AMARYLLIS (Hippeastrum)

The Amaryllis is a cheerful reminder of spring.  Although it typically blooms once a year,  watching the buds develop and blossom and choosing from the many hybrids and colors available is a treat in itself.   For many years, I have tried and failed at bringing this spectacular plant to rebloom until I spoke with someone who has done this year after year with reliable results.  I was rewarded with a large bulb that produced two stalks of flowers every year.  So, here are the instructions for those of you who may have gotten one at Christmas!!

 

Potting and culture: To Pot: 1.  Select clay pot or another container with drainage holes and enough weight to prevent tipping.  Amaryllis may split thin plastic pots; clay is better.  Allow two inches maximum space between bulb and side of pot.  Roots should be able to fill the container as bulb prepares to bloom.  2.  Use a standard potting soil with 1/2 tablespoon of steamed bone meal and a tablespoon of granulated charcoal per 6 inch pot.  A pro mix works well.  3.  Fill in potting medium to cover the bottom half of the bulb.  4.  Water with lukewarm water poured on from the top.  5.  Put pot in a bright spot where temperature will be close to 70 degrees.  Avoid direct sun.  6.  Keep lightly moist as roots develop.  7.  Increase watering on soil as bloom develops, but don't let bulb sit in water.  8.  Turn pot every few days to encourage symmetrical growth.  Use a support  if necessary for top heavy stems.  9.  When all buds are open, you can place the plant where you would best enjoy it.  10.  Flowers will last longer when temps are between 65 and 70 degrees. Be careful not to knock the pollen onto the sticky stigma; pollinated flowers don't last long. TO REBLOOM After blooming, cut scape.  Water normally, fertilizing again with bone meal and feeding every two weeks to encourage good leaf growth.  After danger of frost, plant outdoors IN THE GROUND in a semi-shade area.  Include some bone meal and bulb food in the ground.  Fertilize with a liquid fertilizer every 3 weeks throughout the summer.  In Missouri, you may dig up the bulb at the end of August.  Trim roots.  Wash roots and bulb thoroughly, removing soil.  Let air dry in an open area, out of direct sun, turning the bulb from time to time, so it won't rot.  When leaves turn yellow to brown, remove them about an inch from the base of the bulb.   Dust with dusting sulphur and store in a cool dry place (like a basement) in a flat or open box.  Check the bulb from time to time...it takes from 90-120 days for bulb to rest.  Plant when you notice new growth (bulb) coming up from the bulb.   Pot bulb in soil mix and repeat bloom-rest cycle again. I found that planting the bulbs in the ground in the summertime produces HUGE bulbs if they are grown in rich soil and fertilized from time to time.  Some of these bulbs may produce two bloom stems.