Question
How to grow and care for Amaryllis

Answer
Hi Jimmy,

You weren't specific as to whether this is an Amaryllis already in bloom or a brand new bulb. So I will provide some overall instructions that you can adapt to your particular situation.

Care of Blooming Amaryllis: Put it in a place where you can enjoy it and keep the soil moderately dry. Cool temperatures will help preserve flowers a bit longer. Keep it away from any direct sunlight and do not fertilize at this time. More mature bulbs will send up more than one flower stalk. Individual flowers last for 5 to 6 days under good conditions. Remove individual flowers as they fade. When all flowers on a stalk have died, cut off the entire flower stalk just above the top of the bulb. Do NOT cut off any leaves.

Post-bloom Care of Amaryllis:  After your amaryllis has finished flowering and you have removed the flower stalks, move your plant to a sunny window and keep it there until September. Keep the soil moderately moist and fertilize monthly with a balanced plant food. Resist the urge to repot unless it is completely potbound Repotting tends to discourage new flowers. Cut off any leaves that turn yellow. This period from January through August is the time when the bulb is renewed so that it will flower again the following year. The more sunlight it receives during this period, the more the bulb will grow and the more prolific the flowers.

Amaryllis Dormancy: In the early fall, amaryllis dormancy is encouraged by TOTAL NEGLECT. Move the amaryllis to a cool, dim, dry spot and ignore it for at least eight weeks. This is usually done starting in September. This total neglect goes against the grain for many plant owners, but it is a must if you want your amaryllis to bloom again. The leaves will die back and the whole thing will look dead and ugly so it is best to put it out of site and forget about it for a couple of months. Resist the temptation to rescue it with a little water or TLC.


Getting New Amaryllis Flowers: After the two-month dormancy, and a couple of weeks before you want your plant to flower, give the bulb's soil (no need to repot) a thorough soaking - just once. Move it to a brighter location and wait patiently for the flower stalk(s) to emerge, usually within a week or two. Then put it wherever you will enjoy it. The first flowers will open about 3 to 4 weeks after the initial watering. It is important to keep the soil on the dry side after the initial soaking in order to encourage more flower stalks.

Amaryllis Longevity and Progeny: Amaryllis bulbs that are cared for as described above will last for many years. Each year the bulb will become larger and the number of flower stalks and flowers per stalk will increase. In addition, mature bulbs will produce offsets or small bulbs alongside the original bulb. The offsets can be separated from the main bulb. Take a few roots along with the offset and pot it in a peat mix in the smallest plastic pot that it will fit into comfortably. Place it in your sunniest indoor window or in light shade outside if it is warm enough. Keep the soil moist and fertilize it regularly if you are using a peat mix. Repot the offset only when it is utterly pot-bound. Let it go dormant in the fall for 6 to 8 weeks, as you do with any amaryllis. Lots of sun, a tight pot, and a proper dormant period are the keys to getting your offset up to blooming size. This may take a few years, so be patient. Before long you will have so many amaryllis plants that you will be able to give them away as wonderful holiday gifts.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]

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