Amaryllis bulbs can be picked up in just about any store these days to bloom around Christmas.
Most people dont know you’re free to keep your bulb blooming for years.
It is common to find Amaryllis bulbs for sale around this time of year.
Minerva
Many are grown during the Christmas season because of their festive red color and large flowers.
Amaryllis flowers are really very easy to grow indoors.
you’re able to find them in almost any nursery or department store pretty much ready to go.
They bloom about eight weeks after planting and the flower stalks can top up to 2 feet.
Several flowers will bloom on one stalk.
Putting gravel in the bottom is a good idea since Amaryllis bulbs require good drainage.
Insert a bamboo stake next to the bulb.
You will need it eventually when the stalk gets tall.
Just tie the stalk to the stake with knee high stockings or plant ties.
Turn the pot every few days so the stalk doesnt grow to one side.
Use fertilizer every 2 to 3 weeks if you like.
If you dont plan on keeping the bulb for another year you dont have to do this.
Steps to Initiate Blooms Next Year
Contrary to popular belief an Amaryllis bulb will bloom for years.
If you could keep the plant alive during the winter, place it outside in sunlight during the summer.
Keep it watered and stop fertilizing in August when the foliage should start to yellow and die back.
Minerva
Remove yellow, dry foliage.
The bulb has now become dormant and it should be September or October.
This will signal the amaryllis to send out a flower stalk.
Amaryllis Mont Blanc
Resume watering and move the plant to a warm, sunny spot again.
Leaves should quickly follow along with flowers.
An added bonus the stalks and flowers will get bigger too.
Red Lion
There are also miniatures.
There are Double varieties that have extra petals.
Picotee
Amoretta
Santos Amaryllis
White baby Amaryllis
Amputo Amaryllis
Hippeastrum Misty
Pink Floyd
Elvas Amaryllis
White Peacock Amaryllis
Double Pink Amaryllis
