When the leaves begin to yellow, which normally occurs in the early fall, cut the leaves back to about 2 inches from the top of the bulb and remove the bulb from the soil.Bulb Storage. But even if you live in a cold climate like I … When all danger of frost is past in spring, acclimate the amaryllis plant to the outdoors by first placing it in shade or indirect light. In order to bloom, amaryllis bulbs must be exposed to temperatures of 50 to 55 degree F for a minimum of 8 to 10 weeks. A great sample of our bulbs. Whether the first bulb or the fiftieth, there is high anticipation for the plant owner when the large, bright green bud emerges from a beefy amaryllis bulb! To propagate them, gently tease apart the roots until they easily pull apart from each other. Continue to fertilize monthly with an all-purpose houseplant or indoor plant fertilizer. Mealybugs look like white cotton on the leaves and stems. Choose bulbs with bright green new growth and without spots or visible damage. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Set up your planting schedule between October and April with this in mind. Clean the bulb and place it in a cool (40-50 deg. However, it is possible to save the amaryllis and force it to flower on an annual basis. Once they begin, the flower stems grow very fast and it can be difficult to keep them growing straight. Amaryllis needs a rich, soft soil in which to grow outdoors. To promote blooming, use a houseplant fertilizer with a high phosphorus content. Old amaryllis bulbs. However, this disease is not usually fatal to the plant. Harden or acclimate the plant to the outdoors by initially placing it in a shady, protected area. After the flowers have faded, cut them off to prevent seed formation. Some individuals discard the amaryllis after flowering. And the bulb needs a period of dormancy in the fall in order to flower. Harden or acclimate the plant to the outdoors by initially placing it in a shady, protected area. Space plants 12-15 inches (30-38 cm.) They don’t require much and are fairly tolerant of neglect once established. The bulb should sit up above the edge of the container. Read on to learn more about growing amaryllis in gardens. Allow to drain completely. Amaryllis bulbs can be planted outdoors between September and January in Florida. Some bulbs may have an offshoot growing from its base. F. Set the pot on a saucer and place in a sunny window. If new growth appears during this time, remove the potted bulb from the dark location and place in a sunny window. Plant the bulb, or place the potted bulb in a warm place with direct light since heat is necessary for the development of the stems. Below I will answer some of the most common questions I get about amaryllis plant care. Good drainage will minimize the chance of bulb or root rot (rotting from excess moisture). That’s why they are one of my top picks for the best flowering houseplants. Do not water during this time. Keep in mind that the bulbs need to be mature in order to bloom. It’s been planted in multi purpose compost for 3 weeks but no sign of any growth. If the bulb does not produce a flowering stalk the next blooming period, it is likely that has not stored enough nutrients during the post-blooming period. Yes, amaryllis plants can be grown from seed! If you want to give it a try, you can get the full tutorial for how to grow amaryllis in water here. Rather than watering them on a schedule, you should only water them when they need it. Of all flowering bulbs, amaryllis are the easiest to bring to bloom. For leggy flowers, use an amaryllis stake to support the stems so they don’t fall over. The amaryllis comes in many beautiful varieties including various shades of red, white, pink, salmon and orange. Select the largest bulbs available for the desired plant variety as they will produce more stalks and blooms the first year. layer of mulch around your plants will not only help conserve moisture and reduce weed growth, but will offer them added protection once cooler temps arrive. The best time to repot them is after they have gone through a dormant period. 2150 Beardshear Hall I find it much easier to put mine outside for the summer, but you can certainly keep them growing inside your home all year long. In heavy shade, they will be less vigorous and will flower poorly. apart. You may also want to use a clay or ceramic pot to keep the heavy flowers from toppling the plant. You can also pot up a few in September for forcing for indoor winter bloom. Consistent overwatering will cause amaryllis bulb rot, which will ultimately kill the plant. A few of my favorite varieties are ‘Apple Blossom’, ‘Clown’, ‘Splash’, and ‘Christmas gift’. Amaryllis may be purchased as bare or planted bulbs, and are prized for their exotic trumpet-shaped flowers born on 1 to 2 foot leafless stalks or scapes. If the disease persists, the bulbs may be treated with a systemic fungicide. Plant bulbs in a clean container with sterile, new potting soil. “Fertilize with a low nitrogen fertilizer 5-10-10 or 6-12-12, 1 1/2 lbs. Continue feeding amaryllis through the summer, and stop about a month before dormancy. Move the plant out of direct sunlight when the flower buds have begun to open. Remember, if you cannot plant the bulbs immediately after receiving them, store them at a cool temperature between 40-50 degrees F. Plant bulbs in a nutritious potting compost, many are available pre-mixed. My question is, should I take it out of the soil and put it in dry soil and see if it does ok? I took My plant out of soil about 3 weeks ago after growing in the garden all summer The leaves have died off but I cut the root off to about 1 and 1 1/2 inches I hope I didn’t damage it. Yes! I will start with the most common question that people have about growing an amaryllis… how to take care of amaryllis bulbs after flowering, and get them to bloom again. Dividing amaryllis bulbs is the easiest and most common method of propagation. Here’s what you’ll find in this detailed amaryllis care guide…. Cut the old flowers from the stem after flowering, and when the stem starts to sag, cut it back to the top of the bulb.Leaf Growth and Development. It can survive the winter cold if left outdoors in most years but the bulb will be frozen if temperatures get really low. Amaryllis appreciate at least one feeding upon emergence in early spring. When all danger of frost is past in spring, acclimate the amaryllis plant to the outdoors by first placing it in shade or indirect light. Fertilize every 2 to 4 weeks with a water-soluble houseplant fertilizer. I’ll answer it as soon as I can. What are we doing wrong? In this example, the fertilizer contains 10 percent nitrogen, 20 percent phosphorous, and 15 percent potassium. Today, most amaryllis are hybrids but are still classified in the genus Hippeastrum. I’m a passionate gardener who loves growing everything from vegetables, herbs, and flowers to succulents, tropicals, and houseplants - you name, I've grown it! However, amaryllis care indoors is a bit different than growing them outside. Browse and purchase gardening books by Walter Reeves, plus select titles by other authors. Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. Amaryllis plants bloom best when they grow in a container with little extra space (potbound). Most will survive in zones 9 and above, but there are a few hardy garden amaryllis varieties that can be grown down to zone 7. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll find that taking care of amaryllis plants is pretty easy. Fertilizer packaging always provides an analysis shown in three numbers such as 10-20-15. Then grow your amaryllis as a houseplant, giving it plenty of light, and fertilize it regularly. It’s true they are not hardy outdoors in Northern climes, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be treated like dahlias or gladiolas – grown outside during the summer months then lifted come September… Please help us on how to care for them. They will bloom again if allowed to continue to grow. Grab a print version of our catalog instantly or add your name to our mailing list. 2020 However any time after frost in the Spring works well. What do you do with an amaryllis after it has bloomed? Good luck! Set the bulb in the pot so the roots rest on the potting soil. After 2 or 3 days, gradually expose the amaryllis to longer periods of direct sun. Thanks! The exterior of the bulb may appear normal, but will reveal rotting tissue when pressed. I’ve had most success growing them in a spot that gets sunshine from morning to early afternoon, with shade thereafter. Planting Period: October until the end of April. They are a very popular holiday gift plant that’s fun to grow. That is so exciting! Subscribe to get special offers, free giveaways, and once-in-a-lifetime deals.