Amaryllis Bulbs For Sale

Amaryllis Plants for Sale – Best In NZ!

Growing flowering plants delivers a vast range of benefits:

• They attract birds and bees.
• They produce beautiful flowers in a wide range of colours.
• Amaryllis flowers have a long vase life, making them a popular choice for cut flowers.
• They are relatively easy to care for and can be grown in a variety of climates.
• Children can learn the plants and become more involved with nature.
• They bring colour and vibrance to a space.
• These plants will bring you pleasure for many years to come.

We have naked-lady plants, hippeastrum, white amaryllis, pink amaryllis, and red amaryllis for sale and ready for their new home. Choose locally grown plants that have been propagated and bred to thrive in NZ’s climate. We stock only the highest quality plants, sourcing them from NZ’s leading nurseries. Each plant is packed and transported with extreme care, ensuring it arrives to you in the same condition it was in when it left the nursery. If you are wanting to buy Amaryllis bulbs, shop with confidence from the best in the industry.

Amaryllis Questions

1. What types of Amaryllis can I grow in New Zealand?

Some of the most popular Amaryllis (and Hippeastrum) grown in New Zealand include:

• Amaryllis belladonna: This variety has large red or white, trumpet-shaped flowers.
• Hippeastrum Papilio: This variety has large, butterfly-shaped flowers in a variety of colours, including red, pink, white, and yellow.
• Hippeastrum Reginae: This variety has large, trumpet-shaped flowers in a variety of colours, including red, pink, white, and orange.
• Hippeastrum Minerva: This type of Amaryllis has large, double flowers in a variety of colours, including red, pink, white, and yellow.
• Hippeastrum Picasso: This Amaryllis has unique, bi-colored flowers in shades of red, pink, white, and yellow.
• Hippeastrum Hercules: This variety has large, fragrant flowers in shades of red, pink, and white.

2. What conditions do Amaryllis need to grow?

Amaryllis prefer full sun and a well-drained soil. They can tolerate dry periods but do benefit from regular watering during the growing season.

3. How do I propagate Amaryllis?

Amaryllis are typically propagated by bulb offsets. These are small bulbs that form around the parent bulb. These can be removed from the parent plant and planted in separate pots to grow on as new plants.

4. How do I harvest Amaryllis flowers?

To harvest Amaryllis flowers, simply cut them off the plant at the base. Arrange them in a vase or other floral arrangement.

5. Common problems with growing Amaryllis

There are a few issues that can be encountered with Amaryllis:

• Root rot is a fungal infection that can be caused by overwatering. To prevent root rot, be careful not to overwater your plant and make sure that the pot has drainage holes.
• Amaryllis can be susceptible to a variety of pests, including aphids, mealybugs, thrips, and spider mites. To control these, use a general insecticide.
• Amaryllis can also be susceptible to a variety of diseases, such as leaf spot and botrytis. These are easily controlled with a fungicide.
• Snails and slugs can eat the leaves and flowers, and are easily controlled with snail and slug bait.

6. Is Amaryllis and Hippeastrum the same?

Amaryllis and Hippeastrum are two closely related genera of bulbous plants in the family Amaryllidaceae. They were once thought to be the same genus, but they are now recognized as distinct. Amaryllis has only one species, Amaryllis belladonna, which is native to South Africa. Hippeastrum, on the other hand, has over 90 species, which are native to South America and Central America. Despite their differences, Amaryllis and Hippeastrum are often used interchangeably as they produce similar flowers.

7. Do amaryllis come back year after year?

Amaryllis will come back year after year as long as they receive proper care:

1. Once the flowers have faded, cut the stalk back to the base of the plant.
2. Continue to water and feed the plant until the leaves turn yellow and die back.
3. At this point, you can either store the bulb in a cool, dark place until next year or repot it in fresh soil.

If you are storing the bulb, be sure to keep it dry and cool. If you are repotting the bulb, ensure it is going into well-draining soil.

8. When should I buy an amaryllis?

The best time to buy an amaryllis bulb in New Zealand is during the autumn months, typically from March to May. This is because amaryllis bulbs need a cool dormancy period of about eight weeks before they can be forced into bloom for the Christmas season. Planting an amaryllis bulb in the autumn will give it enough time to go through its dormancy period and be ready to bloom by Christmas.

9. Will amaryllis multiply?

Amaryllis bulbs can multiply over time. They produce offsets, which are small bulbils that develop at the base of the main bulb. These offsets can eventually be separated from the main bulb and grown into new plants.

10. What to do with a potted amaryllis after it blooms?

Once your amaryllis has finished flowering, you can follow these steps to care for it so it flowers again in the future:

1. Cut the flower stalk: After the flowers have faded, cut the flower stalk back to within a few cm of the bulb. This will help the plant conserve energy and focus on its roots and foliage.
2. Keep watering your amaryllis regularly, allowing the top inch of soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Continue fertilizing your amaryllis every month or two during the growing season (spring and summer) using a balanced liquid fertilizer.
3. Allow the leaves to keep growing: The leaves of your amaryllis will continue to grow and photosynthesize, producing energy that will be stored in the bulb for next year's flowers.
4. Stop watering and fertilising in late autumn. At this time the leaves start to turn yellow and brown. Allow the leaves to dry out completely and then cut them back to within a few cm of the bulb.
5. Place the amaryllis bulb in a cool, dark place, such as a basement or garage until late winter.
6. Plant the bulb in late winter and start watering regularly and resume fertilising monthly.
7. With proper care, your amaryllis should bloom again within 6-8 weeks.

