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Hippeastrum bulbs have a long history of indoor use, dating
back to the 18th century. In warmer climates they can be grown
outdoors year-round, but in cooler areas they must be brought
inside to avoid freezing. Hippeastrum should be brought in
when night-time temperatures are below 50°F (10°C).
The plant is a rather ungainly looking creature, consisting
of a large bulb from which sprout long, narrow leaves with
rounded tips. These leaves are a deep, rich green with a thick,
leathery texture. Often, Hippeastrum bulbs will flower before
the leaves appear, shooting up a tall, light-green flower
stem with anywhere from 2 to 12 flowers at the top.
Most varieties sold for the holiday season have huge, showy
flowers that last a long time, provided the plant is watered
properly. Light conditions can also affect the length of time
your Hippeastrum flowers; several hours of direct sun daily
is ideal, though once a bulb starts to flower, shady conditions
will not stop it. Shade can make the plant stretch, however,
which will weaken the stem to the point that it may not be
able to support its flowers. Some Hippeastrum plants are so
highly bred for huge flowers that they need to be staked,
no matter how much sun they get.
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