Amaryllis Flower Care

Amy Timmerman, Extension Educator Author

01/30/2023 Added

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You may be lucky enough to receive an Amaryllis bulb over the holiday season. These flowers are popular flowering bulbs that are forced indoors for their large, spectacular blooms during the winter months.

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[00:00:01.129]This is Amy Timmerman with this week’s extension update.
[00:00:04.449]You may be lucky enough to receive an Amaryllis bulb over the holiday season.
[00:00:08.449]These flowers are popular flowering bulbs that are forced indoors for their large,
[00:00:12.449]spectacular blooms during the winter months.
[00:00:15.999]The trumpet-shaped flowers can be as large as 8 to 10 inches across and
[00:00:19.999]are produced atop an 18- to 30-inch-tall flower stalk.
[00:00:24.073]Flower colors include red, pink, orange, salmon, white, and bi-colors.
[00:00:30.353]Single-flowering, double-flowering, and miniature amaryllis varieties are available.
[00:00:35.681]Amaryllis bulbs can be purchased pre-planted in pots or unpotted.
[00:00:39.726]When purchasing amaryllis, select large, solid bulbs.
[00:00:43.296]The largest bulbs usually produce 2 or 3 flower stalks.
[00:00:47.126]When planting an amaryllis bulb, select a pot that is approximately
[00:00:50.906]1 to 2 inches wider than the diameter of the bulb.
[00:00:54.406]The container may be clay, ceramic, or plastic,
[00:00:57.876]but should have drainage holes in the bottom.
[00:01:00.394]Plant the bulb in a well-drained potting mix.
[00:01:03.144]Place a small amount of the potting mix in the bottom of the pot.
[00:01:06.665]Center the bulb in the middle of the pot.
[00:01:09.130]Then add additional potting soil, firming it around the roots and bulb.
[00:01:13.130]When finished potting, the upper one-half
[00:01:16.750]of the bulb should remain above the soil surface.
[00:01:19.030]Also, leave about one inch between the soil surface and the pot’s rim.
[00:01:22.340]Then water thoroughly and place in a warm (70° to 75°F) location.
[00:01:27.790]Check the pot before watering a pre-planted amaryllis bulb.
[00:01:31.790]If the container doesn’t have drainage holes, remove the bulb.
[00:01:35.370]Drill small holes in the bottom of the container and replant
[00:01:39.000]or transfer the bulb to a pot with drainage holes.
[00:01:42.317]After the initial watering, water just enough
[00:01:44.807]to keep the potting mix barely moist.
[00:01:47.317]When growth appears, move the plant to a
[00:01:49.157]sunny window and water more frequently.
[00:01:51.437]During flower stalk elongation, it is important turn the pot daily
[00:01:57.187]to assure straight stalk development.
[00:02:00.116]Stake flower stalks that lean badly.
[00:02:03.125]When the amaryllis begins to bloom, move the plant to a slightly cooler
[00:02:07.125](65° to 70°F) location that doesn’t receive direct sun
[00:02:11.955]to prolong the life of the flowers.
[00:02:14.865]Some individuals discard the amaryllis after flowering.
[00:02:18.265]However, it is possible to save the amaryllis
[00:02:21.205]and force it to flower on an annual basis.
[00:02:23.730]The key to successful reflowering is proper care.
[00:02:27.100]After the flowers fade, cut off the flower stalk with a sharp knife or pruners.
[00:02:30.940]Make the cut 1 to 2 inches above the bulb.
[00:02:34.119]Do not damage the foliage.
[00:02:36.269]In order for the bulb to bloom again next year,
[00:02:39.329]the plant must replenish its depleted food reserves.
[00:02:42.049]The strap-like leaves manufacture food for the plant.
[00:02:45.380]Place the plant in a sunny window and water when the soil surface is nearly dry.
[00:02:50.253]Fertilize every 2 to 4 weeks with a dilute fertilizer solution.
[00:02:54.473]A balanced all-purpose fertilizer at half strength works well.
[00:02:58.533]The amaryllis can be moved outdoors in late May.
[00:03:02.293]Harden or acclimate the plant to the outdoors
[00:03:05.506]by initially placing it in a shady, protected area.
[00:03:08.106]After 2 or 3 days, gradually expose the
[00:03:10.944]amaryllis to longer periods of direct sun.
[00:03:14.030]Once hardened, select a site in part sun.
[00:03:17.179]Dig a hole and set the pot into the ground.
[00:03:20.189]Outdoors, continue to water the plant during dry weather.
[00:03:24.189]Also, continue to fertilize the amaryllis once or twice a month through July.
[00:03:28.794]Bring the plant indoors in mid-September.
[00:03:32.044]Plants left indoors should be kept in a sunny window and
[00:03:35.394]watered and fertilized in the same way as those grown outdoors.
[00:03:38.272]This has been Amy Timmerman with Nebraska Extension

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Amaryllis Flower Care

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