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Each fall I start looking around garden centers for Amaryllis bulbs. They are large bulbs, and priced to match their size, but for impact, especially at Christmas and into winter, I don’t think you can put a price on an amaryllis. Nothing is better on a dreary January day than the bright bloom of an amaryllis.
Despite my love of Amaryllis bulbs, I’ve never kept one past its first bloom season. This year’s going to be different; my New Year’s resolution is to keep at least one of my Amaryllis bulbs alive to see it re-bloom. Wish me luck! If you have a bulb of your own and want to join me on this journey, keep reading. I’ve researched the topic and here’s what I learned:
After your bulb’s blooms are spent, cut the stem off, but leave any leaves your plant has so they can do the whole “photosynthesis” thing. Place your bulb near a sunny window over the winter, giving the bulb a regular drink of water and liquid fertilizer. When the weather warms, and the frost threat is over, move your amaryllis outdoors to a spot protected from strong sun and wind. If temperatures drop below 50 degrees bring the bulb back in.
Once consistently warm weather arrives you can leave the bulb outside 24/7. You may leave the bulb in its container, or you can plant it in the ground IF you have well drained soil. Morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal for the amaryllis, water lightly, feeding once every six weeks. By mid-August stop watering the bulb and let it rest. In September bring the bulb indoors to a cool, dry location for an eight-week period. At the end of this rest period repot the bulb with fresh potting mix, water once, then wait for leaves and buds to appear. When those signs of life appear move the bulb to a sunnier location and increase watering. You (and I) should (hopefully) have blooms again for the 2025 holiday season!
