Amaryllis Flower

Nothing can break the gloom, like a bloom in the dead of winter. Of all of the flowering bulbs, the Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) is the easiest to force into bloom. Amaryllis Flower fit into any color scheme with their magnificent blooms of white, pink, red, yellow, and orange. When the showy amaryllis blooms, the explosion is visible from everywhere in a room. Bursting forth from tall stems, these robust plants grow to heights of 2 feet. There are many hybrids of this amaryllis available. They are usually grown indoors in pots because of their rapid growth and showy flowers. If planted indoors, they bloom during the winter and early spring season, depending on when planted. If planted outside in warm climates, they bloom in the spring. Each bulb normally produces two stems of 2 - 6 flowers on each stem. They grow from 12 - 36 inches tall and are hardy outside in zones 8 - 11. The large, (up to six inch blooms) showy flowers, and ease with which they can be grown in the home make the Amaryllis extremely popular as a gift plant during the holiday seasons.

Amaryllis requires no cold storage, as other forced bulbs do, and they need only be planted in a pot, placed in a sunny window, and watered. Although the most expensive of all forcing bulbs, amaryllis also is the largest bulb and produces a lot of bloom for the money. Miniature varieties grow to 1-1/2 to 2 feet and produce the same number of blossoms as their larger siblings. Double-flowered amaryllis is available in several colors. Although many sources sell amaryllis pre-potted, complete with container, soil, and bulb, it's easy to pot it yourself. Either way, five to eight weeks after planting the bulbs you will be rewarded with stunningly spectacular blooms.

Growing Amaryllis Indoors

Select a flowerpot 6 to 8 inches in diameter with a drain hole. Fill it about 1/3 full of good quality potting soil. Place the bulb in the pot, spreading the roots out gently. Fill the pot up the rest of the way with soil leaving the neck of the bulb exposed. Water thoroughly one time, then water sparingly until the bulb starts to grow. Do not over water. Put the pot in a warm sunny place. You will enjoy watching the flower stalk gradually emerge. Each Amaryllis bulb seems to have its own schedule but generally flowers will be open in 6 to 8 weeks. Each stalk may produce 4 to 6 flowers; large bulbs may have 2 to 3 stalks. After flowering, cut off the flower stalks and watch the leaves appear. Water and fertilize the bulb regularly through the summer. Stop watering in August; put the bulb in a cool dark place in September and let it go dormant for 8 to 12 weeks. Then bring it into the light, water it, and start the cycle again.

Amaryllis may be purchased as individually packaged or bulk bulbs, but more frequently are sold in a pre-potted condition. The pre-planted Amaryllis gift boxes normally take no more initial effort than simply watering them with room temperature water to bring them into growth. Avoid getting water on the nose of the bulb. Keep the potting medium moist, but not wet. Don't over-water! The plant should be kept in a brightly lighted area at about 70-75 degrees F. After the plant starts to grow, feeding is essential. Either use a complete slow- release fertilizer which lasts several months, or a water soluble fertilizer twice a month. Once the plant is flowering, keep it out of direct sunlight, and slightly cooler to promote a longer flower life. After all flowers fade, cut them off at the top of the stalk. When the stalk starts to sag, carefully cut it off just above the bulb nose. Continue to water and fertilize as normal, until the leaves start to yellow. At this time, cut the leaves back to about 2 inches from the top of the bulb and remove it from the pot. Keep the bulb in a cool (40-50 degree f), dark place for a minimum of 6-8 weeks. Plant bulbs 8 weeks before you would like them to bloom.

Any time after that, you may repot the bulb, and start the process over again. Bulbs may be planted at two-week intervals, from September through February to ensure non-stop winter bloom, until May. Plant in a well-drained, sterile potting medium, using a standard 6-inch diameter pot. Be certain that the pot has adequate drainage holes. Plant the bulb, with about one-third being above the rim of the pot. Press the soil down firmly to set the bulb securely in place. Water thoroughly, and your plant will start anew.

Bulbs, which are older than two years, will produce offset bulblets. These bulblets may be left attached to the mother and repotted that way, creating quite a show. Preferably, the bulblets are carefully removed from the mother bulb (immediately before it is replanted), and planted in their own individual pots. These little bulbs will take two years of growth before they will produce their first flower.

So bring that whiff of freshness into your home now with the blooming Amaryllis.