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How to Grow An Amaryllis... It's not just a Christmas flower
Hippeastrum
October 10, 1999
Nothing can break the gloom, like a bloom in the
dead of winter.
Of all of the flowering bulbs, the Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) is the easiest
to force into bloom. The large, (up to six inch blooms) showy flowers,
and ease with which they can be grown in the home make the Amaryllis extremely
popular as a gift plant during the holiday seasons. The Amaryllis comes in
many beautiful varieties including shades of red, white, pink, salmon and
orange. There are also many multicolored varieties, combining shades of pink
or red with white.
The Amaryllis is a tender bulb which originated in the Andes mountains of
South America. Therefore, unfortunately, it can only be grown outdoors,
year round in USDA zones 9-11. In other zones,
the potted plants may be moved outdoors after the danger of frost has passed
but must be brought back indoors in September.
Amaryllis may be purchased as individually packaged or bulk bulbs, but more
often are sold in a pre-potted condition. The pre-planted Amaryllis gift boxes
normally take no more initial effort than simply watering them with room temperature
water to bring them into growth. Avoid getting water on the nose of the bulb.
Keep the potting medium moist, but not wet. Don't over-water! The plant
should be kept in a brightly lighted area at about 70-75 degrees f. After
the plant begins to grow, feeding is essential. Either use a complete slow-
release fertilizer which lasts several months,
or a water soluble fertilizer twice a month. Once the plant is flowering,
keep it out of direct sunlight, and slightly cooler to promote a longer flower
life. After all flowers fade, cut them off at the top of the stalk. When the
stalk begins to sag, carefully cut it off just above the bulb nose. Continue
to water and fertilize as normal, until the leaves begin to yellow. At this
time, cut the leaves back to about 2 inches from the top of the bulb and remove
it from the pot. Keep the bulb in a cool (40-50 degree f), dark place
for a minimum of 6-8 weeks.
Plant bulbs 8 weeks before you would like them to bloom.
Any time after that, you may repot the bulb, and begin the process over again.
Bulbs may be planted at two week intervals, from September through February
to ensure non-stop winter bloom, until May.
Plant in a well-drained, sterile potting medium, using a standard 6-inch diameter
pot. Be sure that the pot has adequate drainage holes. Plant the bulb,
with about one-third being above the rim of the pot. Press the soil down firmly
to set the bulb securely in place. Water thoroughly, and your plant will begin
anew.
Bulbs which are older than two years will produce offset bulblets.
These bulblets may be left attached to the mother and repotted that way, creating
quite a show. Preferably, the bulblets are carefully removed from the
mother bulb (immediately before it is replanted), and planted in their
own individual pots. These little bulbs will take two years of growth before
they will produce their first flower.
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