Hippeastrum ‘Marilyn’ bears silken, double flowers of apple-white - perfect for bringing a dose of architectural elegance into the home during the gloom of winter, like a breath of fresh air.
The luxuriously large and ornate, layered blooms are incredible to watch as they open, unfolding from tight buds into beautiful green-striped, lily-like white flowers.
South African native Hippeastrum are often referred to as Amaryllis and the large bulbs are grown to flower indoors during the winter months, often given to others as a gift.
Each amaryllis Marilyn bulb will produce two stems, which holds up to 5 spectacular blooms each.
de Jager's top quality, top size bulbs really make a huge difference in terms of flowering.
Before planting soak lower part of bulb and roots in warm water for a few hours. Hippeastrum bulbs should flower approximately six to eight weeks after planting and are best planted between October and January.
Use a peat-free John Innes No.2 or multipurpose compost and choose a pot just slightly larger than the bulb. Position the bulb with roughly one-third exposed above the compost surface. Place pots in a bright warm room at approximately 21°C (70°F) to encourage strong growth. Water lightly at first, increasing gradually once leaves begin to appear. Keep the compost lightly moist but never waterlogged, and avoid leaving excess water in saucers.
Turn the pot regularly so the flower stem develops evenly towards the light, and support taller varieties if needed. Once the flowers open, moving the plant to a cooler room around 15–18°C (60–65°F) will help extend the display and keep blooms looking fresh for longer.