Amaryllis care
Caring for the beautiful flowers of amaryllis is not difficult only when all the conditions necessary for the successful maintenance of this plant in the home garden are met. Let's consider some important rules.
Site selection and lighting
During the period of growth and flowering, amaryllis prefers that the room temperature be from +20 to +22 ° C during the day, and at least +18 ° C at night. It is recommended to protect the plant from temperature extremes and drafts.
Amaryllis is best placed in an area where it will be provided with a sufficient amount of diffused sunlight. It is best if the plant is provided with light for 16 hours a day.
After flowering, caring for amaryllis implies a dormant period for these plants. When amaryllis goes into hibernation, it needs a temperature of about + 10 ° C.
This period usually begins in the summer, starting in June and ending in August. At this time, there is no need to water the plant, it loses its leaves and prepares for a new flowering. In the fall, it wakes up, blooms, and then grows fresh leaves.
Caring for amaryllis in winter is the same as during active growth.
Watering and humidity
Florists will be happy to know that amaryllis does not require high humidity. Moreover, if it exceeds 80%, it will be dangerous for the plant.
A very important point - from the beginning of the growth of the flower arrow and until it reaches a height of 10 cm, the plant cannot be watered
When the arrow has grown to 10 cm, watering resumes, but it is very important to ensure that water does not fall on the bulb
Watering should not be too abundant - on the contrary, it is useful for the plant to lightly dry the soil between waterings.
Transfer
It is very important for amaryllis to find the right pot. The container should be the size of the onion so that a distance of 1.5 to 2 cm remains from the walls of the dish.
The pot should be squat and heavy so that during the flowering of the plant it does not lose its balance and does not turn over. This rule is the same for the first planting in the care of the amaryllis flower.
It is necessary to replant the plant in July, when the dormant period ends.
It is necessary to change the place of residence of amaryllis carefully so as not to damage the roots and young leaves. If a daughter bulb is formed, it must be separated and planted separately.
You need to plant the bulb so that it rises by a third above the ground. Once the amaryllis is planted in the ground, it begins to grow a new root system.
Planting soil can be purchased at the store by choosing bulb soil. Experienced flower growers can make an earthen mixture on their own from:
- 2 pieces of leafy land;
- 2 pieces of turf;
- 1 part humus;
- 2 parts perlite or coarse sand.
The soil must be sterilized in advance by spilling it with boiling water or holding it in the cold. Do not forget about good drainage at the bottom with a layer of 2 - 3 cm. Amaryllis will appreciate if there is a large drainage hole at the bottom of the pot, and a layer of pebbles will fit on the soil surface.
Reproduction
Amaryllis can be propagated in a variety of ways.
Seeds. The method does not preserve varietal characteristics, but it allows to obtain bulbs that age more slowly, and also have an unpredictable color of flowers.
Onion children. A very common and convenient method for obtaining a plant with the desired color.
By dividing the bulb. A painful method for the plant.
Diseases and pests
The most common diseases and pests of amaryllis are as follows:
- Red burn;
- Various types of rot;
- Spider mites;
- Thrips;
- Slugs;
- Mealybugs;
- Earthworms;
- Narcissus fly.
Frequent problems
Amaryllis is prone to the following problems.
The bulb is shrinking - little light, too many babies or tiredness from very abundant flowering
The plant does not bloom - little light, fertilization is required, too many children, skipping a dormant period, the bulb is too deeply planted or root decay.
We can say that amaryllis is exotic, available to everyone. A flower grower who gives love and care to this plant brings the incredible beauty of a flowering tropical plant to his home and the lives of his loved ones. Luxurious amaryllis flowers can not only cheer you up, but also warm you with the breath of spring and tune your thoughts to a sublime mood.
And for those who like to know more, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the video on growing and caring for amaryllis
Reproduction of amaryllis
Amaryllis is propagated most often in the traditional bulbous way - by separating daughter bulbs. Small bulbs must be planted to the same depth in which they grew before transplanting. In two years, the young bulbs will already grow to the size of the mother.
Amaryllis bulbs
There is also another way. You can divide a large onion into divisions. The main requirement for the cuttings is that each of them must have a piece of the bottom and several old scales. Some bulbs can even be divided into 30 or more parts. Sections must be immediately sprinkled with ash or crushed activated carbon. The central part of the bulb, which has the makings of leaves, is not used.
