question about amaryllis bulbs

My amaryllis are in bloom right now. I was wondering if I need to let the foilage stay on the for 6 weeks before I cut them down?

Yes; foliage should always be left on so that the bulb can get what it needs for blooming next year. It might not take 6 weeks - when the foliage turns yellow and starts to dry up it should be able to be cut off.

I may trade some of the bulbs, so should I not trade them until foilage can be cut off?

That's the best time. Do you have Amaryllis belladona, or Hippeastrum (which many people wrongly call Amaryllis)?

If you have A. belladona, the best time is between the time the leaves come off and the time the flowers start (in late summer or so). A. belladona doesn't like being disturbed, and it could take 2-3 years for it to bloom again after it's been replanted.

They are blooming now. They were sold in boxes as amaryllis.

Ah, yes, the ubiquitous and consistently incorrectly named "Amaryllis"! This is actually a Hippeastrum.

Hippeastrums are native to the Caribbean, Mexico and South America. The genus consists of 70-75 species and 600+ cultivars and hybrids:

http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/Hippeastrum
http://www.floridata.com/ref/h/hippeast.cfm

Amaryllis are native to South Africa. The genus consists of only two species and several hybrids:

http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/Amaryllis
http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantab/amarylbella.htm

You can find many pictures on the Web of Hippeastrum under both its correct name and its incorrect name.

I bought a few from a nursery and one came directly from Germany. My friend is from Germany and her brother sent them to her.
Those should be Amarylis.

They don't look like the pictures of Hippeastrum. Some are white and red and one is pink. I will take and have an expert id. I know the ones from Germany are amaryllis and the one from the nursery should be.

If they are the true Amaryllis, they should NOT be blooming now. Amaryllis belladonna doesn't bloom until mid to late summer.

Can you post pictures of them here?

Really. Well then maybe they aren't. Some of them are not blooming now.

Ok I looked at some more pictures and they must be Hippeastrum. I don't know why some of them aren't blooming. I don't have any of the Belladonna.

Oh, here's a good question. Do the ones which are blooming have leaves? If it's an Amaryllis it should not have leaves; if a Hippeastrum it should.

Sorry - we cross-posted!

This message was edited May 9, 2010 9:14 PM

Yes, they do have leaves.

If you can post pictures of your plants we'll know for sure what they are.

Ok, I will try.