The Chatty Amaryllis Coop (let's keep it going)

We came from here: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/924291/

Thanks Goofy, now tell me how to add it to my "watched" ones so it pops up with the rest.

Jeanette

LOL, I think I did it. I just marked it as unread. Is that right?

Jeanette

Jeanette, as long as you write something in, it's automatically watched.

If you just want to watch a thread and nobody to know (lurking, they call it, ha-ha!), above the first post it's an option bar, and the first option is to watch the thread. Click on it, and you're done!
(advice from a lurker...)

edited because I obviously cannot spell "lurker"

This message was edited Dec 20, 2008 6:02 PM

Goofy, I went thru that whole last thread without it popping up and I was right there posting all the time. Oh well, there have been some other odd things going on with this thing.

Probably somebody kurkin'. LOL, you just made that up.

Jeanette

Gee...feels just like family here!

Hey, Birdie!

I need to find the batteries I bought last week. that OS looks too beautiful, but I cannot use the flash because the camera turns off (very low batts).

On a different subject, I just got back from HD and Lowes, I barely saw any Amaryllis bulbs left. It looks like my plan to rescue some after the Holiday will not work too well...

My S/O went into town, the nearest one, which is a little burg 40 miles away, and there was hardly any Christmas stuff in the stores. No Christmas candy which he was looking for for his mom. He asked and they said they weren't stocking any because nobody had any money. Now isn't that a catch 22?

So Birdie, what did you decide to do with the bulbs that you say aren't doing anything? You are in zone 7, don't you have a porch with a window or some place where you can put them and just keep an eye on tthem? Bring them in as they start to grow?

I thought you were going to give them away? I gave mine that I had bought for gifts to them anyway. Let them worry about whether they are going to grow or not.

Jeanette

Uhh....zone 7 has had temps in the past month ranging from 21* to a couple rare days above 50*. Hardly temps to encourage blooming of Amaryllis...so, what an odd suggestion to put the bulbs out & bring them in as they start to grow.
Also...deciduous trees here do drop their leaves.
&, Yes, I was hoping to give some as gifts, but as they are not growing, I would certainly not give a gift that is not working, so why would I give a bulb that is not growing to someone? Unless they were knowledgeable in bulb care, they would not be able to appreciate it , nor have any idea what to do with it.
My Idea of a gift for someone I care about is something special,that had meaning to me to show my love....a gift.....Re: "Let them worry about whether they are going to grow or not"........hmm, that sounds more like giving away something that is of no use or value to me.....hardly anything like what my understanding of what Christmas is about. ~~~~ "Pa..rum..pa..pum..pum"

Birdie, I don't give them as gifts because they can be unpredictable. Some of them would flower, some not, even if the seller "prepared" them for flowering this season, it's not 100% success. If I would give them to friends, I would want them to flower for them. If any of them is a bulb collector, it might be OK to give a bulb that's not flowering, hoping for blooms in the normal season (spring). Most my friends are amateur gardeners, and they are the "Ooooh, shiny!" type, (they will appreciate instant rewarding).

As an example, from the bulbs I got in this coop, I've had many putting buds up. Two of them didn't so far (I think they will go for spring): Dancing Queen and Red Peacock. The Picotee has a bud but it moves so slowly, I think it will flower next year...

Today's view:

The OS (I still wonder if it's OS, 9Kitty's looks more orange-y than mine) has all 4 blooms open today

and the Papillio is just amazing! (only two flowers on this spike)

I guess you and I look at gifts differently Birdy. I hope mine lasts most if not all of the year. You see, I enjoy the greenery of the leaves almost as much as I do the blooms. If they bloom in the spring so much the better, since early spring is kind of a gloomy time of the year when things aren't quite sprouting yet. Right now all I see out there is white.

If an amaryllis bulb is blooming in February, that to me would be much nicer than blooming at Christmas time when so much else is going on. Also, the people that I give these bulbs to are not dumb. They know that you cannot control "by the calendar", when bulbs of any kind will bloom.

I would have thought with, what I thought was your knowledge, that you would not have gotten these as gifts if you had thought they would be blooming right to the "tee", every petal just right, on December 25.

BTW, I lived in Seattle for 30 years and that is a zone 8. Just one step up from zone 7. Most years you could plant these in the ground with mulch. And yes, deciduous trees lose their leaves in Seattle also.

No matter what the name of that amaryllis is Goofy it is gorgeous.

