The smooth stems of miniature Hippeastrum ‘Rapido’ bear clusters of lily-shaped, bright crimson-red flowers during winter.
South African native Hippeastrum bulbs are often referred to as Amaryllis and are bred to flower indoors during the cooler months; often used to bring a splash of colour into the home over the festive season. Grow alongside larger blooming varieties such as Hippeastrum ‘Ferrari’ to create a wonderfully layered and luxurious look for a natural Christmas display.
Each bulb will produce up to 3 stems, holding up to 5-6 delightful, trumpet-shaped exotic blooms.
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.