Amaryllis

An Amaryllis is one of the easiest Christmas plants to grow as well as to save from year to year. Only a few simple procedures are needed.

Growing a New Amaryllis

Planting Soil and Depth
Plant an amaryllis in any good potting soil; however, only plant the bulb halfway. In other words, the top half of the bulb is exposed.

Watering
Water at planting time and do not water again until you see green growth. If you water too much before you see growth, the roots will rot and growth will be delayed or aborted. Once growth has started, water when the top of the soil is dry to the touch. Once to twice a week as necessary, depending on the warmth of the home.

Flowering
The flower stalk often appears before the leaves, but not always. If only leaves appear, be patient. On occasion you will find a stubborn amaryllis that will not flower until summer time, though this is rare. At Christmas time, an amaryllis will flower about six weeks after planting. When the petals have faded remove the top of the flower stalk; after the stalk has turned yellow, cut it off.
Saving an Amaryllis

Treat It As A Houseplant
After the flower is gone, treat the plant as you would any houseplant until summer. (Water weekly and begin weekly fertilizing in March.)

As soon as all danger of frost is past, set the plant outside on the east side of the house or where it can get morning sun and afternoon shade. You may leave it in its pot or plant it in the ground. While outside, water it 3 to 4 times per week, with one of those waterings containing fertilizer such as Fertilome Gardener's Special soluble plant food. (In the ground, it needs less watering than if it is above ground in a pot.)

Before frost comes in the fall, (sometime in September) bring the amaryllis into the house and set it in the basement. Lay the plant on its side with all foliage intact. Discontinue watering. Once the foliage has dried it may be removed. Allow the plant to rest for 8 or more weeks. After the rest period, bring the plant out to begin growing again. Start it as you would any new amaryllis. (You may repot at this time if the bulb looks too big for the pot, or if you had it in the ground.)

Flowering after the first year
An amaryllis often does not reflower the first year that you save it. However, after this first year, the bulb will flower every year, usually with an increase in the number of stalks and/ or flowers. Usually, one large bulb that is kept for four or more years produces up to three flower stalks with four large blossoms on each stalk.

Developing Bulblets
Often an older bulb will send off shoots from the base. These may be removed unless you want to multiply your plants. If so, leave the bulblets on for a couple of years. After that, they may be pulled off and planted on their own for their flowering enjoyment. They can actually be pulled off sooner, but doing so slows down their maturity.

Few plants are as effortless in their care, last for years, and produce magnificent blossoms. These directions might sound complicated but all you really need to do is:

• Treat it as a houseplant
• Set outside in May
• Bring inside in September
• Give it 8-week rest period
• Treat it as a houseplant.