Jeanette

well, for those of you that are concerned.....Yes, I had hoped to give a couple of these as Christmas gifts, but mainly just gifts, whenever they began to grow and come close to blooming. The few that I planted, though are not growing, so I plan to wait and hopefully "gift" at a later date to those few special people.
As far as the comment---" if you had thought they would be blooming right to the "tee", every petal just right, on December 25.".....well...LOL...I never stated that and never would...to even read that makes me laugh and wonder what the writers real message to me was.....(there is a BIG difference between zone 8 and zone 7a....I don't understand the point on that issue either, but .....oh well)
To the rest of you all.... I really enjoy this thread and all the camaraderie. AND BTW I now also have a Pasadena (in addition to my 18" tall unopened Jewel that has hope...it is 2" tall and looks like some color is showing thru that fat bud. Is that common when the bud is still so short.
"

I am breathlessly waiting for pics of your blooms, Birdie! And if you decide to give those with bud as gifts for the season, please go visit them!

Speaking of different, I gifted an orchid to one of my best friends, it was opening it's buds at the time. The blooms lasted for him over a month. After a week of no more blooms, he asks me: "so when is this plant flowering?". For this guy, though I love them so much, I would never give an Amaryllis without a bloom, and I'll think twice if giving one at all... the flowers last less than on the Orchid.

Hugs,
Alexandra

There ya go....exactly why I wouldn't want to gift one that wasn't either in bloom or very close to it.

BTW...for planting in soil....What mix do you experienced Amaryllis people suggest? I think I''m gonna plant some that way to have longer life of the bulbs with only one planting. Sounds like I'll need to soil plant these pebble ones for long lives.
Thanks friends and I'm always looking forward to more pics.
I wonder what the tallest flower stalk is on one?

Do you guys water these from the bottom? Or the top? I guess I am afraid I am going to overwater from either way. I read someone say for ALL houseplants to water from the bottom.

Please let me know.

Jeanette

Birdie,
I am not experienced, but I'm going to tell you what I use - until these bulbs arrived, I just planted my Amaryllis in regular potting soil (whatever I bought from HD, I've put them in Miracle grow, Scotts, Now I'm using a thing called Sta-Green, depending on the budget, you know...

Since I joined DG, I learned about the bone meal as being helpful and a good food to mix with soil for bulbs (and roses, gardenias, etc). I started to use it on these coop bulbs, so I cannot tell you the difference yet. The roses, I killed within a couple of months since I moved to El Paso, so, too late for them... The gardenia is still outside, I'll amend the top soil when the weather gets warmer (I don't want to encourage new growth in the cold)

I would pot them after the stalk of flowers is spent (if you want to get seedpods, you'll have to wait up to 6 weeks after the flowers are gone, that's the approximate time for the seedpods to ripen), in a pot not too big (about 1-2" bigger than the bulb diameter), as they like their roots a bit crowded.

Jeanette,
for the Amaryllis you can water either way, I think. I water mine from the top. When I lived in Miami, I watered them every 2-5 days (when I remembered - but the weather was humid there, so they were OK even if I forgot...). I don't put a saucer under them, so the water doesn't stagnate (no feet in water, as they say). They were also heavily rained on, and watered by my 3YO godson (drowning would describe it better... as long as you give them a chance to get rid of the excess (thus, no saucer) you should be fine.
If you want to water from the bottom, put water in saucer,let them absorb, and remove every leftover after 1/2 hour. That should keep you in the safe zone.
That's valid for most bulbs.

Thanks Goofy. I still have some bulbs in those lunch sacks that they came in. Going to give them for Christmas gifts and let the recipient plant them in whatever they want. That is, if I or they can get out. We seem to be snowed in.

I have a drs appt. tomorrow, to take the wires out of my toes but it looks like that will have to be canceled until after the first of the year. Hope they don't grow in there, I don't need longer toes. I think the bigger the shoe the more expensive they are. LOL, just kidding.

You aren't in an area where you will get snow are you? I understand that they do expect some in northern Texas. My sister and BIL are visiting family there. That is if they got out of California. Think they got snow also. Isn't that something? Snow in California and Texas. I know northern CA does get snow every year around Mt. Shasta, but they are farther south.

Thanks for the info Goofy. Did you note the date your OS or whatever opened up? I like to know how long they last. I think the warmth or lack of, makes a difference. My Moonlight was open 10 days to 2 weeks.

