by Jude Hsiang
We are in the week of Jack O’ Lanterns, and folks are dressing and decorating with orange, black, purple, and acid green. In two months our color scheme may be reds, whites, and greens. If we plan now, we can have some exciting flowers to brighten the house for the holidays and beyond.
Amaryllis are large bulbs that produce dramatic flower stalks towering up to two feet tall. The bulbs are often available already potted, so growing these plants is easy. Look for large bulbs, which may be five inches in diameter. If the bulb isn’t already potted, choose a pot that is about twice the size of the bulb. Place the bulb in enough soil-less potting mix to allow about a third of the bulb to be above the surface but sitting low enough so that the pot won’t overflow when you water it. Place it in a sunny window and water well to settle the bulb and encourage the roots to become active. Keep the potting mix moist but don’t let it get soggy. If the top two inches of mix are dry, it’s time to water.
The large, strong leaves and stalks will emerge, then the flower buds. When you see the buds, move the plant to a spot that’s a little cooler and out of direct sunlight. This allows the amaryllis to still receive light for photosynthesis and will also make the flowers last longer.
Those huge, trumpet-like flowers come in reds, pinks, and white. Some are a blend of shades, and some are “double” having more petals. The plant will provide a long-lasting display as several large flowers bloom one after the other. As the flowers fade, clip them off to prevent them forming seeds, because you can keep an amaryllis bulb alive to bloom again and again for years.
The leaves and stalk should be left to provide energy to the bulb until they yellow (just as with daffodils). Then you can remove them and put the plant back in a sunny window. Continue to water it regularly and give it a monthly feed of a houseplant fertilizer according to the directions on the package. After the danger of frost, the amaryllis can spend the summer outdoors. Place it in a spot with filtered sun and gradually move it to an area that gets at least 6 hours of sun a day. Continue to feed and water until there is a threat of frost.
Amaryllis need to be set in a cool, dark place for a dormant period of eight to 12 weeks to rest before blooming again. Cut off the leaves as they yellow and don’t water the plant. Check it occasionally and if you see new growth move it to a sunny window. If it hasn’t begun to regrow in three months, you can force it by watering thoroughly and keeping it in a sunny window. Start the regular feeding and watering the plant again and flowers should appear in a few weeks. It’s fun to experience these large vibrant flowers blooming again at the darkest time of the year.
Sometimes waxed amaryllis bulbs are sold with a wire inserted to form a base at the bottom of the bulb so they can grow without being potted or watered. The wax covering may be red or green. It’s like having a china figurine on the shelf that suddenly produces extravagant flowers. People typically throw out waxed bulb when the flowering is over, but you can scrape off the wax, remove the wire base, and treat the bulb like a normal amaryllis. Worth a try? Maybe, but the “old fashioned” way of keeping the bulbs is probably more likely to succeed and provides a lot of pizzazz for a little care.
© Judith Chute Hsiang
Jude Hsiang is a retired Extension Master Gardener instructor and member of the China Community Garden.
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