Question
Is it possible to grow hippeastrums from seed and if so how is it done.Thank you

Answer
Hi Wendy,
Thanx for your question.  The seed must be very fresh.  I have hand pollinated my blooms before because it is winter when they bloom so no natural pollinators are around indoors.  You can use a small paint brush but be careful not to use the same brush on different flowers if you're trying to maintain some kind of purity although most plants are hybrids and the seedlings won't come true anyway, so it will be a surprise what your get.  The method I use which is easy is to float the seed on some clean, cool, not cold water.  The indoor temps should be about 75 F and the water about the same.  After a few weeks you should see small white threads (roots) coming out of the flat, dark seeds.  As soon as the root is about an inch long carefully remove the seed from the water and place it on top of some good, moist, not soggy, potting soil.  Barely cover the seedling.  It will take a few weeks for green growth to occur.  AFter the seedling is about 2 inches tall, prick it carefully out of the growing medium and plant it in its own pot.  It takes 3-5 years to get a bloom.  I hope this helps.
Tom