You just might be giving or receiving an Amaryllis bulb as a gift during the holidays. If so, lucky you!
This is the time of year to start Amaryllis bulbs for flowers to enjoy when winter days are at their shortest and living flowers outside are still months away. Nothing brightens up a winter home like giant Amaryllis flowers.
Amaryllis flowers range in color from pure white to wine red and every variation in between. Banded, striped and bordered have been developed, transforming an already striking plant into an extraordinary specimen indeed! It isn’t uncommon for the flower spike to rise 2 1/2’ above the top of the bulb and produce flowers 7” across...a real show stopper!!
If you’re thinking of purchasing one for someone (or for yourself), be aware that Amaryllis bulbs offered can vary greatly in size....and size does make a difference! The bigger the bulb, the more flowers you get.
When you’re ready to plant your Amaryllis bulb, inspect the bottom and remove any dead roots. Dead roots will be withered and dry. The pot you choose should seem too small for the bulb. It should only be an inch or two wider than the widest part of the bulb. Plant so that 1/2 to 1/3 of the bulb is exposed above the soil and water thoroughly.
Place your potted Amaryllis in a warm spot (on top of the refrigerator works for me). Don’t water it again until you notice the flower stem starting to emerge from the top of the bulb. This will take some time, so be patient. When a shoot emerges it’s time to move your Amaryllis to a bright location. Keep the soil lightly moist (not soggy wet). The flower spike will grow very quickly with noticeable growth each day.
When the huge flowers open, you may want to move your Amaryllis to a cooler location (as low as 50 degrees) to prolong the show of flowers.
After the flowers are spent, cut off the flower stem. By now leaves have probably started to emerge from the bulb. To get your Amaryllis to flower again, it’s important to promote this leaf growth. Think of the leaves as solar collectors that convert sunlight into energy that’s stored in the bulb for the next flowering cycle. Bright light (but not direct sun) is the source of next year’s flowers. Keep the soil lightly moist and feed with a soluble plant food at half strength about every two or three weeks. The best way to strengthen your Amaryllis is to sink the pot in a semi-shady flowerbed outside when things warm up in mid-May. Sink the pot into the soil so that the exposed part of the bulb is almost covered. In fall before frost, bring your Amaryllis inside and allow it to dry out completely. Keep dry and store at 60 to 65 degrees for at least a month. This dry storage period is necessary to stimulate your Amaryllis to begin its next growth cycle. Remember, Amaryllis like to be potbound, so leave it in the same size pot for two or three years.
Thanks for the read!
