It is just like onions and garlic...that is just the outer skin..no big worry. It is more exposed to the air and to some light so it dries up faster. When I changed my glass container to a wider one, I had to remove those dried up outer skin and tunic.

I am new here and I really don't know how to use this forum. I post this information in another place but don't know if I did it right.
Hi my name is Barbara, I have about 200 Butterfly Amaryllis bulbs that did not bloom last year. What can I do to make them bloom again? I really don't know very much about caring for and growing bulbs but I would really like to learn. I am in Orange County Ca and have a large garden every year but I have no experience growing bulbs. They have all bloomed in the past but this year nothing. Thank you so much for your help

Barbara

Hi Barbara, welcome to ATP, I only grow a dozen bulbs inside so I am going to see if I can get another member, her name is Barbara also, to help you.

@bsharf Hi Barbara, maybe you can give our new member here some advice on getting her Butterfly Amaryllis to bloom.

Howdy Barbara!

I only grow a few too and in containers..the other Barbara has more extensive experience.

You may want to describe further how long you have planted the bulbs, like what time of the year did you plant it, when it actually bloomed, is it in full sun..what watering and fertilizer regimen did you do. And what are your current conditions now..temperature and humidity-wise.

tarev said:Howdy Barbara!

I only grow a few too and in containers..the other Barbara has more extensive experience.

You may want to describe further how long you have planted the bulbs, like what time of the year did you plant it, when it actually bloomed, is it in full sun..what watering and fertilizer regimen did you do. And what are your current conditions now..temperature and humidity-wise.

Hi Barbara, welcome to the forum. I remember that some growers refer to the Hippeastrum papilio as the Butterfly Amaryllis, so I assume that is what you mean. Its a H. species which was originally found growing in Brazil. In general , the showy cultivars that we are growing indoors are H. hybrids that were developed in the past 100 years. I know that the Papilio has very different growth requirements than do the modern hybrids. The Papilio needs less water in the summer and is more likely to be evergreen. They also produce a lot of pups. Have they bloomed in the past outdoors for you? Was last year the first year they didn't bloom? How many hours of sunlight are they receiving. How many years have they been in that particular bed? Are the bulbs producing a lot of pups? If there are a lot of pups, the bulbs may be trying to reproduce asexually instead of sexually with flowers. I have planted papilio outside, but in ten years, I've only had one papilio produce flowers after four years in the ground. I know that they can be really tricky in terms of getting them to flower when planted outside.

Hi Barbara (bsharf), how are your WFF bulbs doing so far? Are any new growth springing up? Would like to know. Thanks (my peacock is doing great except no sign of the 2nd scape yet; my Samba still sleeping.. )

tarev said:It is just like onions and garlic...that is just the outer skin..no big worry. It is more exposed to the air and to some light so it dries up faster. When I changed my glass container to a wider one, I had to remove those dried up outer skin and tunic.

TY, Tarev.

Welcome Fiat!

Happy thanksgiving to all who came to share (and visit) in this thread! I am especially thankful that I have now grown (collected) 42 houseplants since early summer. Here is day 34 for my peacock:


A correction to my previous post about my active plants in winter time: adding my baby spider as one of very actively growing plants (it grew new leaves just a few days ago):
2014-08-26 and Today:



And then, came the last (never last?) collection: the Mint.

I bought it from a grocery store thinking of use for cooking. I follow the instruction and put the small pot (roots come out from bottom holes) in a tray with water.. it looks good and smells nice.. so I am thinking to keep it and not eat it. Is it possible to live long long time like other plants? Any thought? Thanks

Woohoo! Peacock doing very nice Fiat!

Good growing on your spider plant too!

I do not grow mint, but I think it will not harm the plant to get some of the leaves..it may actually encourage it to grow more so it lasts longer.

Happy gobble gobble weekend to you as well!

Thanks, Tarev. Hope all your bulb plants have a nice 'dry rest' and after that all have heavenly blooms. Happy holiday, Tarev and everyone.

Limon is blooming, waiting for a bloom to open a little more then I will post a photo or 2.

Margaret, you so lucky! I look back to your pic and surprisingly see no leaves on any of the three. I know you said later that the Limona has started new leaf at center, but now I wonder why my peacock has gone the opposite way: leaf first, then scape? Well, probably each bulb has its own way of doing business (my Samba's stubborn/lazy way?)

Can't wait to see your pic.

Fiat, you are correct, each bulb does it's own thing, don't worry about the leaves, it will be fine as the scape should get nice and tall above the leaves.

Hi, Here comes my Samba on day 37:

See something interesting? Would anyone say it's a new growth? I hope.

Fiat, that sure looks like a scape to me, another day or two and we will know for sure!

A scape !? I'll be happy enough if it's just a new leaf tip (to show it's waking up). But so nice to hear it's a likely scape coming. Thanks

I see something peeking too! Woohoooo! So excited for you Fiat!

Yeah, thanks Tarev. Something is peeking all right, but the color looks a bit pale, not very fresh green. Just wonder maybe Samba has more pale green scape? Well, see how it runs next few days.