XAmarygia

Jim Lykos jimlykos@optusnet.com.au
Thu, 17 Nov 2005 15:58:17 PST
Dear Steve,

In growth xAmarygia's have the appearance of  a robust Amaryllis belladonna, and follow the same cyclic annual pattern.
The best varieties of  this intergeneric hybrid have long pseudo necks, large bulbs, and wider and more luxuriant leaves than found in belladonna's - and many more large flowers although 16 to 24 is typical,  but  rare varieties with really large bulbs  will bloom with up to 40 flowers.

They are dormant and lose their leaves during the dry season - usually from mid Spring to late summer,  and are in leaf and grow during Autumn and winter into mid spring.  They grow  well outdoors in garden beds  in zones 8 to 10.  Flowering is typically in the last month of summer - to first month of autumn, they usually flower a few weeks later than Amaryllis belladonna. 
Heavy winter frosts can destroy the foliage - so if you are in a  frosty winter area they will need to be in a warm or protected garden site (grown under trees and shrubs) or grown in pots under protection. 
They grow best in sandy loams to sandy clays but will tolerate a wide range of soils - but dont like wet clay soils or poor drainage.
They require mid to late summer rainstorms - or heavy watering at that time to induce flowering.
Almost all  xAmarygia's grown in the US are only  from the Amaryllis seed parent ( Amaryllis x Brunsvigia) and although tolerant they flower best when they experience hot dry summers. Bulbs of  those varieties that display more Brunsvigia characteristics tend to naturally grow with half the bulb exposed above the ground. 
Don't plant them too deeply unless your winter climate freezes the ground.

Cheers      
Jim Lykos
Blue Mountains
Australia


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