Amaryllis (Hippeastrum ×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.
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