Amaryllis C. Emerald (02/15/06)

[Ann B.]

Wow!

It has started to open, and it is SO, SO, SO VERY different from all of my others. I am so excited. Neato, neatohhhhh, neat-O! I do like this one.

I wish that I had a Johnsonii indoors so they would be blooming more at the same time. I plan to save some pollen from these to try on Johnsonii.

What a treat! I will take a picture in a couple of days. It's raining and very yukky right now so I'm not even going to try the flash on the camera. I'd rather take it outside and try natural light. The cold front is over, and our days are supposed to get more back to normal.

I can't wait for you to see this marvelous bloom!!!!!

[Dazed_Lily]

Ann ! You have peaked my curiosity ! I tried doing an internet search with no success, so I will be very interested to see that bloom ! Did you get it at that arbouritum sale last year ?

[Rebecca]

Ann,

I know which one that is even without the image! That's one of the Hip. cibister hybrids! OMG!OMG! When it pups I just have to have one! Please, PLEZE! With daylily seeds sprinkled over the top.


For those who can't wait for Ann's image, look here:

http://www.easytogrowbulbs.com/browseproducts/Exotic-Amaryllis-Emerald.html


Is that one of the ones your late friends husband dropped off for you? If so, she really did have a very nice collection to have that one in it. It really hasn't been in commerce all that long and being more of a botanical type it isn't very widely distrubited. Oh Wow! I am just so excited for you!

There's another of the Cybister hybrids available, but of course, I can't remember it's name! Something like 'LaPaz', I think. It's more red, but I like the 'Emerald' so much more! I think it's from a cross between H. cybister and H. papilo. You'll see when it's fully open that it does have Papilo's coloration but very slender petals. I think I saw them for the first time on Victoria Reeds' site. I have to look, but I'm pretty sure that's where I saw it. And if you think this one of "exotic" looking, you should see what H. cybister looks like! Totally unreal!

Found a link to an image, far out!

http://www.bulbsociety.org/GALLERY_OF_THE_WORLDS_BULBS/GRAPHICS/Hippeastrum2/species/H_cybister/cybister.html




Bummer, I couldn't get to Veronica Reed's site and I know she had at least two, perhaps three xH.cybisters listed.

Well, guess I'd better go TRY to get some sleep. Ann, you're so lucky to have gotten that one! I'm green with envy! :D


Rebecca

[Ann B.]

I've decided to wait until all the blooms open to take a picture outside. It's suppose to warm up for the next few days, and they are disconnecting the air conditioning at the school for the next two weeks. Sure wish they had done that earlier because we are scheduled to be in the 70's, and it gets hot in those buildings. Thank goodness my rooms have windows.

Here is a picture taken with a flash:

[Ann B.]

These are on the top shelf and getting very little sun. I am holding the camera way above my head to take the snapshots.

Another bloom....

[Ann B.]

Rebecca,

You absolutely must have one of these. The bloom display is spectacular. The only problem that I have had this year is that the first stem is parallel to the patio floor. I thought at first that it must have a bad spot on the stem, but no... It simply grew that way, probably due to lack of light.

The second two scapes are growing more upright, and I hope they stay that way.

Irregardless, the cluster of flowers on these beauties is a treat and much prettier than just taking a closeup of one bloom.

Hopefully, this wet weather will clear so that I can give the blooms some space and take a picture outside.

Most definitely, Rebecca, when one multiplies, you shall receive a gift of one of these. You will be as in awe as I am with their grace and beauty.

Need I say that I am impressed with this winter bloom?

[Rebecca]

Ann,

That would be totally wonderful!

The other H. cybister intraspecie hybrid is 'La Paz' and it is rather awesome looking too; 'Emerald' just has that wild, exotice look to it (because of it's coloration).

H.'Aphrodite' snuck in a bud stewm on me! Gives me 5 now that will be blooming. Got some charcoal put under 'Elvas' and it is holding it's own, bud stem is slowly coming out.



Rebecca

[Ann B.]

Wow!

Papilo has just started to open. I wasn't expected to see this rich, deep burgandy color that is starting to show. My camera is being charged so that I can take a picture.

Looks like maybe I will have both Emerald and Papillio blooms open at the same time and can try my hand at crossing them.

