Knowing this groups interest in the Amaryllis, I decided you
might be interested in this post from ARS. It makes me wish I could
grow them outdoors here.
------- Forwarded message follows -------
Date sent: Fri, 12 Dec 2003 07:32:41 -0500
From: ARS News Service
To: ARS News subscriber
Subject: [ars] Amaryllis Takes the Stage at Arboretum
Send reply to: ARS News Service
[ Double-click this line for list subscription options ]
STORY LEAD:
Amaryllis Featured in Arboretum Exhibit
___________________________________________
ARS News Service
Agricultural Research Service, USDA
Alfredo Flores, (301) 504-1627, aflores@ars.usda.gov
December 12, 2003
___________________________________________
The popular holiday plant known as amaryllis is being featured in a
two-month exhibit at the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, D.C.
Hundreds of lovely amaryllis in full bloom are on display there now,
including unusual species and dazzling new hybrids.
The exhibit also features interpretive displays that include a
historical retrospective on the role played by the Agricultural
Research Service in developing this important ornamental crop. ARS,
the U.S. Department of Agriculture's primary scientific research
agency, administers the arboretum.
In 2001, indoor forcing bulbs such as the amaryllis were purchased by
8.5 million U.S. households.
One of the foremost amaryllis experts, Alan W. Meerow, a plant
geneticist at the ARS Subtropical Horticulture Research Station in
Miami, Fla., will be discussing the development of amaryllis on
Saturday, Dec. 13, at 10 a.m. in the auditorium of the arboretum's
administration building. He will explain the merits, uses and care of
this easy-to-grow holiday bulb. When properly handled, an amaryllis
bulb may produce flowers year after year.
Amaryllis species belong to the genus Hippeastrum and have large,
bell-shaped or lily-like flowers in a wide range of flower colors.
Very large, robust blooms and beautiful textures add to their appeal.
While working for the University of Florida's Fort Lauderdale
Research
and Education Center, Meerow created three new amaryllis
cultivars--named "Bahia," "Rio" and "Sampa"--in 1987. The three are
complex hybrids of H. papilio and exhibit novel floral coloration
patterns. "Bahia" has an unusual color pattern of red, tipped with
white, while "Rio" is intensely fragrant and "Sampa" is a semi-dwarf
that bears up to 10 flowers on each stem. All three are also
resistant
to red scorch, a plant disease that causes red spots on leaves,
flower
stems and flowers. Red scorch often deforms leaves or stems and forms
large, red blotches in the bulb that rot easily.
Additional information on the U.S. National Arboretum, its amaryllis
display and its hours can be found on the World Wide Web at:
http://www.usna.usda.gov ___________________________________________
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NewsService@ars.usda.gov | www.ars.usda.gov/news * Phone (301)
504-1638 | fax (301) 504-1648
------- End of forwarded message -------Slow has four letters
so has life
Speed has five letters
so has death
