If you want to decorate with real flowers this Christmas, then there is no better choice than amaryllis. The beautiful flowers of the knight's star appear just in time for Christmas and put the apartment in a festive mood. These plants grow happily and bloom profusely not only in soil, but also in a glass with or without water and stones. Butwhat caredoes the amaryllis require in a glass? We give tips on how the knight's star blooms in time for Christmas and what you should do with the bulb after the flowering period.
Amaryllis without soil: a beautiful decoration for Christmas
You can currently find pre-grown amaryllis in jars everywhere - even in the supermarket. Arranged in beautiful glass vases with moss, fairy lights and stones, the knight's star looks particularly good as a Christmas decoration. So that the plant survives not only until Christmas, but also after and will delight you for years, you should know how to properly care for it. An amaryllis without soil has slightly different requirements compared to a potted plant.
Caring for an amaryllis in a glass: what should you pay attention to?
Has it ever happened to you that you liked a flower so much that you bought it without thinking twice? Then you came home happy, only to discover that the new plant is very demanding and probably wouldn't thrive on people without a “green thumb”? This might stop you from making an impulse purchase next time. But don't let the bad experience stop you from buying an amaryllis for Christmas. Because this plant is not that difficult to care for if you pay attention to a few important points.
Choose the right location
The amaryllis bulbs need a sunny, warm and bright place, e.g. B. on the windowsill to sprout. You should still avoid direct sunlight. In a bright and warm location with a constant temperature of around 20 degrees, the Ritterstern can bloom undisturbed for up to 6 weeks.
Tip to extend the flowering period:Once your amaryllis bulbs begin to bloom, you can move the containers to a slightly cooler location that is not directly lit. This means the flowers stay vibrant and fresh for longer.
Water amaryllis in a glass – yes or no?
An often controversial question is whether you should water the knight's star when it is arranged in a glass. Watering is actually no longer necessary as long as the flower has already sprouted. It will do nothing for the flowers and can only encourage the growth of the leaves. And anyone who has decided on an amaryllis certainly doesn't want to look at its leaves, but at its flowers. Basically, you shouldn't water the amaryllis in the glass, just spray it with water every now and then.
Does the amaryllis in the glass need water?
If arranged in a glass, it canbeautiful Christmas flowerthrive without water. Nevertheless, it is possible for you to place the plant in a suitable glass container with water. However, you must make sure that the tuber does not come into contact with the water. There are also special glasses for amaryllis that have a special shape with a puffy base and a constriction that resembles an hourglass. This makes it possible to keep only the roots in water and not to waterlog the tuber.
Protect the onion from rot
To ensure that the knighthood develops its full splendor and blooms continuously over the holidays, you should protect the onion from rot. This is the most important care measure. The distance to the water, if available, must be at least 5 cm. If the water in the glass vessel becomes cloudy, be sure to replace it.
You do not need to fertilize the plant during this growing phase, but if you think it is necessary, just add a small amount of liquid fertilizer to the water.
A useful trick:Do you have a charcoal grill? Then you can add a piece of charcoal to your plant's water to help it stay clear longer instead of becoming cloudy after 1-2 days.
Is moss necessary?
Moss is often used to decorate amaryllis in a glass. Although the natural material is not absolutely necessary, it can help the plant thrive. Moss stores moisture and supplies the roots, while it provides a good base for other decorations such as fairy lights, stones, twigs, berries, etc.
Where to put what has faded?
In addition to regularly replacing the water or spraying the plant, you should also cut off withered flowers. Always wear gloves because the sap of the knight's star is poisonous and can cause allergies.
Also read:Repotting amaryllis in November: Helpful tips on how to repot your plant correctly!
The knight's star may look beautiful in a glass, but at the end of the flowering period it needs to be potted. Without soil, the onion cannot survive the next phases of vegetation.
How to do it correctly:
Once the amaryllis has finished flowering, cut off the flowers and plant the bulb in a pot with regular potting soil. The neck of the bulb should protrude from the soil. Place the potted knight's star brightly and at around 20 °C, ideally in a heated living room. You should fertilize the plant regularly in spring and summer. From late summer onwards, reduce watering and stop fertilizing completely. If you notice leaves turning yellow, cut them off and allow the plant to rest for about 2 months until you repot it again and prepare it for flowering in December.
You will receive detailed instructions for caring for amaryllis throughout the yearin this article.
