This beautiful Hippeastrum is from southern Brazil where it grows in forests on fallen trees and rocks. It is often described as an epiphyte, and I thought it might be difficult to grow because of this, but I have found it remarkably easy. My other ephiphytic species, like Pamianthe peruviana, I grow in an orchid mix, but Hippeastrum aulicum is grown in my usual mix of perlite, pumice and potting soil (about one third of each), and is not at all fussy or prone to fungal rots.
Since Hippeastrum aulicum blooms now, I have relied on it for Christmas gifts and decoration for Thanksgiving. There is something very appealing about a Hippeastrum that will bloom in early winter.
There is a fair amount of variation in form, color varying from an almost ruby red to bright orange, and petals (or tepals) that are narrow or broad, sometimes wavy along the edges, and with variable amounts of streaking or netting present. Some have given rise to cultivar names. Here is my usual form to the right, and one with broader petals to the left that are strikingly netted.
They are all lovely, and will increase nicely if happy in their home. I should add that I grow them in cool conditions since my greenhouses are not heated and the winter temperatures are only about 35-50F. They flourish in these conditions, and I wonder how well they would do in warmer temperatures.
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