Many people love amaryllis (Hippeastrum spp.), a flowering plant with big, bright blooms that brighten up any yard, indoors or out. Many people grow amaryllis from bulbs, but growing them from seeds can be fun and teach you something. This is a complete guide on how to dry, save, and plant amaryllis seeds so that your lovely flowers will grow into even more beautiful flowers in the future.
1. Pollinating Amaryllis Flowers
Amaryllis flowers need to be fertilized in order to make seeds. This can happen on its own, but hand-pollination makes sure that more seeds are produced.
Steps for Hand-Pollination
- Identify the Parts: Find the pistil (the center stalk) and the stamens (which make pollen).
- Collect Pollen: Get pollen from the stamens of one flower with a small brush or cotton swab.
- Transfer Pollen: Brush the pollen gently onto the stigma of another flower. The stigma is the top part of the pistil.
- Repeat: To make sure the process works, do it several times over the course of several days.
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2. Harvesting Amaryllis Seed Pods
Once the flower has been pollinated, seed pods will begin to form at the base of it. It takes these pods about 4 to 6 weeks to get ready.
Steps to Harvest:
- Monitor the Pods: When the seed pods are ready, they will swell up and turn yellow or brown.
- Check for Readiness: They are ready to be picked when the pods start to split open and show black seeds inside.
- Harvesting: Carefully take the pods off the plant and put them somewhere dry with good air flow to dry.
3. Drying Amaryllis Seeds
Drying the seeds properly is crucial for successful germination later.
Steps to Dry:
- Open the Pods: As soon as the pods are completely dry and beginning to split, carefully open them to get the seeds out.
- Drying Process: Place the seeds in a single layer on a paper towel or a fine mesh screen.
- Drying Time: Let the seeds dry out in the open air for a few days. Make sure you keep them somewhere dry, well-ventilated, and out of direct sunlight.
- Storage: Once the seeds are completely dry, put them in a paper bag or a container that lets air flow through it. Write the date and the type of seeds on the label.
4. Saving and Storing Amaryllis Seeds
To keep seeds alive until you’re ready to put them, they need to be stored properly.
Storage Tips:
- Cool and Dry Location: Keep seeds somewhere cool and dry. A refrigerator is best, but stay away from moisture and very high or low temperatures.
- Breathable Container: To stop mold from growing, use a paper bag or a container that lets air flow through it. Don’t use plastic bags because they can hold water.
- Labeling: To keep track of their age and type, clearly mark your seeds with the date and the type.
Conclusion
Growing amaryllis from seeds is a fun and satisfying way to make more of these lovely plants and enjoy their beautiful blooms for many years to come. If you do these things—pollinate the flowers, collect and dry the seeds, store them properly, and plant and care for babies carefully—you can grow amaryllis from a seed to a fully grown flowering plant. If you are willing to be patient and work hard, you will be repaid with a beautiful display of amaryllis blooms that began as a tiny seed. Have fun planting!