ST. CLOUD, Minn. — As the days are becoming shorter and we see less sunlight it can be hard to fight the winter blues. One great way to boost your mood is by taking care of living things such as house plants. A plant that has become more popular in recent years is the amaryllis. These beautiful and dramatic trumpet-shaped flowers come in a variety of colors and sizes. Whether you have had an amaryllis for a few years or are looking to add to or start your house plant collection there are a few things you will want to keep in mind.
Amaryllis can be purchased as bare or planted bulbs. If you choose to purchase a bare bulb you want to choose the largest one available as larger bulbs will produce more flowers. Make sure that the bulb you are choosing is dry and has no signs of mold, decay or injury. You might see new growth coming from the bulb in the form of leaves, this is very common and just means that you will get to enjoy the green and growing sooner. Another item you may notice on your bulb is an offshoot growing from the base. This is the beginnings of a new bulb that can be removed and planted separately. Two for one!
Amaryllis will bloom best if they are slightly pot bound so you will want to choose a narrow container with little extra space. A good rule of thumb is to have about one inch of space between the edge of the blub at the widest point and the edge of the container. The top of the bulb should also sit above the top of the soil and container. Your container should have at least one drainage hole. If the bulb sits in water it will begin to rot and can attract pest. Water your new bulb well, allow it to drain, place in a saucer and set in a sunny window. For best results, once new growth is visible use a house plant fertilizer at half rate each time you water.
As your amaryllis grows it will bloom with big, bold, beautiful flowers. Unlike some other bulbs amaryllis do not require a dormant period. To keep your amaryllis blooming for several years you need to keep them active after bloom. To do this remove the flower once it has faded. Removal of the flower will prevent seed formation. Seeds deplete important energy reserves in the bulb and will lower the number of times that your plant will bloom. Do not remove the flower stalk until after it has turned yellow. Continue watering, fertilizing and allowing sunlight to promote more flowers.
As I mentioned, amaryllis prefer to be pot bound. Therefore they only need to be repotted every 3-4 years. The best time to repot them is after you have allowed them to go dormant. To send your amaryllis into dormancy you will want to put it in a dark, dry, cool room or closet with temperatures between 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the leaves have turned brown and dry they can be removed. Leave the bulb alone for 8-12 weeks and do not water it. You may want to inspect it occasionally to make sure that it is not growing any mold or mildew. If you do find mold or mildew you will want to treat it with a fungicide. Once the dormancy period is over you can repot your amaryllis and bring it back into a sunny room to be enjoyed. Flowers should begin to appear in approximately 4-6 weeks.
— Katie Winslow, University of Minnesota Extension
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