Delenki need to be planted in the sand and kept warm. After a month, they will give the first leaves. When the second leaf appears, you can transplant the plant into loose soil.
Amaryllis sprout
If you decide to try to propagate amaryllis with seeds, then you should remember that seeds lose their germination very quickly, so they need to be sown almost immediately after collection.
Differences in the care of hippeastrum and amaryllis
Hippeastrum, unlike amaryllis, can be found not only in indoor floriculture, but also in the open field. Many summer residents plant a flower in their garden plots.
Hippeastrum in the garden
When growing both crops, it is recommended to adhere to some rules, namely:
- Water stagnation should not be allowed. Watering activities must be approached responsibly, watering moderately. Overflows often negatively affect the plant, the bulb simply begins to rot. It is recommended to moisten the substrate with well-separated water at room temperature. It is best to apply it after the top layer dries.
- Amaryllis is very fond of the sun, so it is better to choose southern windowsills for him. But his counterpart is not very fond of direct sunlight, the south side is also suitable for him, but you need to provide some kind of protection in the form of an awning. To eject the arrow, sufficient lighting is required; in the shade, the culture is unlikely to give a peduncle.
- Mandatory rest. A period of rest is vital for bulbous representatives, at this time the flower is gaining strength, therefore it is imperative to send them into hibernation. To do this, choose a dark and cool room, but before that they begin to gradually reduce the number of watering and fertilization.
- Transfer. Before transplanting amaryllis or hippeastrum, several activities are required with their bulb. Examine their roots, remove rotten, sick ones. Sprinkle the cut points with charcoal. After that, they should be disinfected; for this, the roots are soaked in a weak solution of manganese. This will help avoid possible infection.
- Landing. The bulb is placed in a moistened substrate for 2/3, the upper part should remain on the surface. In this case, you do not need to water.
- Top dressing, regardless of the type of crop, is done immediately after wintering.For this, mineral complexes intended for indoor flowering plants are introduced into the soil. This is done twice a month. After the appearance of the peduncle, a replacement is made, phosphorus fertilizers are used.
There are several ways to propagate representatives of the amaryllis family. Use babies that appear on the bulbs. Or use the seed method. But here you need to take into account that they have different germination periods. In hippeastrum, the seeds germinate after two weeks, but amaryllis takes much longer to do this, the first shoots will appear no earlier than a month after planting.
Difference in care
Caring for amaryllis at home
Amaryllis or belladonna is considered an unpretentious plant. The acquired planting material is disinfected in a solution of potassium permanganate, then planted in earthen soil for indoor flowers. The bulb should protrude a third from the soil surface. After planting in a pot, the earth is shed.
- Until February, the bowls are kept in a cool place at a temperature not exceeding 10 degrees Celsius.
- In March, they are exposed on the windowsill - the plant begins an active growth period.
- At this moment, it is good to shed the flower and feed it with organic fertilizer. Nitrogen will give strength for the formation of a rosette of leaves.
- After 2 weeks, fertilizing with a complex mineral fertilizer is applied to provide the indoor flower with all the substances necessary for growth.
Planting amaryllis on the site
Before planting, they dig up the earth, add rotted manure and compost. The bulbs are planted at the end of May. If the last month of spring turned out to be warm, then it is possible earlier. A distance of 30 cm is maintained between the bulbs.
Water sparingly, avoiding frequent soil moisture. With an excess of water in the ground, the ward will direct his efforts to the growth of the green mass, and not the peduncles. In this case, Spartan conditions or neglect in care will be a signal for the plant to reproduce "offspring". Amaryllis will shoot arrows with inflorescences.
During flowering, the plants are fed with mineral fertilizer, and at the end of this period they practically stop.
Growing hippeastrum
At the beginning of winter, the plant comes out of the dormant period, this time of year is also favorable for planting.
The first important rule for the growth of the hippeastrum is an elongated pot. The root system of the flower grows deeper, occupying all the new space
They choose a medium-sized pot so that the plant develops harmoniously, and does not spend all its energy only on the formation of roots.
