Amaryllis Bulbs
If you received Amaryllis bulbs for the holidays, you may be wondering how to care for it. I must say that these make an outstanding gift. The blooms can last for months and if you purchase one from a catalog or store, the container they come in is just as delightful as the bulb itself. Here are a few pointers about caring for your Amaryllis bulb from the North Dakota Extension Service. For the complete article please visit their website at North Dakota Extension Service for the complete article. Caring For Amaryllis BulbsWater thoroughly when the container soil is dry to the touch. Excessive moisture can cause bulb rot. As roots begin to develop and fill the container, the soil will dry more quickly and watering should be adjusted accordingly.In several weeks a flower bud will begin to emerge. The bud will usually, but not always, appear before the foliage. Once the growth of the bud and foliage has begun, rotate the container daily to prevent the plant from leaning toward the light. Plants will occasionally require staking to keep the flower stalk in an upright position. To do so, gently insert a stake into the soil using care not to injure the bulb. Then carefully tie the stalk to the stake. Stakes may also be inserted at planting time.If you'd like to prolong bloom, try the following method. When the flower bud begins to open, use tweezers to remove the yellow anthers inside the flower before they shed pollen. This may extend the flower bloom by several days. When the amaryllis is in full bloom the flowers will last longer if the plant is moved to a cooler room at night (55-65 degrees) and kept out of direct sunlight during the day. Large bulbs may send up two or three additional flower stalks.
After Flowers FadeRemove the flowers after they fade. The withered flower stalk can be removed with a sharp knife near the neck of the bulb. Do not cut off any foliage, because the leaves are needed for photosynthesis to replenish food reserves in the bulb. It is essential to keep the foliage growing vigorously, because after flowering, the bulb initiates flower buds for next year's bloomHow to Rebloom Your Amaryllis Bulbs
It can be challenging to coax an amaryllis to rebloom each year. It's easily accomplished if certain procedures are followed.The key to rebloom is found in the plant's native habitat. The amaryllis is a native of the tropics, a region receiving nine months of rainy weather and three months of dry weather. The plant grows lush leaves throughout the rainy season, but when the dry season approaches the plant enters a rest period or dormancy in which the leaves die down and the plant remains inactive. When the rainy season begins again, the plant produces a rapid flush of growth accompanied by a flower stalk. Therefore, the blooming time of the amaryllis is regulated by the moisture of the environment. After blooming in its native habitat, the plant continues to grow throughout the remainder of the moist season. During this period the plant is storing up energy and forming flower buds in the underground bulb for next year's bloom.Continue fertilizing twice each month. This outdoor growth period is critical. It is during this time that the amaryllis plant is storing up energy to produce flower buds inside the bulb for next year.In late summer before frost take the plant indoors and discontinue watering, but give it full light. Keep the pot in a cool (50-60°F) basement or upstairs room. The leaves will usually die down during this rest period which is like the dry season of the tropics. After the leaves die, the plant may be stored in the dark.In mid-winter repot the bulb into a pot no more than 2 inches larger than the bulb's diameter. (Amaryllis perform better if slightly pot bound.) Plant the bulb so that only the lower half or two-thirds of the bulb is covered with well-drained potting soil. Use caution to avoid unnecessarily disturbing roots. If a total repotting isn't needed, simply remove some soil at the top of the pot and add fresh soil leaving the bulb intact.In mid to late winter you're ready to bring the plant into regrowth. Place the plant in a sunny south window and water well. Healthy growth should soon begin with either leaves or the flower stalk beginning growth first.
If Your Amaryllis Bulbs Do Not BloomIf the amaryllis begins to produce foliage after the dormancy period, it isn't very likely to produce a bloom that season. If present, the flower bud is preformed and is the first thing to emerge from the bulb.If your amaryllis fails to bloom, keep it growing throughout spring and set it outdoors for the summer. Fertilize more frequently, and hope that it'll bloom next time around.Propagation of AmaryllisThe amaryllis can be propagated from offsets, known as bulblets, which develop during the growing season. These bulblets are attached to the base of the mother bulb. When the bulblets are one-fourth to one-third the size of the mother bulb, they should be separated by hand or with a sharp knife. Repot the mother bulb at the same time. Pot the new plants individually, and in three to four years they should flower.Propagating Your Amaryllis BulbsThe amaryllis bulbs can be propagated from offsets, known as bulblets, which develop during the growing season. These bulblets are attached to the base of the mother bulb. When the bulblets are one-fourth to one-third the size of the mother bulb, they should be separated by hand or with a sharp knife. Repot the mother bulb at the same time. Pot the new plants individually, and in three to four years they should flower.
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