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Amaryllis is a
wonderful flowering houseplant to give as a gift
for Christmas or Valentine’s Day and, with the proper care, it will re-bloom
year after year. Amaryllis bulbs flower from the end of December until May or June.
You can purchase these spectacular bulbs pre-planted in a container and ready to bloom or, if you wish, you can buy the bulbs
separately and do all of the planting yourself. The large brightly colored flowers come in red, orange, white, pink, and salmon.
This is an easy care indoor plant that flowers with little or no effort. It is considered a poisonous houseplant.
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CARE
OF AMARYLLIS
Light: These bulbs need
bright light while growing. A southern exposure is best, a western or eastern exposure is okay, and a northern exposure requires
that you give the amaryllis additional artificial light in the evening.
Water: Keep the soil slightly moist while the bulbs
are growing. Once the amaryllis has bloomed increase your water to prolong the life
of the flowers.
Temperature: Amaryllis
is a tropical plant and enjoys temperatures between 68-75 degrees while growing. Once
the bulbs bloom, move the plant to a cooler area (65 degrees) so that the flowers will
last longer.
Fertilizer: Fertilize every 4-6 weeks with a good household
plant food high in potassium & phosphorus & lower in nitrogen (5-10-10 or 6-12-12); always use it at half strength.
Soil & Potting: When planting your own bulbs,
start any time from late fall to mid spring; use a good commercial bulb soil and large fat bulbs. The bigger the bulbs, the
better the flowers. Your container should be small because amaryllis likes to be root bound. Soak the base & roots
of the bulb for a few hours & then plant them up to their necks in soil. It will take from 7-10 weeks for buds to appear.
After Bloom Care: Please contact me at: judy@houseplantconsult.com & I will be glad to email detailed instructions on how to get this great flowering house plant to bloom year after year.
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AMARYLLIS FAQ’S 1. I never get any flowers from my bulbs, only lots of green leaves.
There are several possible causes: you may be using a fertilizer that is too high in nitrogen; there is not enough
light and warmth for this tropical house plant to bloom, the soil is too soggy; or you may be digging up the bulbs too early
after the flowers faded the previous year.
2. There are red spots on the leaves,
petals, and stems of my amaryllis. They start out small but spread to several inches.
This is called Red Blotch.
Cut back on watering, remove diseased leaves & petals, and spray with a commercial fungicide.
3. My amaryllis only produces one or two small flowers while my Mom’s gets five or six huge blooms. Why??
Your Mom probably started out with large plump expensive bulbs while you tried to save money buying the small inexpensive
ones. The larger the bulbs the more flowers this indoor container plant produces. Be sure to fertilize while the green plant
is growing and give it plenty of sun.
4. Do amaryllis get bugs?
Amaryllis
rarely gets bugs; however, if you place this bulb plant outside, it may attract a few grasshoppers.
5. What should I do with my amaryllis after it finishes blooming?
Contact me at: judy@houseplantconsult.com and I’ll email you detailed instructions
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