Earthen mixture should be for bulbous plants. The onion is planted so that its upper part is above the ground. The pot is placed on the windowsill, where there is the most light during the day. Preference for windows that face south, southwest or southeast. A heat-loving plant develops at 20 - 25 degrees Celsius.
Water, slightly moistening the soil, so that the water does not touch the bulb. There is an opinion that as long as there is no foliage, the plant is left without care. Only when an arrow with an inflorescence appears, watered. Water is added gently and in moderation.
The first feeding is carried out when the stem with inflorescence reaches 15 cm.Add superphosphate and wood ash. The plant needs phosphorus and potassium, and nitrogen can cause gray rot.
The mother's bulb produces many bulbs that should be transplanted. Therefore, a month after flowering, the plant is divided. The best time for this is the last decade of December.
For better growth and flowering, the flower is left alone from the beginning of autumn to October. During this period, the foliage may dry out.
Why amaryllis does not bloom, but only leaves leaves
Quite often, flower growers are faced with a problem when their amaryllis does not bloom, but, having a healthy appearance and developing normally, only releases leaves. The main reason that the plant does not form flower stalks is inadequate care and inappropriate living conditions.
It is important to familiarize yourself with the common mistakes that lead to no flowering and how to fix them:
Cause | Solution |
---|---|
Bad light | Move the culture to a lighter area. An excellent choice would be eastern or western window sills. |
Lack of nutrients in the soil | Do not forget to feed the soil with liquid fertilizer for bulbous ornamental crops. |
Dense soil that interferes with the normal growth of roots | Transplant the bulb into a looser soil medium. |
Low room temperature that inhibits crop growth | Keep the flower indoors where the air temperature does not drop below 20 ° C. |
A small pot, the entire space of which was filled with onion babies. | Plant the young bulbs in separate containers. |
Bulb was not provided with rest | Let the bulb rest by placing it in a cool, dark place. |
The bulb is too submerged in the soil | Transplant the bulb following all planting rules. |
The plant is affected by diseases or pests | Inspect the crop regularly for diseases and pests. |
However, it is not necessary the reason for the lack of flowering poor plant care becomes. If amaryllis released 2 or more peduncles last season and pleased with its long flowering, then it may need a kind of vacation. This is due to the fact that the plant simply did not have time to finally recover from the last abundant flowering. It is also worth remembering that young amaryllis are not able to bloom, their bulbs just not enough forces for the formation of inflorescences. Only adult specimens, over 3 years old, bloom.
Watering
Before flowers appear on the plant, it should be watered sparingly. It is only necessary to moisten the soil to prevent it from drying out. Experienced flower growers from personal experience generally recommend refraining from the procedure. Then, when the buds are tied, the amaryllis should be watered abundantly before the end of the flowering period. It is better to use settled warm water, rain will do.
For a plant, not only waterlogging is dangerous, but also drying out of the soil, so you need to find a middle ground. To retain moisture, you can use sawdust when mulching the soil.
Sawdust mulching
Growing problems
The main problem when growing amaryllis outdoors is the lack of flowering. It is necessary to observe the necessary conditions for the plant to be comfortable, in particular to provide sunlight and protect it from drafts. Timely watering and feeding will make the flowering lush and colorful. Then you will definitely need a support so that the stem does not break.
The lack of flowering is often due to a lack of nutrients in the soil. Improper feeding, poor soil, a large amount of clay are the reasons that the buds cannot set.
If in the past season many flowers were set on the amaryllis or the summer turned out to be cloudy, it is possible that the bulbs have given up all the nutrients and useful substances. As a result of depletion in the current year, the plant can only produce abundant foliage. The buds themselves will not appear, despite proper care. Perhaps the bulb is too deep in the ground. An unsuitable hole was created for her, so the peduncle cannot fully grow. It must be remembered that a depth of 15 centimeters is enough.
Note! If the plant is not transplanted in winter, daughter ones are formed on the bulb. When there are too many of them, flowering does not occur.
Therefore, you need to dig up and remove the daughter bulbs.
Disease prevention
Amaryllis grown in the country can suffer from root or gray rot. Also, brown spots sometimes appear on its foliage, which often affect peduncles. This disease is called red burn. To stop the spread, you need to remove all infected parts of the plant and treat with special means.Damage to the leaves and peduncles usually indicates that the disease has also affected the bulb. It is with her that the infection of amaryllis begins.