Jeanette

Do any of you change the water in your water rooted bulbs. I just noticed one that smelled a little funky. The water was definitely not up to the bulb, so I am trusting the bulb is OK (it looks good), but I did change the water. Also, I have read in other threads that an addition of some H2O2 helps oxygenate the water, thus aiding the roots respiration and growth and it also wards off bacteria,. Would this be a good thing to try., .

Jeanne, It's my first winter here, so I don't really know what to expect. I am told that there are some low 30s nights, even freezing nights (20s). It seems to snow about once a year... so for this year I have it covered... It snowed about 10 days ago, for a few hours, but it didn't stick at all.
Regarding the OS and Papillio: The camera gives me the date for every flower. Now I have to remember to not when they are spent... You also have to take into account that I have a very dry climate, and with the house heating, I have quite a dry air in the house... I have some humidifying methods for that room, but I don't think they work well enough.

Birdie, I would definitely try to change it if it starts smelling. I know it's kind of difficult, but maybe if you manage to throw half, then replenish, then half again, then replenish, you get the idea... I believe H2O2 should help, I've read of it's use for house plants quite a lot lately. If it works on our boo-boos to disinfect, why not for plants? Just be careful with the concentrations, I think I've read 1 cup per gallon? (but I would still try to remove some of the stinky... the flowers in a vase, the minute the water starts to smell, they tend to get spent faster)

It's very windy outside tonight, I have to think if I have taken everything inside...

Hugs,
Alexandra

Yes, I had been told by some Brug people to add just a little to all the water, and then I read an article that explained the hows and whys. Think I'll try some.

Night All and sweet dreams! ;-) Also, as my Mom always says, "Happy face in the morning!"
Hugs, Sheri

Sweet dreams!
:o)

Here is the second round for my orange sovereign.

Here it is a few days ago before the other two buds opened. With a flash.

Susan! Hey, I was waiting for you to post!

Is yours a reddish-orange? You know how the cameras and the computers can distort the reds... mine is a bit lighter than a skittles bag (but a very vibrant color)

Birdie and Goofy, I have used peroxide for years. Many Many years ago I used Oxygen Plus. Now just a few years ago I discovered that it was just an expensive name for Hydrogen Peroxide so they could charge a lot. The kind most of us have in our medicine chests.

Then, I guess it was in 2002 that I found in the propagation thread on DG where they use it for a lot of things. If you get a chance and can find it it is well worth reading. I THINK it is in the propagation thread. Someone will come along and correct me. Anyway, a cup is way too much I think. I normally just add a gulp.

Also, for what it is worth Birdie, I read that you should change that water every day. But wait until someone on the amaryllis thread tells you. Go look in that thread and ask BBrookrd or andidandi on that thread. They are very knowledgeable.

Jeanette

Goofy, you are so funny. What is Skittles? I just found out yesterday what pot ghettos were.

Jeanette

Jeanette, it's one cup per gallon too much?

I think it's hard to pour the water from the bulb-and-stone arrangement everyday. It might work for the type of vases that narrow at the mouth (the bulb will stop the stones from falling), but with a wide-mouth container it might be a bit challenging to do it that often.

LOL, Jeanette!

I have no idea what you talk about (though the word pot might give something away), but skittles are some candy, they look like brightly colored pills, and have fruity taste... They come in a bright orange bag. I have a miniature-skittles-bag, I'll take a pic together with the OS tomorrow.

Nope, this pot is not what you are thinking. I will have to go to the other thread and see if I can cut and paste her explanation.

Yes, a cup per gallon is way too much. Whatever you do with the water thing the peroxide will help. But, if I were just starting to use it I would certainly read the thread I told about. I will try to find it and let you know. If they haven't dumped it. It was so good that people kept bumping it up. I will look in my binder because I am sure I printed it out and saved it that way too. If I find it I will send you a copy. It is very worthwhile for all your houseplants. It puts oxygen to the roots. If you have an overwatered plant you should water it again with the peroxide. Sounds awful, and really hard to do but it is good for it. Will save it's life.

Jeanette

Jeanette

Ok Goofy, here is pot ghetto:

What we call a pot ghetto on the PNW. Is plants collected from swaps, exchanges, trades, or where ever. and you have not got the bed ready, or not sure what you want to do with it, keep it or give it away at the next swap. So you end up with all these plants in pots, in a big group. 'The Pot Ghetto' Hope that explains it, And thats not counting the box of seeds. LOL

Now I will see if I can find the thread on peroxide.

