Amaryllis make an unforgettable Christmas gift or an amazing decoration for your home. Following are a few basic steps that will reward you with a fantastic show.
- Choose a pot approximately 2 inches larger in diameter than the bulb and several inches deep. The bulb relies on adequate water and nutrients, so soil mix is important. We recommend an airy soil mix like our Wenke Blend. This will allow appropriate water drainage.
- Place your bulb in the soil with the neck exposed. Firm the soil but do not pack it too tight.
- Make sure the soil is thoroughly moistened with lukewarm water. After the initial moistening, you won’t need to water for about 2 weeks. Then you may begin watering regularly keeping the soil moist but not soggy.
- Place your newly potted amaryllis in a warm, shaded place for the first two weeks. Uniform night temperatures will give the best and fastest response. You should begin to see the flower bud emerging after two weeks.
- After the bud starts, move the plant to a brighter area but not in direct sunlight. Continue to water as needed. Cooler temperatures will help the flower bud begin to open and extend the life of the bloom. Cut the faded blooms just above the bulb.
- Please note: amaryllis are toxic to cats and dogs. Ingestion of leaves could cause severe illness.
After flowering, your amaryllis can be kept growing indoors. Water as needed and fertilize ever 2-3 weeks. In spring, you can set the pot outdoors or slip the bulbs with roots intact into the garden. If you plant in the ground, soil must be well-draining. Outdoors, amaryllis like strong light but prefer to be protected from the heat of the afternoon sun. Water and feed the bulb every 3 weeks in the summer.
Encouraging a new bloom cycle for the holiday season:
- If you want your amaryllis to bloom again during the holiday season, you will need to bring it in by August 1.
- Cut foliage back just above the neck of the bulb to encourage dormancy.
- Keep as much of the root system intact as possible. If it still in its original pot and needs to be transplanted, try not to disturb the original soil.
- Move to the coolest, darkest, driest place in the house. A basement or closet would be best.
- Do not water for three months.
- At Halloween, you can begin the above process again. Enjoy!