Cathy, Pink Floyd is finally showing some leaf growth, but it is prior year's growth so it has the tinged, brown edge. I looked closer, and, yep, I see a tiny little tip of a bud emerging.

This is exciting!

[Ann B.]

This is one of the Emerald scapes in full bloom....

[Ann B.]

And the other scape...

I hate it, but we are having the drizzly rains today, cool, cold, chilly, and 100% damp, but here's another pic taken with a flash.

[Ann B.]

My awe with Papilio!

[Rebecca]

Ann,

Beautiful!

Don't know that I would back cross 'Emerald' with 'Papilo' as ost of the kids would likely look even more like 'Papilo'. I would use them both with any singles you have blooming ad I'd do a self pollination on 'Emerald' in hopes that a few of the kids woule be more like H. cybister (really spider-like).

I have found, though surfing the web and reading what I could find that 'Papilo' tends to pass on it's shape and color pattern (though not necessarily it's colors) to it's offspring, which might be a very "cool" look when used with solid deep colored cultivars. Pinks might be interesting as well. Something like 'Appleblossom' might yoeld some interesting pastel bloom withthe 'Papilo' form influencing flower shape.

There areen't but a couple or so xH. cybister hybrids available, don't know if that indicates a lack of interest or that it is a difficult parent. With 'Emerald' being an intraspecie hybrid, it may well be sterile, but I think those two species are closely enough related that it might not be a problem. Won't know if you don't try it though!

You go girl!


Rebecca

[Ann B.]

I've gotta admit that I am still totally confused about the 'ploidy' of the various varieties of Hippeastrum.

So, for now, I just try and will attempt to keep records, if I can.

I am in awe as to how many bulbs I have with the wrong labels or none at all, but in the hurry of the moments of cleaning up downed trees after hurricanes, I can understand because even I was moving potted plants and digging plants as fast as I could to get them out of the way of heavy equipment and falling branches.

I have a feeling that I will be crossing a lot of knowns with 'garden' amaryllis. I've gotta admit that when one blooms true to the label name, I am thrilled. Most should... Unfortunately, some are not, but that won't keep me from pollinating.

None of the ones labeled Apple Blossom have come up as Apple Blossom, but then again, I have a huge community (5 gallon pot) of them that I am absolutely sure are Apple Blossom. Another 5 gallon pot has become overcrowded, but I can tell by the shape of the bulbs that they were the ones purchased as 'Garden' amaryllis.

I will not complain because I now realize that more of my older bulbs are actually going to bloom. They are pushing up buds later than usual because I left them outside later than I normally do. However, this year, many of the offsets will go in the garden to make for more room for the newer varieties in a protective environment.

Gosh! I do enjoy these indoor winter blooms...

[Ann B.]

Most of the Emerald bloom stalks have only produced 4 blooms, but there is one stalk with four blooms and in between those 4 blooms are four more buds clearly showing.

Awesome Amaryllis!

[Ann B.]

I am so excited!

Some of the Emerald blossoms have withered, but the seed pods (ovum) is still bright green and appear to be swelling. The first ones were self pollinated. The rest are being pollinated with Papillo.

Papilo is still gorgeous and not showing an sign of the blossom aging. The second bulb is starting to open its bloom. I will try Papilo pollen on several other blooms that are starting to open if the blossom and pollen continues to last this long.

I can't wait to see how the seed pods do and if the seeds are viable.

The 'White and Red' striped that I believe is Sydney is also quite gorgeous. Sort of stands out with pride and strength. The blossoms are holding out well, so I do believe this is another that will make a good hybridizer.

[Rebecca]

Went into the livingroom earlier today to find "someone" had knocked over 'Philladelphia' and snaped off both bloom stalks. I know who did it and believe me I wanted to strangle him. I gathered the blom stems up and put them in water under the lighted plant stand in my office, where most of the buds will go ahead and open. "Somebody" is in really big trouble too!

Looks like 'Elvas' is going to blast it's buds and mother 'Promise' is not looking too good either. Baby 'Promise' is fine as is 'Aphrodite'.