11. What are some important facts about amaryllis?

Here are some important facts about amaryllis:

• Botanical Classification: Amaryllis belongs to the genus Hippeastrum within the Amaryllidaceae family. It is closely related to lilies, daffodils, and tulips.
• Origin and Distribution: Amaryllis is native to tropical and subtropical regions of South America, particularly the Andes Mountains. It has been widely cultivated and hybridized worldwide, resulting in a vast array of colours, shapes, and sizes.
• Blooming and Dormancy Cycle: Amaryllis has a unique blooming and dormancy cycle. It typically blooms in the winter or early spring, producing large, showy flowers that can last for several weeks. After flowering, the plant enters a dormant phase, where it stores energy in its bulb.
• Symbolism and Significance: Amaryllis is often associated with passion, love, and beauty. It is a popular choice for Valentine's Day gifts and holiday decorations. In some cultures, amaryllis is believed to bring good fortune and prosperity.
• Care and Cultivation: Amaryllis bulbs are relatively easy to care for. They require well-draining soil, bright indirect light, and regular watering. During the growing season, they benefit from occasional feeding with a balanced fertiliser.
• Propagation: Amaryllis can be propagated by offsets, which are small bulbils that form at the base of the main bulb. These offsets can be separated and grown into new plants.
• Toxicity: Amaryllis bulbs and leaves are considered mildly toxic to humans and pets if ingested. Symptoms of ingestion may include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
• Longevity: Amaryllis bulbs can live for many years with proper care. They can rebloom annually, providing you with a beautiful and festive display for years to come.

12. What triggers an amaryllis to bloom?

Amaryllis plants have a specific blooming cycle that is triggered by several factors, including temperature, light, and dormancy. Here's a breakdown of the key triggers that induce flowering in amaryllis:

1. Temperature: Amaryllis bulbs require a cool dormancy period of about 8-10 weeks at temperatures between 50-55°F (10-13°C) to initiate flowering. This period allows the bulb to accumulate nutrients and prepare for the energy-intensive process of blooming.
2. Light: After the dormancy period, amaryllis plants require bright indirect light to stimulate flowering. Placing the bulb in a sunny location or under a grow light will encourage stem elongation and bud formation.
3. Watering: Regular watering is crucial for amaryllis plants to grow and bloom. Once the bulb is planted and actively growing, water it regularly, allowing the top inch of soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot.
4. During the growing season (spring and summer), provide amaryllis plants with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength every month or two. This will provide essential nutrients for optimal growth and flowering.
5. Offset Removal: If your amaryllis plant has produced bulb offsets, removing them can help encourage the main bulb to focus its energy on flowering. Offsets are small bulbils that form at the base of the main bulb and can be separated and grown into new plants.

By providing the right combination of temperature, light, watering, fertilization, and offset removal, you can effectively trigger your amaryllis plant to bloom and enjoy its vibrant, long-lasting flowers.

13. How did amaryllis get its name?

The name "amaryllis" is derived from a Greek shepherdess in Virgil's pastoral poem Eclogues, (from the Greek ἀμαρύσσω, amarysso, 'to sparkle').

14. What is the myth of the amaryllis?

There are two main legends associated with the amaryllis flower, both of Greek origin.

Myth of Amaryllis and Alteo

The most well-known myth of amaryllis is the tale of Amaryllis, a beautiful maiden who fell deeply in love with a shepherd named Alteo. Alteo, however, was indifferent to Amaryllis's affections and rejected her advances. Heartbroken, Amaryllis sought guidance from the Oracle of Delphi, who advised her to pierce her heart with a golden arrow.

Desperate to win Alteo's love, Amaryllis followed the Oracle's instructions and pierced her heart with the arrow. As she collapsed to the ground, her blood mingled with the soil, giving rise to a magnificent flower with a heart-shaped spathe, symbolizing her enduring love.

Alteo, witnessing this tragic scene, was overcome with remorse and grief. He touched the flower, and miraculously, Amaryllis was revived. From that day on, Alteo reciprocated Amaryllis's love, and the amaryllis flower became a symbol of unwavering devotion and the transformative power of love.

Myth of Amaryllis and the Shepherdesses

Another Greek myth associates the amaryllis with the transformation of a group of shepherdesses into flowers. According to the legend, a group of shepherdesses were dancing in the meadows when they were spotted by Artemis, the goddess of the hunt. Artemis, angered by their disruption of her sacred domain, turned them into amaryllis flowers.

This myth serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of disrespecting the divine and the natural world. The amaryllis flower, with its striking beauty and symbolic significance, embodies both the power of nature and the importance of respecting its boundaries.