Just wondering if anybody has grown this and started it's seeds? If so what can I expect in terms of years to bloom and if self pollinated what do the flowers end up like? I got two seed pods full of seed and so far have 8 seedlings. It has to be self fertile as I had no other plants blooming at the same time.

I grow it but have never had seed.Please keep us up dated as you start them.

I now have 22 seeds that have sprouted a root and 9 that have put up their first leaf.

Most of the seedlings (about 30 ) are at the two leaf stage. I've never started an amaryllis or related plants from seed before, how long do you keep them growing before a dormant period? I would think they would have to form some sort of bulb first but how big is big enough? Or is there no point to a dormant period till they are flowering size (years I expect)?

I don't give my seedlings a dormant period until they bloom.That is usually 2-3 years.

Good to know! Thanks!

gone2seed said:I don't give my seedlings a dormant period until they bloom.That is usually 2-3 years.

What about the mature plants? Do they need a dry cool winter dormancy like the sprekelia? Or can / should they be kept growing year round?

I don't know what the "experts" say but I keep mine growing year round and they bloom ,and multiply,reliably.In fact,they multiply like rabbits.

gone2seed: Is that photo of Hippeastrelia Durga Pradhan? Wow, that's a beauty! I see we don't currently have photo's of that one in the database so I hope you will consider adding a couple of your pictures:

XHippeasprekelia 'Durga Pradhan'

Bearsearch: If you have photo's of seeds or seedlings of yours, I hope you will add some pictures too!

Gonetoseed, I just started growing Hippeastrums last year so I have lots to learn about these amazing plants. Letting the plant grow all year without a dormant period, would that work with an indoor plant as well, it's too cold at night to put them outside during the summer here, we live in the high country, plus I don't want to bring bugs back in the house. I just bought Red Pearl and Papillio and they are starting to grow nicely, hopefully I will get blooms. And I have Red Lion and a hybrid white that I put in dormancy about a month ago, I was told that they wouldn't bloom if the leaves were left on and they continued to grow, true or false? I also have a 2 year old seedling that I started from seed that a friend sent me, it is from an unknown red, it's doing great.

plantladylin said:gone2seed: Is that photo of Hippeastrelia Durga Pradhan? Wow, that's a beauty! I see we don't currently have photo's of that one in the database so I hope you will consider adding a couple of your pictures:

Done.Thanks for reminding me.

@mcash....I have no experience with your conditions so take the following with a large grain of salt.Those of mine that grow in the greenhouse are given a dormant period, where I withhold both water and bright light,for about 3 months.Those growing outside sometimes lose some leaves to freezing but for the most part grow through the winter.The ONLY difference I see is that the outside group bloom later(springtime).

gonetoseed, thanks for the info.

These photos are a bit dark but show the flower well I think. They have the same sparkly petal surface as the sprekelia.
I don't have any pictures of the seedlings yet but I will take some soon. They are in a real good growth spurt right now.

DP has Sprekelia color and Hippi shape.The best of both worlds.It is one of my favorites.

The seedlings so far.

@bearsearch
How are these doing for you?

Unfortunately I lost them to rot. I had been away for a few weeks and it rained heavily. The person looking after my plants thought that would keep them watered so they sat in water for a few days. Really ticked me off but what can you do other than start again. Trouble is I lost the original plant too and haven't been able to get another!

ah, so sorry - I hybridized my own and have been growing seedlings - takes about 3+ years to get big enough to bloom. But worth the effort I think - fun to do. All that effort gone to rot - so sorry.

@bearsearch, so sorry...I started seeds from iris x norrisii and was gone a few days and they dried out Hoping a few will revive.

Gerris2, a wonderful man, offered me some of his 'Durga' bulbs
I've potted them and hoping they will bloom this spring?

I have a bunch of seedlings from other crosses, mostly cybister hybrids. I hope some of them will bloom next year. Some of the bulbs are getting big enough! More pods developing for this year!