I have a very old, very mature Hippeastrum puniceum plant in a pot made up of large bulbs. It has never gone dormant and has bloomed like mad in the past (see photo). I would now like to dismantle this plant and put the bulbs in my suitcase to fly across the country I am leaving in less than a week and the foliage is green and healthy. A few questions:

Will the bulbs be okay if I cut the green foliage back when I take out the bulbs as I won't have time to let it die back naturally? And should I cut the roots off at the base and what would be the best way to transport them in my suitcase? Finally, when I replant them is any potting soil good?

Thanks!

That's a beautiful plant. To transport; You can cut the leaves down to about 2-3" of the soil, knock the dirt off of the roots, but don't cut the roots off, and wrap the bulb like a package. Several sheets of newspaper would make the best wrap.I would wait until the day before you travel to cut it back, and get it back in soil as soon as possible. You can also try moving it with the leaves still attached, but that will make a longer package. Use a good potting soil. Water into the new soil (ensures that all the roots make good contact with the soil) then don't overwater until you see new leaves appear. It should recover in a few weeks, but the stress of the move will probably push back blooming for a year or two. I've moved bulbs that were actively growing, and they have done fine. Good luck.

That is helpful and hopeful! Thank you so much!! The bulbs were first found in my grandparents' basement many many years ago and now have been spread far and wide to family and friends.I don't want to lose it!

I've read this thread and I want to see if I need to move my amarylis differently. Moving from Colorado to Texas with movers and this is the only plant in taking. She is 100 years old and very mature. I figured I'd need to cut off the green about 2" from the base, then pack the bulbs in a bag with newspaper first and store in a strong box. However, my belongings are going unto storage for up to 60 days. Should I keep her with me in a cool dark place? Or would she survive storage in hot Texas for a couple of months. She was my Great grandmothers so i need to keep her safe. What are your thoughts?

Could you not keep it in a container and keep it with you as you travel until you are at your permanent residence?

I think you are taking a risk cutting off the leaves and storing it in newspaper for 2 months, esp. in a hot place. There's a good chance that it will rot, since the bulb has so much moisture in it. Isn't there anyway you can get it back into soil quickly if you have to dig it up, or move the pot. The previous posting was from someone who was going to replant it quickly after a move. The problem isn't cutting off the leaves and moving it, the problem is the storage for so long. I wish you luck, since that is such a special plant.

If the bulb was dormant and was going to be in cool storage then I would say OK, but I think that long in a hot place will surely kill it. You would be better off cutting the leaves back, brushing off the soil, putting it into a paper bag or small cardboard box and taking it with you. If you cannot carry it with you, you might just mail it to your new address. Or give the plant to a friend with instructions on how to UPS it to you at a later date. There is probably too much family history in it for you to take a risk.

I never considered having someone mail it, or send it UPS to me. Excellent idea.

I am about to dig up some H.Johnsonii bulbs that mean a lot to me because of who they came from. I plan to pot them up right away. Our home is on the market and I want them out of the ground before it sells. They have been in the ground for 20 years and I know they will not be happy but hopefully some will survive.

They may skip a year blooming, but will probably be fine. Just treat them gently so not to bruise them, and give them some water, but don't let them get soggy. A little dry would be better than too wet. I would use new or sterilized soil when you pot them, just to be safe.