Storing your bulbs correctly and inspecting them carefully before planting can help you avoid many problems.
It is also important to observe the watering regime, then it will be possible to grow the plant with pleasure, observing the formation of buds
Buds
The foliage turns yellow
Amaryllis foliage usually turns yellow due to abundant watering. If the moisture regime is not violated and the water does not stagnate at the roots, you need to carefully examine the flower, whether aphids or thrips have settled on it. Sucking parasites take nutrients from the plant, as a result, it withers.
Pale leaves
The leaves of the flower can burn out in the sun, as a result, they change their color, become pale. If amaryllis is under the scorching sun, then it is worth shading it a little, because the plant needs diffused light.
Important! Excessive watering and lack of a drainage layer lead to the fact that the leaves turn pale. You can not spray the leaves, the plant does not tolerate this
Garden amaryllis is an attractive perennial plant that can decorate any flower bed. He also feels good on the alpine slides located on the sunny side. Planting and caring for amaryllis in the garden cannot be called burdensome, the main thing is to take care of lighting and establish a water regime. Compliance with all recommendations will help to avoid problems associated with growing a thermophilic representative of the flora, which will delight with annual abundant flowering.
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Growing and transplanting amaryllis at home
Amaryllis reproduces in several ways: by seeds and bulbous babies:
- Growing amaryllis from seeds is a rather long and laborious process, and the plant obtained from seeds will bloom only after 5 years. To obtain seeds, the plant must be manually pollinated with a regular brush. The seeds are localized in the capsule and are harvested only after it dries. Fresh seeds are sown in a nutritious and loose substrate, and the seedling container is placed in a warm and well-lit place.
- Reproduction with the help of babies is a quick and reliable way to get a new flower. Babies appear exclusively in a healthy and mature mother plant. Immediately after separation, the children are seated in small containers filled with a sand-perlite mixture for growing. Fortified bulbs are transplanted into permanent soil. With proper care, in 2-3 years, a plant grown from children will be capable of flowering.
The plant does not need a private transplant. It is enough to transplant the flower into a new container once every 2-4 years. But it is better to carry out a partial soil replacement annually. It is recommended to carry out the transplant procedure 3-4 weeks after the end of flowering.
The transplant is performed in the following sequence:
- At the bottom of a previously prepared pot, 2-3 cm of the drainage layer is laid out. Expanded clay, crushed stone, small pebbles or broken shards can be used as drainage.
- A soil mixture is poured over the drainage, consisting of turf, leafy earth, peat, humus and sand, taken in equal quantities.
- The flower is carefully removed from the old container and examined for damage and disease. If necessary, damaged areas of the bulb are removed, and the cut sites are treated with antifungal drugs.
- The planting material is immersed in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for a quarter of an hour and dried.
- The bulb is 2/3 immersed in the ground with the blunt end down.
- The ground around the flower is neatly compacted.
- The plant is watered with soft water at room temperature.
It is recommended to use a deep pot as a new container, the diameter of which will be 3-4 cm larger than the onion.
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How to care for amaryllis at home
After planting a flower, the bulb does not need abundant watering. It is possible to increase the amount of water at the stage of development when the height of the amaryllis reaches five cm. The earth should be slightly moist - this is a good incentive for the release of the peduncle. Do not forget that if amaryllis is in a room with high humidity, watering should be greatly reduced, otherwise, the process of decay will begin in the young roots. In winter, the plant does not need complementary foods, but in the summer, once every 14 days is enough. Amaryllis is a sun-loving flower, but if it is constantly under naked sunlight, the root system may dry out, this should be closely monitored. The leaves will shine if sprinkled with water from time to time. But you should not do this under bright rays, otherwise the risk of burns increases. In summer, the plant can be placed on a veranda or balcony. At rest, amaryllis is in winter. You need to start reducing the number of irrigations in the fall, almost completely remove them at the end of November - one watering in three weeks will be enough. The petals dropped by the plant will play the role of fertilizer. During this period, the plant does not need light, and the tub can be safely rearranged in the shade. Temperatures up to 10 degrees are suitable.
