Apples In Same Fridge As Amaryllis Bulbs Makes Bulbs Sterile?

[phuketjock]

Yes you did read correctly.

My wife was recently gifted some Amaryllis bulbs and of course she

asked me what they were called and to make sure that I gave her the

correct spelling I checked on line and got involved in reading the info

on the web\site I had stumbled upon. Apparently to bring the bulbs on

again after flowering you can put them in the fridge for sometime and it

will help them to flower again quicker. But be warned if you put them

in the same fridge as your apples they will sterilise your bulbs. My father

was a keen gardener and I have some knowledge gained from him but

I have no idea how this could be true. Anyone have any clues on this???

http://www.amaryllis.com/pac.htm

[NeverSure]

Actually, bulbs like amaryllis, daffodils, etc. have the complete flower already in them. They need the cold dormant period. After they bloom, they have a period of time before the leaves wilt, sending the nutrients back into the bulb. At this time the new flower develops.

Ripening fruits of many varieties, including apples, produce ethylene gas which will damage those flowers in the bulbs.

Edit: It could be that the bulbs are intended for a one-shot use. Remembering that the flower and all nutrients necessary to grow it are already in the bulb, (if it's a healthy, mature bulb) then all it needs is something like sand and water, and to be buried about 1/2 way into that damp sand or loose soil. It needs some light. Then it will come out of dormancy, put on the show for you, and die. It will die because it can't find the nutrients to recharge itself and it doesn't have a cold period ahead for dormancy.

Many, many companies produce bulbs just for this purpose. It isn't uncommon to see some green beginning to sprout from the top of the bulb and if you do, it is coming out of dormancy and needs to grow.

Edited January 23, 2013 by NeverSure

[kjun12]

Short answer: Yes. It is referred to as "blinging" the bulb.