By Andrea Knepper, Extension Master Gardener, University of Vermont
Amaryllis bulbs and blooms make popular and appreciated holiday gifts. Gifted in full bloom to brighten the winter months or lovingly tended to bloom after the new year, amaryllis add vibrant color and joy to the dreary season.
Amaryllis are commonly available during the winter holidays because they bloom so willingly. They are easy to care for and, with careful attention, can produce flowers for 20 years or more. Some growers even report blooms from the same bulb for over 50 years.
Your amaryllis may bloom as a bare root or waxed bulb. Whichever type you have, each is easy to care for.
Bare-root bulbs should be planted in a pot about an inch wider than the bulb and twice as deep. Amaryllis prefer good drainage and nutrient-rich potting soil.
Fill the pot halfway with potting soil, and place the bulb on top. Once enough soil is placed under the bulb, fill in around it firmly with potting soil leaving the top of the bulb exposed. The top should be above the soil level to where it begins to round.
For the first watering, water thoroughly, allowing the soil to drain completely. After that, water when the top soil feels dry and just enough to moisten the soil. Place the amaryllis in a warm, sunny spot. Typically, your amaryllis will bloom in five to eight weeks. Refer to the plant tag for specific care instructions.
A waxed amaryllis bulb is a unique gift that requires almost no effort to produce a beautiful flower. Simply place the waxed bulb in a sunny spot, and you will enjoy the showy blooms in a few weeks.
Remove the wax coating after the flowers fade to keep your waxed bulb. Be careful not to detach roots or foliage. Check the bulb closely for soft spots, which may indicate disease or rot. If the bulb appears healthy, plant and care for it and its foliage as you would a bare-root bulb.
After the amaryllis blooms have passed their prime, cut back the blossom stalk but leave the long, spiky foliage leaves. The leaves will help the bulb gather nutrients in preparation for blooming next year. The foliage itself is an attractive plant that will thrive all summer.
The amaryllis needs to go through a dormant period. To force blooms in winter, stop watering the plant at the end of September and place it in a cool, dark place between 50 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the foliage browns, cut it back to the top of the bulb with sharp, clean garden shears.
Keep the bulb in darkness at this lower temperature for eight to 10 weeks. After that time, replant it as described above and place it in a warm, sunny spot. Before long, you will enjoy another season of beautiful amaryllis blooms.
Andrea Knepper is a UVM Extension Master Gardener from Bolton.
Bare-root bulbs should be planted in nutrient-rich potting soil in a pot about an inch wider than the bulb and twice as deep.
