Lycoris: Withholding Ain't My Thing
James Waddick (Fri, 02 Jul 2010 09:59:12 PDT)

Hi All...particularly those into Lycoris,

Dear David.
Guess that's me among others.

I've had my Lycoris for years 'n' years and they've never bloomed for me.
They've offset and multiplied...but never bloomed.

Lycoris generally do not bloom well in pots. Instead they can
multiply like crazy.

Withholding water is really hard for me to do...I'm a compulsive
waterer...so I suspect I keep watering 'em right through what should
otherwise be their dormancy cycle.

Same here, but substitute Amaryllis belladonna. I finally
gave all my bulbs away.

I came home and resumed my watering regine, which triggered the blooming
cycle of what I found out were beautiful Habranthus robustus I'd been
growing from seeds.

Very typical response. I've fond that almost any rain lily,
if I can with hold water for a week or two (also difficult), will
fill the pot with flowers if watered heavily when they are about bone
dry.

Any advice would be appreciated.

First and most important -which species or cv of Lycoris are
you growing?

Are they in full sun or part shade?

How big are the pots?

Be glad to offer specific hints later. Best
Jim W.

ps all my Lycoris are fully dormant now, but won't bloom for
at least 6 to 8 weeks. Now is a good time to dig and divide, but keep
roots on and do not allow bulbs or roots to dry out. Except is is
too hot to go out and dig the things.

--
Dr. James W. Waddick
8871 NW Brostrom Rd.
Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711
USA
Ph. 816-746-1949
Zone 5 Record low -23F
Summer 100F +