Amaryllis-and your profit, Clivia an evergreen amaryllid

The large Dutch bulbs are favorites with collectors and others who want the pleasure of bringing a bulb to flower in their own homes. Because they take so much space, it is not generally a money-making proposition for the small operator to propagate these bulbs, unless you are thinking of establishing your own line of hybrids. If you want to sell the large Dutch types, you will make more money purchasing bulbs in quantity lots and reselling them at retail in early fall. If you pot leftover bulbs, you can sell them as budded or flowering plants.

The species amaryllis are smaller flowered and much prized by collectors. There are A. striata and its varieties in shades of salmon to near pink; A. calyptrata with fragrant green flowers; the “blue” amaryllis, A. Worsleya Rayneri, with mauve-tinted, ruffled flowers; Mrs. Garfield, a named variety of A. reticulata, having a cream-colored stripe down the leaf midribs and pink-and-white flowers with the coming of autumn.

Dr. Ira Nelson of Louisiana State University has discovered some beautiful South American species. A number of these are definitely yellow. One especially fine one is A. Evansae, which opens creamy yellow and fades to white with foliage and flowers much smaller than those of the Dutch amaryllis. Get your start on the species by purchasing bulbs or seeds. You can then pollinate the flowers and sell the seed crop. Or you can grow the seeds and sell the seedlings, and increase the price according to their age.

Amaryllis calyptrata and A. Evansae are difficult to self pollinate. With these the best procedure is to use pollen from another plant of the same species rather than from the same plant. Thus, it is good insurance to purchase two bulbs of the rarer sorts-or grow a few seedlings for your own hybridizing.

Clivia

An evergreen amaryllid, Clivia produces umbels of salmony orange flowers. Because of its bulk, it is not generally a money maker for the small greenhouse, but you should know about it and perhaps grow a few as a trial. It is stunning in flower, and rather decorative in leaf, too. This amaryllid grows from heavy rootstocks rather than from a bulb. The dark green leaves remain on the plant for 2 or more years. Clivias require the same soil and light as amaryllis, but they need somewhat different care during their rest period. While they should never be allowed to go dormant, they must have at least 3 months in a cool (50-degree) temperature to form buds. Blooming time is variable, but usually from Easter until midsummer.

Do not repot oftener than absolutely necessary, as clivias are temperamental and seldom produce flowers the year they are repotted. Clivia miniata, the most popular one, has large umbels of salmon flowers; C. caulescens, a good one for collectors, slender orange-and-green flowers. Seeds of either bring as much as 25 cents each; mature plants of C. miniata sell for around $4.00; C. caulescens for at least $6.00.

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