Seriously. You must stop. Every time you post a new flower, I think to myself, I. Must. Have. That. It is very pretty. As a relative of the Amaryllis, I would think with proper hydrating, you could indeed use Lycoris squamigera as a cut flower. I sorta/kinda looked for the article published on Amaryllis as a cut flower. I couldn't find it. Or, I didn't have the energy to search. Yes. That's it. No energy. If I had to guess at vase life (which, of course, I am), I would say five days. When in reality, I should actually be saying, let me get back to you on that when I have more solid information, and not this great desire TO JUST GO TO BED ALREADY.

So, until my brain is less foggy, I should perhaps just leave this for another day.

Trish (Who pretty much has spent the entire day rambling.)

Lycoris squamigera is part of the Amaryllidaceae family, as you mentioned, so I looked up vase life of the common Amaryllis belladonna, and I found various listings of 7-10 days, 7-12 days and 8-14 days. It would be nice if I could get that out of the Lycoris too, but I kinda doubt they will last as long. The petals just seem frailer than Amaryllis. I guess I'll just have to try some in a vase and see what happens. I have lots of them buried around in perennial beds where they have been multiplying themselves with wild abandon.

I just have the common pink variety. The other varieties in Brent and Beckys catalog (chinensis, longituba, radiata) look pretty nice too but I don't want to get too carried away buying different varieties if they don't cut well. They sure do seem to like the climate here in Virginia though which is always a welcome quality! :) Now that I read more closely under the listing of Amaryllis belladonna I notice that it does say "in zone 7 it can overwinter with extra mulch that is pulled off in early spring." Maybe I should try some of the true Amaryllis after all here! :) It would be awesome if I could keep those in the ground and get them to multiply as rapidly as the Lycoris!

Let's see, maybe I could make a nice dedicated raised bed for them with soft well drained organic soil (instead of our local clay) and insulated bed walls and a nice mini single bed hoop tunnel to keep them cozy... ;) Come to think of it I guess I could do that for the Dahlias and the Ranunculus too instead of digging them up every year... :( It's a slippery slope isn't it!? It would probably be easier just to move from the Valley (Zone 7) out to the Piedmont (Zone 8) but then I suppose there would be a market glut of the Zone 8 flowers. I WILL NOT have zone envy, I WILL NOT have zone envy, I WILL NOT have zone envy.... ;(

I WILL NOT have zone envy, I WILL NOT have zone envy, I WILL NOT have zone envy.... ;( Since I am all about honesty and full disclosure today, and seriously wanting not to do the work on my desk, I must admit we do have zone envy because we are oh so tired of the snow and cloud cover. Oh, wait. That isn't what I meant to say. We seriously considered moving to Virginia. Yes, we did. But, as you so nicely pointed out there is a lot of competition in the specialty cut flower growing. But, why do you suppose there doesn't seem to be any cut flower growers at the Richmond Market? This I do not understand.

And, clay soil? You have clay soil? We have our share. We like it not at all.

I had Lycoris at my previous home and really liked it a lot. Yes, I did cut it and it lasted a few days but I never conditioned them so that may explain it. Mine also multiplied rapidly and I liked the fact that they had a nice scent.

Teresa

My regular florist loves Naked Ladies every year she asks me for them. I guess they have a wonderful scent and last a long time. I got some from a friend and planted them last spring. Unfortunately, our bizzare weather with a very late snow zapped them. Hopefully, this year if the weather in the A.M. starts to get in the 40's they'll come up. But then there's the constant rain. Anyhow, I would talk to some florist in your area they might pay top dollar for them.

I suspect the Naked Ladies you have are Amaryllis belladonna rather than Lycoris squamigera. They both share the same common name because the blossoms appear naked stems. I may have to try some Amaryllis belladonna even though they are not rated for my zone. I might be able to nurse them through the winter with some extra protection. Lycoris squamigera are much hardier (to zone 5) but apparently not so good for cuting. :(

I tried lycoris outside late year and had only one bloom out of a dozen plants, but it was an exceptionally cool summer and they were in poor soil under trees. The one I grew in a pot was gorgeous with other amaryllis for Thanksgiving. I would love to grow them if I thought I could get them to do better!

I have some growing just inches from my house foundation that I am going to have to move for a room addition. They are already about 4 inches tall. Do you think they will survive?