Amaryllis Bulbs: Easy Blooms Indoors or Outdoors!
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Amaryllis bulbs, or Hippeastrum, are magnificent potted plants. They come in shades of salmon, white, pink, red, and orange. Some varieties are bi-colored. Usually, there are two to six flowers for every stalk. Planting the bulbs using two-week intervals will help you toward continuous blooms. You can keep the amaryllis indoors all year long. For growing outdoors, plant in the spring after all danger of frost is gone.
Potting Mix and Fertilization Use only a sterilized potting mix. There should be equal parts of peat and perlite. Soil pH hsould be between 6.0 and 6.5. Do not fertilize amaryllis before the leaves appear. You can kill the roots! Fertilize when the plant begins to grow twice a month, using a water-soluble fertilizer for potted plants. For ground planting, your fertilizer should be low in nitrogen, like the 6-12-12, or the 5-10-10 ratios. Apply up to 1.5 lbs per 100 square feet. Organic fertilizers are best. The first application should be when the new growth begins, then when the flower stalks are about eight inches tall, and then after flowering. Remove the old flower heads and stems first Temperature For indoor planting, choose a warm place in your house, about 70ºF – 75ºF. If you have a window facing south, that is best. The amaryllis needs at least four hours of direct daily sunlight. Keep the amaryllis in that warm condition until the roots have formed and the flower stalk and leaves have started growing. At flowering, a cooler temperature of about 65ºF will extend the life of the bloom. Irrigation Upon planting, you should thoroughly water the amaryllis bulb. The soil should be somewhat moist until the amaryllis starts to flower. As soon as the blooming begins, increase the irrigation frequency. Wait until the soil surface is dry to your touch. It may be a once weekly irrigation, but do not trust a rigid schedule. Most plants’ irrigation needs depend on varying factors like humidity, room temperature, soil, lighting, etc. Check for adequate drainage. Some Reasons For No Bloom
Naturally Re-Blooming the Amaryllis Bulbs
When the amaryllis has stopped blooming, cut the flower stalk to the bulb’s top. Allow the foliage to continue growing. Irrigate as usual to encourage natural reblooms. Do not fertilize. The leaves will yellow and drop about December. In about four to eight weeks, new flower stalks should sprout. Start fertilizing the amaryllis again. Move the plant to a warm and sunny spot. Blooms will follow the leaves. Forcing the Amaryllis Bulb to Bloom To force the amaryllis bulbs to bloom, count up to 12 weeks back to know when irrigation should be stopped. It may or may not work, depending on the condition of your bulbs. Natural blooms are better than forced. Although some warm conditions are required to force the bulbs to bloom, the bulbs need a cool place once they flower. The blooms will last longer. Winter Forcing To force the amaryllis to bloom in late winter, induce a dormant period. Dig them in the fall and locate in a dry, shady place for about two months. Take out wilting leaves. Replant, and take care of it as usual. More on Amaryllis Bulbs!
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