Jeanette

I use 1/2 cup h2o2 per gallon of water to water all my plants year round. I also put several drops of super thrive in the water. Some people say it cuts down on fungus gnats, but I haven't noticed any difference. I have to use a gnaticide to get rid of those. Anyway, it does seem to prevent rot.

My OS is a real bright orange. I have trouble getting the camera to actually give me the correct shade on some colors. For instance, I CANNOT take a picture of a purple flower. It always comes out blue. While making a very pretty picture, I would love to actually show what the PURPLE flower looks like. Red and orange are the same way, they just don't come out correctly.

I have a Pasadena (hopefully) that is about to open. It has two buds. The middle light fixture on the plant stand quit today and that was giving the most light to most of my amaryllis. It's always somethin'.

Susan
=^..^=

Cheering for your Pasadena, Susan! I had to move the Moonlight from the bright sunny location because it was getting too tall, and peaking thru in the next shelf. I moved it (while still unopened flowers) to the living room (less light, max 2 hours of some sun) and it was OK. It still bloomed beautifully. Now that the blooms are spent, I'll move it back so the forming leaves will have enough light.

I still have to try the H2O2.

I've purchased a bag of soil (brand name was Supersoil) that was full of gnats, and I realized that too late. I tried the mosquito dunks, and they seem to have worked. Stupid thing was that initially I thought that those nasty little flies were from the neighbor's pomegranate! Never met those buggers before...

Jeanette, I thought it's the other pot...

LOL, I know you did Goofy. So did I when I first read it.

Susan did you get in on that initial postings of the hydrogen peroxide where they were telling how to germinate seeds with it etc. Really interesting. I think it was in 2002. I have been looking for the last half hour or so and cannot find it. Oh well, I might have a hard copy.

nite, Jeanette

BTW, Goofy, what are you still doing up? It's late

I tried to go to sleep, but the wind is too noisy, it sounds like the roof wants to take off! So I dressed back, went on the patio, and sowed some seeds. Am I crazy or not?

Now I have to wash again!

Oh Goofy, you poor thing. Did you ever get to sleep? I can't even imagine what woke me up at 4:30 but the power was out. That must have been what it was but the only thing near me was the electric clock. My electric blanket was still warm. Fortunately there was still enough water in the toilet to flush. LOL

I couldn't find the flashlight, I hadn't plugged in the cell phone, next to my bed. I said to heck with it last night of course, and I don't know if I told you I have to use a knee roller to keep my foot off the floor so I won't put any weight on it. So, all in all, it has been a very eventful morning.

I called the power company to tell them it was out and they said they were working on it and it should be back on soon. The house cools off pretty fast and it is near zero out there.

Finally all the lights came back on at 5:30. 'course the timer was off on the coffee pot so I had to get up and turn it on.

I am suppose to go to the dr today but I guess the roads are just packed ice and that is 2 hrs away. 90 miles so it looks like I probably won't go.

I hear the coffee pot is done, gotta go.

Jeanette

Well, I was getting on here this morning to inquire about possibly changing the water in mine that I have in stones as well, because I noticed yesterday it had a HORRIBLE smell. I pulled it out to look at it to see if the bulb was rotting and it appears to be fine, but the roots dont seem to be growing and the water has a horrible stench to it. It is a pasadena and is blooming - has one bloom that is waning now and one that is about to bloom and one more bud....... guess I need to move it to potting soil when it finishes blooming.....

Genna

Hi guys. I'm still here just haven't been on the last few days. Had company and then was too pooped to go upstairs to the comp[uter! LOL. It was COLD here over the weekend!!!

And of course I don't mind someone else starting a new thread.

If anyone if really unhappy with getting different varieties than you ordered, let me know and I will contact Scott. I just had another Red Peacock bloom that wasn't a double, so not sure if it was what it was supposed to be! It's gorgeous though so I'm not complaining. Picotee is blooming now and so far, so good. For the 1 stalk. I put 3 in the red plastic bowl. One stalk is blooming, one is getting ready to, and the other is just barely starting to show signs of growing. It would have been the warehouse that mixed them up, I'm sure.

I'm with you Birdie. I have 1 Red Peacock I planted right after we got them and it hasn't done a thing! :-) The bulb is still firm though, so I just leave it alone. It will grow sometime. Just slower for some reason.

I put 2 bulbs in water and they did ok, but the water did smell a little funky. I took one of them out that hadn't bloomed yet and pout it in dirt.

Seeing the pictures is great! I will try to post one of Picotee this evening