A new race of hybrid amaryllis has come upon the American scene.
Named for its originator, it is called the Buller strain, after the late Arthur C. Buller (1874-1959) of South Africa.
Story Of Amaryllis Hybrids
The flowers, distinguished for large size and beautiful colors, received their first public viewing this spring in April at the Atlanta Spring Flower Show.
This coincided with the National Council of State Garden Clubs convention, attended by 3,000 delegates from 50 states.
The story of amaryllis hybrids in the United States is long, but little has been added since World War II when all American amaryllis breeders ceased to function—and they did not resume activity right after the war.
Even now, no breeders are far enough along to send blooms in sufficient numbers to exhibit at flower shows.
Buller’s Hybridizing Program
In the last 10 years, the source of supply of hybrid amaryllis bulbs has been from Holland growers, but these are greenhouse produced and subjected to artificial treatment for early forcing.
The Buller hybrids result from 50 years of breeding, starting at the turn of the century.
Buller’s hybridizing program had access to such famous collections as Rothschild’s of England, for he exchanged specimens with this plant connoisseur.
Vegetative Propagation
Buller kept fewer than six of a thousand seedlings that bloomed for him for further vegetative propagation. This illustrates the way he continued to upgrade his private collection.
He worked with amaryllis for his own pleasure, not for profit, and never during his lifetime did he sell any bulbs, despite extravagant offers from some European dealers and growers.
He gave the income he gathered from showing or the admission fee to his garden to various charities.
Buller Hybrid Strain
The bulb stock has been built up in this country since his death until this year limited number are being offered to amaryllis fans and the trade.
The Buller hybrid strain is produced in the field, not greenhouses, and is notably hardy and free flowering.
In mild climates from Florida to California, they are recommended for planting in gardens.
Best-Known Amaryllis Breeder
Elsewhere they may be handled as permanent potted plants, like other amaryllis strains, coming into bloom about 4 to 6 weeks after potting.
Hamilton P. Traub paid a fine compliment to this new breed in his authoritative “Amaryllis Manual” (1958): “In South Africa, the best-known amaryllis breeder is Arthur C. Buller, Stellenbosch, Cape Province, who has bred an excellent large flowering strain.
Mr. Buller has devoted almost 50 years of hobby enjoyment to this project, and his hybrids rank among the world’s best.”
44659 by Gerard E. De Vries