Saturday, April 30, 2011

Hippeastrum Royal Velvet

043011

This year when i purchased the Royal Velvet bulbs...they were already bloomed (as seen in the lower picture).

I didn't get any really gr8 pictures because the blossoms were already fading, but it looks like I may end up with some seed pods (crossing fingers :)

The Royal Velvet petals actually feel like your fingers are running across Velvet...they are nice thick sturdy petals.   I am very excited about seeing them next year!

Wish us some luck!!



Below was taken on 042711

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Hippeastrum Apple Blossom

052311 ~

Both blooms turned out just a tiny bit different!  




052011 ~
This is an Apple Blossom that someone grew from seed.  I was really surprised to see a bloom this year....the leaves had been cut back so that it could be mailed to me and no sooner than it was in the soil a bloom started.  I cannot wait to see what it looks like!  It has a very tall scape and it is an extra large bulb.







I just love how the coloring fades from top to bottom in this little Hippie!




Hippeastrum Fairy Tale

I bought a few Aphrodite bulbs and when one of them bloomed it was a pleasant surprise to find this cute little Hippie....Fairy Tale! I think this fall I am going to bring her inside and keep her as a potted plant!





























Top view:

Hippeastrum Johnsonii

051311~

These are the roots on two Johnsonii that we just sent out recently.  One measures 22 cm and the other 23 cm.


050311~

The H. Johnsonii.....aka/St. Joseph's Lily or Hardy Amaryllis...... blooms during the springtime.....it is thought to be one of the first hybrids from H.Reginae x H. Vittatum.  Arthur Johnson produced this hybrid between 1799 and 1810 in England.  The Johnsonii is the hardiest of all the other hybrids (from 0 to 10 degrees F).  It has been an outdoor plant for me the past 11 years in zone 8a.  It is suppose to be hardy in zones 7-12.  It can be planted in sunny or partially shaded areas and is deer tolerant.  In cooler zones, people will plant the Hippeastrums in pots.  

The Johnsonii can be fertilized by its own pollen.  After the blossoms die a seed pod will form.  If you wait until the seed pod starts turning yellowish brown you can collect the seeds and dry them out.  The seeds can be stored up to a year, but the longer you store them the less viable they become. 

042811~

My original Hippy.....Hippeastrum Johnsonii....A gorgeous red bell shaped flower with white center stripes and a green throat...one large Johnsonii bulb can have up to 4 flower stalks that are 1-2 feet tall and you will get about 4-6 flowers on each stalk......I am going to attempt collecting and germinating the seeds this year for the 1st time....wish me lots of luck!
~San

















This 2nd picture was taken last April....

Hippeastrum Clown

060211 ~






052011 ~
This Clown is showing 6 amazing blooms at once...there is a small bloom about to open as well. 

 Small bloom in center

 



051911 ~

A smaller H.Clown bulb decided to bloom for us today :)




New Pictures taken today  ~ 043011








Below ~ 042811

I am super excited about seeing Clown emerge in the next day our two....the bloom on this one has been slowing making its way out over the last few days.......

Hippeastrum Red Lion

060311 ~

Here is a nice close-up of H. Red Lion....





Red Lion finally showed her beautiul face!!!    I was kinda sad when the wind blew so hard last night and knocked one of the buds off the stalk....but the other 3 came out with wonderful vibrant colors.  Next year, i am thinking about putting H. Red Lion next to H. White Christmas!

New pictures taken today ~ 043011




Below ~ 042811
I have one blooming size Red Lion that will be blooming in the next day or two.... and a little patch of 2-3 year old Red Lions in the ground.

Hippeastrum Liberty

052311 ~







052011 ~

Side view




051911 ~

A beautiful tall Liberty:


Close up
 






New pictures taken today 043011





Below ~ 042811
A nice tall very red flower....