Amaryllis or hippeastrum, is a tropical flower native to South Africa. Amaryllis bulbs are lauded by gardeners for being easy to plant and replant after a brief period of inactivity (usually during winter). You can keep amaryllis flowers in beds in the garden or in pots. You can plant them in the spring or fall (if you live in a four-season country).
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Part 1 of 4: Amaryllis Flowering Timing
Step 1. Buy amaryllis bulbs, choose the color according to your taste
You can choose between shades of red, pink or orange, as well as white. Amaryllis can also be found in a combination of several colors.
The bigger the tuber, the more flowers the amaryllis will produce
Step 2. Store the amaryllis bulbs in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area until they are ready for planting
The ideal storage temperature ranges from 4-10 degrees Celsius.
Use the crisper drawer – the one at the bottom of the refrigerator where vegetables/fruit products are stored – to store the amaryllis tubers for about 6 weeks. However, you must separate the tubers from fruits, such as apples. Otherwise, the amaryllis tubers will become sterile
Step 3. Decide whether you want the amaryllis to bloom in winter or summer (if you live in a four-season country)
It really depends on the climate in your area. If your area has cold temperatures-below 10 degrees Celsius in winter-you will need to plant amaryllis bulbs in pots and place them indoors.
- Amaryllis that flower in winter are generally larger and bloom longer than those that flower in summer.
- You can plant them during the second period of the season, as long as the bulbs are refrigerated for 6 weeks, between the last flower wilting and replanting.
Step 4. Plant the bulbs in fertile soil outside or in composted soil in an indoor pot, about 8 weeks before your desired flowering time
Part 2 of 4: Planting Amaryllis Bulbs
Step 1. Choose a container/pot that has good drainage
Do not use a pot that does not have drainage holes in the bottom. Amaryllis tubers are very sensitive to too much water.
- Amaryllis prefers to be planted in pots, but can also be planted in small beds in garden areas.
- Grow amaryllis in beds in the garden, when the outside temperature is over 10 degrees Celsius and there is no risk of a bad frost. Use the same instructions if you intend to grow them in pots.
Step 2. Take a container/pot whose width on each side (from the edge of the tuber) is half the size of the tuber
So, there should be at least ± 5 cm of soil between the side of the tuber and the edge of the pot. Most amaryllis tubers like sturdy pots measuring ±15-20 cm.
Step 3. Soak the amaryllis bulbs in lukewarm water for 2 hours, before you plan to plant them
Step 4. Purchase fertile compost specifically for planting in pots at your nearest garden/garden supply store
You can purchase a ready-to-use growing mix that will suit your amaryllis type of plant. Soil from the garden tends to be less suitable, because the drainage is not sufficient.
Step 5. Place the amaryllis tubers into the pot with the roots down
Slowly insert the soil/planting medium into the pot around the bulbs. Leave the tuber stems, about 1/3 of the length of the plant, above the soil surface.
- Don't put too much soil in the pot, because you need to keep the roots of the plant from being damaged (remaining intact).
- If you're worried that the stems above the soil will droop or fall, stick pieces of wood, twigs or anything else into the side of the tuber to hold the plant upright.
Part 3 of 4: Caring for Amaryllis
Step 1. Place the pot in a place exposed to direct sunlight for the first few weeks
Amaryllis grows best at 21-24 degrees Celsius.
Step 2. Water the amaryllis tubers with very little water until the stems grow to ±5 cm
Step 3. Rotate the bottom of the pot every few weeks to encourage the growth of straight stalks
Step 4. If the amaryllis begins to flower, move the pot to a place that gets indirect sunlight
Amaryllis should bloom for about 2 weeks. Amaryllis flowers will bloom longer at 18.3 degrees Celsius than in hotter temperatures.
Step 5. Water the amaryllis regularly, as you would most indoor plants
Add liquid plant fertilizer every certain period of time.
Step 6. If the flowers start to wilt, cut them about 2.54 cm from the tuber
When the flower stalks wilt, cut them where they meet the bulbs. You can treat it as a green plant for a few weeks/months.
Part 4 of 4: Reusing Amaryllis Bulbs
Step 1. Start watering the plant with less water to make it easier for you to lift the bulbs
Step 2. Make sure you pick and store the amaryllis bulbs before the first frost, and before the temperature reaches 10 degrees Celsius
Step 3. Cut the leaves that are at a position ±5 cm above the tuber
When the leaves begin to turn yellow due to cooler temperatures and less watering, they are ready to be cut.
Step 4. Remove the tuber and its roots from the soil
Do it slowly to avoid damaging the tubers.
Step 5. Clean the tubers with water
Dry it and then store it in a cool, dry place, as you did before planting it. The bulbs should be in a cool, dry place for 6 to 8 weeks before you replant them.
