Growing Amaryllis will bring a little Spring to Winter
Winter can bring long stretches of grey cloudy days, snow, or rain, low sun light and short days. The ideal time for some big bright colorful flowers. With a little planning, growing amaryllis will bring a bit of Spring to the doldrums of winter starting with Christmas.
The most common variety is the Dutch amaryllis, sometimes known as the large-flowered amaryllis. These plants produce trumpet-shaped flowers in a range of colors, including red, pink, white, and bicolor varieties. Because they typically grow to be between 18 and 24 inches tall and bloom in the winter, large-flowered amaryllis are appealing choice to grow for Christmas decorations.
The length of time from bulb planting to flowering, varies based on the cultivar and the bulb size, most between 7 and 10 weeks. The larger bulbs may sometimes bloom twice. The bulb sizes range from between approximately 3 to 6 inches.
Planting Amaryllis
- Pick a pot size that allows for about an inch from the bulb to the edge of the pot, and has drainage holes at the bottom .
- Amaryllis needs a well-draining soil mix. Make a potting mixture, by combing potting soil, coir, perlite and sand in equal parts, or, you can also grow them just using gravel.
- Add potting mixture until the pot is 1/2 to 2/3rds filled, then add the bulb, and fill around the bulb making sure that the top third of the bulb is above the soil line.
- Water the bulb until the water runs out the bottom of the pot.
- Place the pot in a warm, bright spot that receives indirect sunlight. Avoid placing it in direct sunlight as it can damage the leaves.
- Water regularly: Water the soil regularly to keep it evenly moist but not soaking wet. Avoid overwatering as it can lead to root rot.
- Fertilize: Once the bulb starts to grow, fertilize it every two weeks with a balanced fertilizer to encourage growth.
- Support the stem: As the stem grows, support it with a stake or a support ring to prevent it from falling over
Purchasing Amaryllis
Amaryllis can be found online year round these days, as there are some varieties that bloom in the spring and summer. For the varieties that bloom in winter, look for the bulbs in the September – October time frame. You will find them in plant nurseries, home improvement stores, online and in flower and plant catalogues. Some reliable sources are, Gardner’s Supply Company , Eden Brothers , or k.van Bourgondien
