This time of year, you see them nearly everywhere—even in the grocery stores: Amaryllis. So here’s what to do with them.
Amaryllis Kits – How To Start The Bulb Growing
If you get one of the cute little kits, the amaryllis bulb is already planted, and all you need to do is get it growing by giving it a drink of water. It’ll usually take 4 to 8 weeks for a flower to appear. If you’re giving it as a gift, provide them with the box and let them get it started and enjoy the whole process from the first shoot appearing to the flower opening.
How To Grow A Non-Kit Amaryllis Bulb
Personally, I prefer to go to a garden center where I can get a loose bulb and have LOTS more varieties to choose from. In that case, pot the bulb in a pot about 1 to 2 inches larger in diameter, with the top one-third of the bulb exposed. Keep in a very sunny spot. The flower stalks act as light meters and will grow toward the light. Full sun will keep the flower stalks shorter and sturdier.
When they finish blooming, do not disturb the leaves when you cut off the spent flower stalk. This would be the time to begin feeding your amaryllis, with an African violet food (it’s a blossom booster). Keep the pot of leaves watered and in a sunny window until the weather outdoors has warmed up, then move it outside for the summer (usually around the first to the middle of May here).
Choosing When You Want Your Bulb To Bloom
I don’t particularly want mine to bloom at Christmas—I want mine to bloom in January or February when I’m so sick of winter I could scream, so I put mine to sleep in mid-October, that way they bloom AFTER the holidays. To bloom over the holidays, put them to sleep in September.
Amaryllis Fun Facts
Now, just so you’ll know, technically amaryllis are NOT really amaryllis. They are members of a family called hippeastrum. They are related to amaryllis but the only true amaryllis is the amaryllis belladonna (native to South Africa, but it’s actually winter-hardy here). Hippeastrum are native to Central and South America. Both plants also have a dormancy period during which the leaves die back and the plant rests. For amaryllis, this typically occurs during the summer months, while hippeastrum usually goes dormant in the fall. After this dormancy period, new growth begins, ending in the gorgeous flower display for which both plants are known.
And one more interesting bit of trivia, hippeastrum (and other amaryllis family members) include daffodils! Enjoy!