Happy Hippies.
Hippeastrum flowers always bring me pleasure. They give me the impression that they are happy to bloom wherever they are planted and they certainly know how to make a statement. Hence the title: Happy Hippies!
I love the vibrant, bold, voluptuous beauty of Hippeastrums. They are a genus of approximately 90 species and there are over 600 hybrids of these perennial, bulbous plants. Hippeastrums (common name; Amaryllis) were given their name by William Herbert which means, "Knight's Star Lily."
These beautiful plants are native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas from Argentina, north to Mexico and also the Caribbean. the typical colour range is red, pink, and white but the modern hybrids are available in an array of colours which includes pale, translucent yellow. The large, funnel shaped flowers are supported by strong stems and the leaves are quite fleshy and mid-green in colour.
Well mulched, organically enriched soils, and regular applications of fertilisers including ground rock minerals will encourage profuse flowering and growth.
Hippeastrums do not like to be disturbed and if they are, the number of flowers will be reduced significantly for a couple of years, post division or replanting.
Thank fully they are very hardy and will survive a certain amount of neglect. They prefer full sun or light shade and well drained soils. If rain is scarce, less flowers will be produced.
The various forms of Hippeastrum plants include:
Hippeastrum Papilo: This variety feature green/white blooms with deep red veins radiating from the centre of the flower. Unfortunately, this type are now endangered in the wild.
The hippeastrum image below is a result of me changing the original colour to see what a white flower with green stripes would look like. It certainly is different.
Hippeastrum Petiolatum: These ones used to be common in Queensland, Australia but they are much rarer these days. They are characterized by their orange colour and are decorated with wide, cream stripes which run down the centre of each petal.
Hippeastrum Reticulatum: These blooms have deep green leaves with a silver stipe in the middle. The gorgeous pale pink flowers are reticulated with rose veining.
Hippeastrum Striatum: these plants are smaller with orange flowers and cream centres. They produce multiple bulbils and form into clumps easily.
This vibrant red Hippeastrum was very thirsty so I gave it a digital spray of water which I think looked very appealing.
And this gorgeous golden Hippeastrum has also recieved a digital makeover ........just for fun and to add interst to this blog.
THANK YOU FOR VIEWING. HAVE A GREAT DAY.
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