are constantly being added, like salmon, lilac, green, orange and bicoloured varieties with stripes or edges. There are varieties with single and double flowers. Bulbs with a wax or felt coating that the consumer doesn’t have to do anything to are very popular. Do stress that it requires patience: it takes a few weeks for a bulb to start growing. An Amaryllis in a pot develops slightly faster.

Care tips for consumers

• Amaryllis can tolerate both dark and light positions, as long as it’s reasonably cool.
• Do not allow the soil to dry out, but do not have standing water either. Bulbs with felt or wax will flower without water, but should not be too warm, otherwise the flowers will dry up.
• There’s no need to feed, since the nutrients are already in the bulb.

Want to know more about this product? Ask your Account Manager for more information or take a look in our web shop! Go to www.flowertales.com for more ideas on how to use these beautiful flowers.    

Source: FlowerTales and www.flowercouncil.co.uk