Amaryllis Plant Question,

Hello

We were given a bulb a couple of years ago and it never had a flower. A couple of weeks ago it started to bloom? Last I recall it supposed to bloom around Christmas? Any how it has a double flower on one stem, and another stem is coming out,

Guido.

Hi, when your amaryllis is finished blooming and starts to dry out, don't water it any more. Cut the foliage off a few inches above the bulb and put the bulb with pot in a dark place. (I put mine under the kitchen sink near the back). About mid November you will see new growth coming. Then bring it out and water it and give it fertilizer with more phosphorus and potassium. It will bloom around Christmas time. Don't let bulb freeze. The repeat. Ed Will Oliver BC

Hello ed will,

We had it out all summer and brought it in before the frost. I will do what you said, as I would like it if it flowered in December. Will probably get more flowers with the other bulb?

Guido.

I brought one back from the Netherlands years ago and it was beautiful in bloom.
I think I will try to find another bulb to grow one again. Thanks for the photo.

Hi Guido, that bulb likes to have a dormant period. So if it goes outside it doesn't really get it. After it blooms just water it only 1 or 2 times lightly then let the foliage die back. Ed Will Oliver BC

Hello Ed will,

Another picture for you,

GUIDO.

Hello Ed will,

Ha! Now I know....later

GUIDO.

Hello Hay hay hay,

You likes the first picture so....Here is a close up for you,

GUIDO.

I have 5 bulbs that I have taken care of for 4 years. They get progressively fatter each year and I put each in larger pots 2 years ago. Will need to do that again as they are filling up their pots with their largeness again. They bloom in mid-winter. When they loose their blooms, I leave them in the same sunny place where I water them until I can sink the pots outdoors in mid May, after the last frost. I am in mid Michigan. Then I water them and fertilize them all summer just like my tomatoes while they are growing outdoors and are storing energy in the bulbs. Then, before the first frost, usually in mid to late October, I pull the pots up and put them in the basement. They loose their leaves, they don't get watered and they are in the dark. Then, around mid December I bring them upstairs, put them in their sunny window and begin to water them. They bloom and the whole ritual repeats. This year 2 bulbs have 2 flower stalks and 3 bulbs have 3 flower stalks. Very pretty.

I posted this a few weeks ago but will post again.

For the Amaryllis. Once it has finished flowering (about 7 to 10 weeks long) and the stem sags over cut the flower stem off at the top of the bulb. Continue watering and fertilize all summer (at least 5 or 6 months) allowing the leaves to fully grow and replenish the bulb. When the leaves turn yellow cut them back to 2 inches long. Dig the bulb up and clean it off leavening the roots. Store it in the refrigerator crisper draw (40 to 50 degrees) for AT LEAST 6 weeks.

CAUTION... Do not store the bulb any where around a apple. You put a Amaryllis and a apple in the same fridge and it will sterilize the Amaryllis.

About 8 weeks before you want it to flower and after you have stored the bulb for at least 6 weeks in the fridge take it out the fridge and prepare it for planting. The flowers last longer in winter than spring so try to plant it on the fall schedule it is on now.

Take the cold bulb and place the bottom of the bulb and roots in lukewarm water for a few hours to warm it up.
Plant the bulb to its neck leavening the stem sticking out. Firm the soil but be careful not to damage the roots.
Place the pot in direct sun light as heat is needed to develop the plant. A window sill or porch about 70 degrees will do.
Water sparingly till it starts to grow and then increase water.

You have now come full cycle. You can do it over and over each year.