Rebecca

[Dazed_Lily]

Shame on 'someone' !
I can never figure my bunch of amaryllis and just go with the flow. I thought Pink Floyd was a gonner last year and today it is sending up a leaf shoot.
Aphrodite(I think I have two) sent out a leaf shoot which just faded away. This was strange because everyone else is in active growth. When I poked the bulb, it appears to be withering away. Can't understand why that one only is doing that. I had another one that I've left downstairs that I was sure had rot; I doused it with Ajax powder and someday I'll take a closer look.
Sure hope I get flowers on any one of them this year. I have about 8 or 9.

[Ann B.]

Since the kitties found my home, I no longer keep Amaryllis in the house. The cats love them too much.

I'm in awe when I see how many are going to bloom this year. There are a few that aren't showing any signs of growth yet, but most of the older bulbs are going to bloom.

Perhaps it had to do with the tree falling on and all around them. Perhaps it had to do with the heavy rains and winds.

Or Perhaps...

It was simply leaving them outside as long as I could before it threatened to get too cold.

Who knows? I hope that I don't have to deal with the weather bit again, but I do believe I'll wait until the last minute to retrieve the ones that I want to bring inside. I remember covering them with a blanket during the first few frost, so they got cold, but not bitten by frost.

Cathy, Check those roots of the withering ones. Let them dry out a bit, just in case. Let us know what you find when you check them.

[Rebecca]

I have one open bloom on one of the broken off stems from Philly, very pretty, but would have been much nicer on the plant! Momma Philly will go back down to the basement tomorrow and maybe I'll bring 'Aphrodite' up, maybe not.

With the size of the bulb on Philly, it wouldn't surprise me if it sent up at least one more bloom stem, at least I hope it does.


Rebecca

[Dazed_Lily]

Ann- I will definitely check the bulb bottoms. I have a moderately long to-do list before I leave for FL on Saturday; I’ll be back late 3/12. The day before yesterday, the temps were way high--mid 70’s—and I planted the iris that I had just removed from the old house almost 2 weeks earlier. Just this morning as I was climbing over the plastic bags aligning the garage, in order to get into my car, I discovered a bag of iris that I had missed. So, tonite, I will have to do the Teabury Shuffle with the iris and move some tinier ones to make room for this big ol one that I missed. Right now the daylilies and iris look very similar if you don’t look too closely.
I will be so glad when I can get more planted. Not only do I climb over bags, many times I have to sit on the hood of my car and slide over and down to get to the door to the house. Usually though I am able to step over the right front bumper and one or two pots and get the first foot down on the ground. Hubby even has to do that and he has been such a good sport about it !
I’m hoping to situate a few other plants that were recently removed(so they are used to the outdoors already) tonight.
It’s been so neat reading your post this week and seeing how you are thoroughly enjoying your week off. Do have some more fun !

[Dazed_Lily]

What a neat surprise I got this morning while turning the Amaryllis pots. It took more than one look to see way down at the base of Philadelphia—a flower bud popping up ! I hope it survives. Rebecca, can you believe that's the only one sending up a shoot--what a coincidence!
Finally completed my last minute horticultural chores: garaged cannas planted, dumped out contents of flower boxes(carefully just in case a goodie or two remains inside) and put potted daffs in one(not sure if they will bloom) and planted Dutch iris and Rebecca’s daffs in the other. Got my statice and gurantica potted and placed in cold frame. Bagged dl’s against house not looking too great but it’s the best I can do and I’ll have to trust in the power of nature. As Ann mentioned at one point…I did find a little surprise treasure—very bright shiny purple crocuses in bloom in the yard—quite pretty. I’ll probably post once more tonight b4 leaving tomorrow. I have a question about a type of cedar we are thinking of buying. I have to recheck the name I think it’s Cedar eisregen; I’d like to find a pic or someone who can describe it. OK, enough from Babbletta !
found it: http://db.dwellsnur.com/dwells/photo_album/photo_album.cfm?StartRow=31

[Ann B.]

Cathy,

Give them some time and you are likely to see more. Some of mine are still likely to show as time goes by.

I am seeing that some of the buds are damaged by the crushing that the mother bulbs incurred during the storms. Actually, I am amazed that some even lived because the outer layers burst due to the pressure, but I am pleased to report that they are healing fine and acting like nothing ever happened.

