Vegetative Propagation of Amaryllis (Hippeastrum × johnsonii ) by Different Cutting Methods

Amaryllis ($Hippeastrum{\times}johnsonii$) is commonly propagated by three methods: seeds, offset bulblets, and twin scaling. Since the number and size of bulblets produced by these methods are low, we conducted an experiment to evaluate different bulb cutting methods for propagation. For this purpose, bulbs (circumference of 30 - 35 cm) were sectioned or notched into 8, 12, or 16 segments or twin-scaled into 48, 72, or 96 segments for bulblet formation. Our results show that the largest number of bulblets was produced by the twin scaling method, but they take longer to grow to a final, commercial size. Sectioning and notching resulted in larger, but fewer bulblets than twin-scaling. Compared to notching, sectioning provided more space for the bulblets to grow, and is therefore the recommended method. While increasing the number of sections cut from a single bulb resulted in a larger number of bulblets, the diameter of the bulblets decreased. Therefore, sectioning the bulb into 8 segments was the best method for producing an acceptable number of vigorous bulblets.