The Amaryllis is the easiest to bloom of all flowering bulbs. It originated in South America in tropical regions.
The botanical name is Hippeastrum and it comes in red, white, pink and orange blooms. There are also many striped and multi-colored varieties. These normally have a combination of red or pink with white.
Allow the bulbs to soak in lukewarm water for a few hours. If you can’t plant the bulbs when you first get them, be sure to store them in temperatures no lower than forty degrees and no warmer than fifty.
Plant your bulb in nutritious potting compost, up to the neck of the bulb. Be careful with the roots, as you don’t want to damage them. Press the soil firmly around the bulb.
Set in a warm place with direct sunlight. Heat is necessary to develop the stems. Water sparingly during this time. The stem will appear soon after planting. Sixty eight to seventy degrees Fahrenheit is the perfect temperature for these bloomers.
As the bud and leaves appear, water may increase gradually.
In seven to ten weeks, the bulbs will flower. In the winter, the Amaryllis will have a longer bloom time. This will be shorter in the spring.
In intervals of 2 weeks, plant more bulbs for a constant appearance of blooms, giving your home or garden a beautiful burst of color that continues on through the season. Plant every 2 weeks during October through April.
After your blooms have died off, they can be made to flower again. Cut off the old flowers. Allow the stem to remain. When the stem begins to sag, cut about 2 inches from the bulb.
Water and fertilize all summer or at least for five to six months. Allow the leaves to fully develop and grow. When the stem and leaves turn yellow, which normally happens in early fall, cut the stem back to the two inch mark. Remove the bulb.
Clean off the bulb and place into the refrigerator crisper. Do not place near apples, as this will sterilize the bulbs. Leave in the crisper for a minimum of six weeks. At this time, you can replant the bulbs again, about eight weeks before you want them to bloom again.
The Amaryllis comes in several varieties, other than color. There are the larger flowering Amaryllis, the double Amaryllis, and the dwarf variety. Rare Amaryllis comes in various shades of red, pinks and white.
The Cybister Amaryllis has smaller blooms, although light and feathery. The varieties you can purchase are the Cybister Lima, Bogata, and Emerald. These beautiful Amaryllis types look a little more like Lillies.
The African Amaryllis comes in a variety of pinks, whites, and reds too. Blushing Bride, Carnival, Wedding Dance, Basuto, Miracle, and Merry Christmas are a few of the variations of the African variety.
Whatever type you plant, you can be assured to have beauty and pizzazz in your home with these giant blooms. Caring properly for your Amaryllis will guarantee many years of blooming elegance.
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