It was only supposed to get up to 68 degrees today, but I see that it is now 73 degrees. The low is supposed to be 40-42, but we will see. I will close up the patio and cover the amaryllis bulbs. Guess I'll wait to take the hibiscus outside to bask in some sun and get watered. I don't want to haul them back inside. One never knows here in my microclimate. I have seen bits of frost at 39 degrees.

Enjoy your trip and be safe.

[Ann B.]

The self pollinated Emerald blooms shriveled up and went away. The ones that were pollinated with Papilio (I think - I barely have time to pollinate, no time to label - Wahhhhh) are swelling more and haven't started to shrivel.

More blooms opened today on the second of three scapes. The third scape will start opening in a few days. Papilio blooms are now gone and pods 'appear' to be swelling. Too soon to tell. I used every bit of Papilio pollen that I could get.

More and more Johnsonii are starting to send up leaves. Don't see any scapes yet. The ground is really, really warm with all these 80 degree type days.

I wish I could take another week off before it gets too hot. We do have spring break coming up in April. I hope it is not too hot then, but I am not wishing for too cold either.

[Ann B.]

P.S. I'm still watching Pink Floyd, and the seedlings are doing fine. The leaves turned yellow and dried when I took them outside, but the tiny bulbs are healthy and sprouting new growth.

[Ann B.]

One of the Emerald pods that I thought dried up too early was just hanging there, looking pitiful. I decided to take a peak.

Guess what? There are seeds in there. The seeds are dark brown and smaller, but the each embryo is bigger than what I am used to feeling in the seeds.

The pod itself was not dry or crisp. In fact, it felt sort of damp and leathery. I opened it over a sheet of notebook paper and was in awe to find actually seeds and not just chaff.

Now, it's time to find out if I can manage to get them to germinate.

Hot DOG! I'm going back out there to see if there are any other 'aborted' pods that actually have seed in them.

[Ann B.]

Yep!

I found two others that were looking like they were starting to shrivel up, so I took a closer look. They had both split open, and I could see the dark brown seeds.

And YES! YES! YES! There are seeds in them!

[Ann B.]

I harvested the seed pods from the second Emerald. They burst open during the day today.

Unfortunately, these were the Papilio X Emerald cross, and out of both pods, I may have 2 or perhaps a few more seeds that look like they may be viable. They were brown, but simply not plump.

I will try them, but I don't have much faith in this particular cross. Not that it won't work because there are two many factors involved - like newly planted bulbs.

And I would prefer that they bloom a little later. I am not keeping the patio as warm as I used to keep it, so next year, these will keep their leaves and remain outdoors as long as possible. They will remain in pots and be protected during the winter until they multiply enough to try them in my humid and 'sometimes' wet climate (not very wet right now).

I will try again.

[Ann B.]

I remember a couple of days ago, when I removed the fading scape of 'Emerald', I thought, Gee! You have gotten huge! You look pregnant!

Well, indeed, she was.... A large offset, the size of a quarter split away from the mother bulb and made its appearance known for the first time today.

I love it when these bulbs do that!

[Ann B.]

Both of my Emerald bulbs are HUGE! They are about the size of the larger hybrids which really surprised me. The one that produced the pup (still there) has more leaves than the other, but the second one has wider interior leaves.

I cannot imagine NOT getting more blooms from both of these this year, and I know exactly where to put them again next spring. I will most likely have to repot them, though.

Did I say that the bulbs are HUGE! When I received them, I didn't think they would bloom because they were so small, but they did. Now, they are so BIG!

[Ann B.]

Almost one month later than last year (a new forced bulb), but what should be the regular schedule from now on if I continue to bring them inside.

This scape 'only' has 6 blooms, but I'm pleased to see it.

[CindeeA]

That's a real winner, Ann. It looks like a colorful starfish!

[Ann B.]

Five out of six blooms have opened.

They are so pretty!

[Rebecca]

Very beautiful, Ann! Reminds me of the "Spider Orchids" - Brassia and you know I would love to see a Spider daylily with that color and pattern!

Rebecca

[Hippifreak]

Isn't that a breathtaking spray?!!!!!

Just gorgeous, Ann!

R.

[Ann B.]

Thank you!

It is a welcoming sight when I come home...

And, look at all that pollen!

Just think! Sumatra is opening as we speak and what Hans tells me may be Jungle Star is soon to follow.

I just love being a Mommy to these beauties!!!!