Care
When the plant rises, it remains to carry out competent care. This is not difficult, given the unpretentiousness of the amaryllis
Temperature
In terms of thermoregulation for amaryllis, everything is simple: the usual room temperature of + 20-25 ° C is suitable for it. It does not tolerate cold air in active growth phases
During the rest period, he needs cooler conditions - up to + 10-13 degrees
An important requirement when growing amaryllis is the constancy of temperature: the plant does not like its sharp jumps. But regular airing will have a good effect on his well-being.
The main thing is to avoid drafts.
When the amaryllis starts to bloom, you can lower the temperature slightly. This will extend the flowering period.
Lighting
Photo of flowers on the windowsill
Amaryllis comes from warm, sunny regions. Therefore, the plant is light-loving; lack of ultraviolet light will lead to little or no bloom.
It is better to choose a southeast, south or southwest window for the pot. In phases of active growth, it is necessary to provide amaryllis with diffused sunlight for 14-16 hours. Direct sunlight is undesirable: the petals may fade and fade.
The plant is drawn towards the sun, so the pot will have to be rotated regularly. In the resting phase, amaryllis does not require any additional lighting conditions.
Watering and spraying
Moisturizing the earth
Amaryllis is a moisture-loving flower, so regular watering is required. You can only use soft, settled room temperature water.
It is permissible to water through the pallet. The soil must always remain moist, but not excessively: otherwise, the roots of the bulb will rot. Especially careful watering is provided during the period of flower activity.
During the dormant period - usually it occurs in winter - watering is stopped. It is enough just to spray the soil in the pot around the bulb. The dormant period ends when the plant releases an arrow of a new peduncle. From the moment of its germination to 7-10 cm, watering is gradually resumed.
In the room where there are pots with "sleeping" bulbs, the humidity level should be 60-70%.
Amaryllis can be sprayed, and it is permissible for the water to fall on the flowers: it does not harm them. In the active phases of growth, the recommended humidity level in the room is up to 80%.
Top dressing
Plant feeding is a necessary process
Amaryllis is fertilized only during the growing season. For this, liquid mineral or organic fertilizers are purchased in a specialized store.Mullein or bird droppings are introduced as organic matter.
It is desirable that there is little nitrogen in the composition of purchased mineral mixtures: the element contributes to the abundant growth of foliage, and flowering, on the contrary, will be scarce. But there should be a lot of phosphorus and potassium. You need to feed the flower once every two weeks.
Transfer
Transplant process
An adult amaryllis is transplanted every 3-4 years. In other cases, it is enough to renew the top layer of the potted substrate. It is permissible to transplant only when the flowering has ended, and the peduncle stem has withered. The transplant is carried out in this way:
- Good watering needs to be ensured in a few days.
- The amaryllis is removed from the pot, the roots of the plant are examined. If there are rotting or damaged areas, they will have to be carefully removed with a sterile knife.
- The cut sites are treated with an aseptic preparation. Activated carbon can be used
- If there are tubercles on the bulb, they must also be carefully removed so that they do not interfere with the growth of the parent plant.
- Then the bulb is transplanted into a new larger pot, drainage is placed on the bottom
Pruning
Indoor flower pruning
Trimming amaryllis is usually not required. Nutrients from the wilting foliage are transferred to the bulb of the plant, where, like in a pantry, they are stored until the next flowering period.
Dried leaves usually fall off on their own. If this does not happen, they are carefully removed at the very base or bent to the ground.
Dormant period
Amaryllis after flowering
When the active phase is over, flowering ends, then the stem and leaves die off. The plant needs to gain strength in order to again delight the owner with a blooming species.
For this, the bulbs, after the leaves and peduncle die off, are mixed for rest in a cool, dark, dry room, for example, in a basement or cellar. The main thing is to ensure the constancy of temperature and humidity levels.
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Description of plants
- Bulbous plant, average stem height about 60 cm.
- It blooms twice a year when planted outdoors and once a year indoors. The reason for this flowering time is the South African origin of the amaryllis, since in the homeland of the amaryllis located in the southern hemisphere, spring occurs in September-November.
- The leaves formed in late autumn or spring die off in warm weather, so the amaryllis flower has a stem and inflorescences, but does not have leaves during flowering. And this is its special peculiar charm!
