The striking blooms bring a touch of the tropics to brighten the dark days of winter.
The first step to selecting an amaryllis bulb is deciding what variety you want to grow.
Dutch breeders have spent centuries hybridizing Amaryllis in developing the flower we know and love.
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Look for firm, dry bulbs with no signs of mold or decay.
Larger bulbs as a rule produce more stalks and blooms.
Amaryllis bulbs are commonly sold as kits along with a decorative container, potting medium, and growing instructions.
Once planted, amaryllis bulbs bloom in 8 to 10 weeks.
Time bulb planting according to when you want the flowers to bein full bloom.
For flowers during the Christmas season, start bulbs just after Halloween.
For Valentines blooms, plant around New Years Day.
How To Plant an Amaryllis Bulb
Amaryllis bulbs bloom best when they are crowded in their pots.
Fill the pot halfway with fresh potting soil high in organic matter and tamp the soil down.
The top third of the bulb should be exposed.Once they bloom, amaryllis can become top-heavy and fall over.
Placing the stake now will help you avoid damaging the roots or bulb later.
Then place the pot on a drainage tray and set in a warm, sunny location.
Then allow all the extra water to drain out the drainage holes.
A thick flower stalk will shoot up within a few weeks of planting.
Flat leaves will fold open as the flower stalk matures.
Turn the pot every few days once the stalk emerges to provide uniform light exposure on all sides.
This encourages the stalk to grow straight.
Once the flowers open, move the container away from direct light and other sources of heat.
Amaryllis blooms will last longer if kept in a cooler location.Those massive blooms require a lot of energy.
Amaryllis After-bloom Care
Amaryllis are long-lived plants and can be kept to bloom year after year.
This allows plants to replenish energy stores in the bulb.
Place the plant in a bright sunny window and continue to water and fertilize regularly.
Some gardeners like to bury the amaryllispot and allin the garden for easier watering.
Be sure to bring the plant back indoors in the fall before the first frost.
Forcing Amaryllis Bulbs To Rebloom
Amaryllis plants naturally bloom in the spring, not the winter.
The process of getting plants to bloom out of season is called forcing.
Plants will bloom in six to eight weeks.
