This is the time of year when I like to start some Amaryllis bulbs, so I'll be able to enjoy the flowers when winter days are at their shortest and living flowers outside are still months away.
Amaryllis is a member of the larger “Amaryllidaceae” family that includes clivia and nerine, popular bulbs grown in summer flowerbeds. Another unexpected member of the Amaryllis clan is the agave. Native to Mexico, the agave is famous for its use in the production of tequila. Your “Hippaestrum vittatum” hybrid Amaryllis is descended from plants that grow naturally in Peru.
Amaryllis flowers range in color from pure white to wine red and every variation in between. Banded, striped and bordered varieties 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 feet above the top of the bulb and produce flowers 7 inches 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! You’ll find Amaryllis “growing kits” that are commonly available in big box stores. In it you'll get an Amaryllis bulb, a puck of what appears to be compressed peat moss and a plastic pot. Oh yes, you also get a box with a pretty picture on it. The box is the best part of this kit.
At a real garden center, you’ll find much larger Amaryllis bulbs…about five times larger than the “kit” bulb! Naturally, they cost a bit more than the kit Amaryllis, but rather than a stem or two with a couple of flowers each, the larger bulb will produce several stems each with 3-5 flowers each. Once the flowers from the larger bulb starts, you'll get flowers for at least a couple of months...it will be finishing just as spring is arriving! Well worth the extra expense.
When you're ready to pot your Amaryllis bulb, inspect the bottom and clip off 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. Then water until water comes out the bottom of the pot. This thorough drenching settles the soil in around the roots and removes any air pockets from the soil. More important, it wakes up the bulb and lets it know that the dry season is over and its growing season has begun at last!
Place your potted Amaryllis in a warm spot. On top of the refrigerator works for me...it is always warm in the kitchen. There's no need to 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.
What about next year? 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 like Jack's Classic at half strength about every two or three weeks. Wait until the flowering cycle has finished before you start feeding. The best way to strengthen your Amaryllis is to sink the pot in a semi-shady flowerbed outdoors when things warm up next summer. Sink the pot into the soil so that the exposed part of the bulb is almost covered. Before frost, bring your Amaryllis inside and allow it to dry out completely. Keep dry and store at 60-65 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 pot bound, so leave it in the same size pot for two or three years. Thanks for the read.