- Now about the inflorescences. There are from 2 to 12 flowers on the stem, each of which is formed into a funnel-shaped cup of six identical petals. One gets the impression that a skilled craftsman cast the petals in one shape.
- Shades of color of petals - from pale pink to deep saturated purple.
Hippeastrum
- Hippeastrum is also a bulbous plant up to 80 cm high. There are specimens up to 1 m long.
- It blooms up to four times a year (at least 2 times a year), the number of blooms can be regulated by soil selection and appropriate care. The flowering period is in winter and the first half of spring.
- The leaves are arranged as follows: three leaves are located at the base, the fourth serves as a substrate for the inflorescence.
- There are from 2 to 6 inflorescences on the stem. The flowers are formed into a funnel-shaped cup of 6 petals. Depending on the variety, the petals can be narrow or not very, short or long.
- The number of tones and shades of the color range reaches 2000.
Choosing and buying amaryllis
When purchasing an amaryllis bulb, it is very important to make sure that it is healthy, dry, and not covered with red spots or borders that indicate disease. The bulb should look like a regular onion and be firm, heavy, and firm enough.
The bulb should look like a regular onion and be firm, heavy, and firm enough.
When choosing an adult plant, it is very important to make sure that you are buying amaryllis and not hippeastrum. Unfortunately, due to years of botanical confusion, these very similar varieties are often passed off one after the other.
If you decide to acquire amaryllis, please note that the peduncle should not be hollow, but dense inside and carry from 6 to 12 flowers. In addition, amaryllis flowers are much smaller than hippeastrum.
Another sign - when flowering, amaryllis does not have leaves, but its relative does.
It is worth remembering that the amaryllis bulb is poisonous. It is extremely dangerous to eat it. And touching it can irritate the skin. Therefore, all work on caring for the plant must be carried out with rubber gloves, and at the end of them - thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water. In addition, amaryllis should be kept out of the reach of children and pets.
Amaryllis characteristics and species diversity
Amaryllis is a monotypic genus of perennial bulbous plants belonging to the Amaryllis family. The only representative of the genus is Amaryllis Belladonna, or the Beautiful. The underground part of the plant is represented by a pear-shaped bulb, consisting of a large number of scales. The diameter of the bulb can range from 6 to 12 cm. The fibrous roots are located at the bottom of the bulb.
The dense and narrow leaf plates of the flower are arranged in 2 rows, growing directly from the bulb. The length of rich green leaves can reach half a meter, while their width rarely reaches even 2.5 cm. A smooth peduncle, represented by a bare stem, grows from the center of the bulb. As you can see in the photo, one peduncle can carry from 2 to 11 funnel-shaped buds, consisting of 6 elongated petals.
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The diameter of the flowers can reach 12 cm. In their natural habitat, you can find amaryllis with white or pink flowers that exude a pleasant unobtrusive aroma. However, thanks to the hard work of breeders on the basis of Amaryllis the Beautiful, several varieties with a wide variety of colors have been bred.
The most popular amaryllis varieties include:
- Durban. This variety is distinguished by large red inflorescences with whitish stains at the base.
- Parker. Parker amaryllis petals are bright pink, but a yellow throat can be seen at the base.
- Terry nymph. The variety stands out for its soft pink double flowers.
- The Snow Queen. Large-flowered variety, the white flowers of which are covered with a light glossy bloom.
- Red lion. It is one of the most popular amaryllis varieties. On leathery peduncles during flowering, rich red medium-sized buds appear.
There are many varieties of amaryllis, which differ not only in the color of the flowers, but also in their shape. Breeders are trying to breed as many interesting varieties with large variegated flowers as possible.
How to water amaryllis?
Water the newly planted plant very sparingly so as not to overfill the bulb and roots until the new leaves or flower grows and reaches about 5-7 cm in height. Depending on the variety, amaryllis may be the first to appear with foliage or a flower - either of these options is normal, but flower stalks still appear more often. After the leaves or the arrow of the flower have started to grow, the soil should be kept sufficiently moist. But it must be borne in mind that with a strong excess of moisture, thick roots that have not yet taken root and properly rooted can rot, or even the bulb itself, especially if before that it had areas affected by decay.In the absence of leaves and cold weather or a windowsill, moisture from pots, especially plastic ones, evaporates slowly, and this can provoke rotting of roots and bulbs.