Potted Amaryllis

Potted Amaryllis

Amaryllis is a tropical bulb that blooms indoors usually in winter (USDA hardiness zones 9-11). It is one of the easiest flowering plants to grow. Everything you need to enjoy a bouquet of big, beautiful flowers is inside the bulb. Simply plant the pre-chilled bulb in a container and add water.

There are many varieties to choose. Purchase large size bulb (over 30 cm) that produce more bloom stalks and greater numbers of flowers. Local garden centers stock bulbs starting in early fall and offer some already potted. Amaryllis bulbs should be planted immediately or can be stored over several months in a cool (40-50°F) dark dry place prior to potting.

Select a pot with a wide base, large enough to accommodate the new bulb. Fill the bottom of the container with soilless growing media and set the bulb on top. Finish filling and packing the soil-less media within 1 inch of the top. Leave the shoulders and neck of the bulb exposed. Thoroughly water the potting media to settle the bulb. The newly purchased bulb has been pre-chilled and is ready to sprout within 3-4 weeks. Place the pot in a cool (60-70°F) location and in bright light indoors or one-half day morning sunlight outdoors.

Continue to water as needed after shoots and flower buds have emerged. Overwatering will cause amaryllis bulb rot. The large flowers may become top heavy; stake the flower stalk if necessary to support the floral stalk. Blooms last longer if you can keep them away from direct sunlight and dry heat. As the individual flowers fade, snip them off with a sharp knife. Eventually, cut back the entire bloom stalk to about an inch above the bulb.  Bloom stalks cut flowers.

Bulb will grow in the same pot and bloom again for several years. When spring frost is over, move amaryllis outdoors to ½ day of morning sunlight and protect from drying winds. Continue to water and feed monthly with a water soluble fertilizer from spring to early fall. Bring the pot back indoors when night temperatures fall below 40°F.

Every 3-4 years in late summer, divide and repot your amaryllis bulbs that have become crowded and pot bound. Stop watering and allow 2-3 months for chilling temps and very low light. The old leaves will dry up and the bulb is dormant. Store the potted dormant bulb in a cool (40°F minimum) garage or storage area.

Amaryllis bulbs make great holiday gifts to garden friends. Brent and Becky’s Bulbs in Gloucester, VA list many colorful varieties in their on-line catalog.