Amaryllis Problems

Healthy amaryllis blooms are vibrant.

Amaryllis is a bulb that produces large, trumpet-shaped flowers that come in a wide variety of colors. The plant is generally easy to grow, but occasional problems cause failure to flower, rotting and premature death.

Cultivation Errors

Amaryllis will fail to flower if the bulbs were dug up too early the prior season. The University of Florida Extension advises waiting until the leaves yellow and die back before pulling up and storing bulbs.

Inadequate light -- too much shade -- reduces the plant's ability to photosynthesize and bloom. Soil that's too rich, overuse of high-nitrogen fertilizer and too much water may cause amaryllis to produce excess foliage, but no flowers.

Diseases

Mosaic virus, bulb rot and red blotch negatively affect amaryllis. Mosaic virus causes yellow streaking on foliage and reduced growth and flowering. Bulb and root rot occurs in excessively wet soil. The fungal disease red blotch creates reddish-brown spots on bulbs and leaves.

Destroy infected bulbs. Prevent further disease problems by planting new bulbs in sterilized soil. Don't over-water plants.

Pests

According to Clemson University Cooperative Extension, insects that damage amaryllis include scales, mites, thrips, bulb maggots and mealybugs. Moles, pocket gophers, rabbits and squirrels also cause trouble. Insecticides can be used for insects and barriers can be set up to protect against small animal pests.

References

• Clemson University Cooperative Extension: Amaryllis
• University of Florida IFAS Extension: Amaryllis

Resources

• Iowa State University Extension Reiman Gardens: Growing Amaryllis