Hippeastrum brazilianum

Dennis Tsang (May 11, 2005)
Hong Kong

Dr. Alan Meerow

Hugh Bollinger

Dennis Tsang

Dennis Tsang

Introduction: Also known as H. brasilensis.

Origin: Santa Teresa, Brasil.

Cultivation: Enjoys bright light though it grows well also in half shade. Plant bulbs entirely beneath soil surface. Growing medium is ideally rich in organic contents. Bulbs respond well to frequent application of 20-20-20 plant food. The species can stand night temperature to 55F (tender to half hardy) and growth remains inactive for about 3 months during winter time. Bulbs do not mutliply very quickly. The best way to multiply is by seed. Seedlings may take 6 years to flower. Resistant to mosaic virus infection.

Varieties/Forms: There is a form with purple bottomed leaves.

Observation: The long white trumpet looks like a lily. This fragrant species also looks like H. solandraeflorum which is native to States of Goias and Mato Grosso in northern Brasil and in Venezuela but H. solandraeflorum is not scented. Leaves of H. brasilianum are slightly glaucous.

Further reading: PLANT LIFE 1976. HERBERTIA 1988 Vol.2, p.27

--Dennis Tsang