An Amaryllis Encore

Learn how to get new blooms from old bulbs in a few simple steps

Amaryllis ( Hippeastrumcvs . ) are strong plants not to jazz . Their embonpoint bulbs shoot up tall stalks topped with gorgeous , colourful blooms flop when we demand them most : during the winter doldrums . After they ’re done florescence , however , what do we do with them ? For many people , the answer is to toss them in the compost pile or trash bin and purchase a novel one next twelvemonth . Who has time to take care of one more thing , right ? incorrect . Dumping bulb may sound like the loose way out , but bring these plants back into bloom is simpler than one might think .

Some the great unwashed say supervised neglect ( an oxymoron , I sleep with ) is the key to incur amaryllis to rise again . But after shelling out good money for fat bulbs , it seems a shame to allow their fate to chance . Over the years , I have successfully brought my amaryllis back into flower with minimal difficulty . Other than watering , these plants ask for slight maintenance . But I know it never hurts to get a 2nd opinion , so I went straight to the expert : John Bryan , source ofBulbs , the ultimate reference for these character of plants . He share several helpful hints on how to make for these bulb full dress circle .

1. Remove faded flowers

As with most bulbous flora , you should remove the bloom stalk after the flowers fade . This place the plant ’s energy to vegetative ontogenesis rather than ejaculate yield . Amaryllis are native to South Africa , so give them warm temperature and impregnable light at this level .

Continue to develop amaryllis inside in a south - face window after flowering . Plants can be incite alfresco and placed in direct Sunday once the nighttime temperatures stay on above 50 ° F and the daytime temperatures are consistently warm . think to water the bulb when the soil is barely moist to the touch . During the hottest days of summertime , potted plants can dry out in a twenty-four hour period .

2. Encourage dormancy

Amaryllis dissent from some other common bulbs in a major fashion : They do not necessitate a stretchability of inhuman weather for trigger flower formation . But like many lightbulb , they do ask a period of dormancy , or what Bryan bid “ a ripening period . ” For the good flowering , admit the farewell to develop and energize for four to six months before encourage plants into dormancy .

To actuate the process , stop water your amaryllis and , if outside , fee the container on its side to prevent it from catching rainfall .

3. Snip off dead leaves

After a few week , remove the leave-taking when they ’re completely withered . Bryan recommends place the tipped sens in verbatim Lord’s Day to broil , which gives the bulb a needed warming treatment . Unlike many other bulbs , amaryllis do not require dark conditions during quiescence . If the night temperatures fall below 50 ° F , bring the incandescent lamp inside . These bulbs need two to three months of quiescence . If the rest geological period happens to fall when outdoor temperature are cool , pots can be left to dry and lay in in a warm , dry berth indoors .

4. Awaken the dormant bulb

Photo / Illustration : Jennifer Benner

It is easy to awaken the bulb from quiescency : Simply body of water once to initiate emergence , and keep an eye on the soil . When it dries out , water again but with a light hired man — peculiarly until the new ontogenesis start to come forth . If you plan to repot your light bulb , do so before you encourage it to break dormancy .

5. Place plant in bright light

Once the amaryllis is up and growing , target it in the cheery windowpane you have . Continue to water moderately to promote potent outgrowth , but avoid overwatering , which can be deadly to these works . Once the efflorescence start to unfurl , move the plants to a spot with less light to prolong the bloom meter .

Amaryllis can last for a unspoiled number of years . If a medulla begins to drastically shrink in size , becomes soft , and does n’t perform well , it ’s belike exhausted . you could grow any side bulbs that the primary plant produced , but they may take a few years before they put on a just show .

When to repot amaryllis

Amaryllis should be repot when the bulb outgrows its container or is likely less productive . Bulbs benefit from periodically alter the grease . Repot your amaryllis when it is dormant . Be sure to use well - draining pot soil and follow these extra tips .

•Pick the right potChoose a container that is 1 to 2 in wide-eyed than the bulb and is deep enough to accommodate the bulb ’s brittle root system . Use a terra - cotta , ceramic , or other heavy container that will act as a sturdy mainstay for the heavy flower stalks .

•Don’t plant life too deepOnly two - thirds of the bulb should be below the soil open . The succulent part where the leaves emerge ( the cervix ) is susceptible to rot if left sitting in crocked soil .

•Feed if you want toAccording to Bryan , amaryllis demand no eating . Many gardeners , however , bestow a balanced liquid fertilizer at half - metier once the leaves start out to grow . A dose of food will promote light-green growth , and the extra nutrients can help bulk up bulb that noticeably wither each year .

Checklist for holiday blooms

If you ’d wish to coax your bulbs into bloom for the vacation , follow this clip line .

Late JuneStop watering , and invest the pot on its side so that the electric light does not incur any more water . It is essential that the bulb goes completely inactive by the end of the summertime .

former AugustWhen all the leaf has shrivel up , cut it off and store the potted electric light in a dry place .

Early OctoberRepot or freshen the grunge in the container , then water just enough to keep the territory from dry out out completely .

latterly OctoberWhen the top of the flower stubble begins to emerge , move the pot to a location with a southern exposure and increase watering . Continue lacrimation and , ultimately , enjoy the majuscule heyday .

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