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 The 6- to 10-inch trumpet shaped blossoms are sure
to generate a smile and brighten your mood. And consider sharing the
fun of growing these beauties with friends and families. Watching
the bulbs transform into beautiful blossoms is an experience
everyone will enjoy – and it’s a gift that requires no dusting.
When buying amaryllis, purchase large bulbs for the biggest and
longest lasting floral display. One jumbo bulb will send up multiple
flower stems over several weeks. Smaller bulbs can be planted two or
three to a pot to create a living bouquet.
Try some of the newer varieties like ‘Lagoon’ and ‘Red Pearl’. Their
ten-inch blossoms are sure to enliven any indoor decor. Grow the
‘Nymph’ series of double amaryllis if you prefer large flowers on
shorter stems. ‘Cherry Nymph’ has a rose-like beauty with layers of
fire engine red petals.
And for something different, grow amaryllis ‘Evergreen’ with long
and narrow, pale chartreuse petals. Large bulbs will have two or
more stems, each with four or more flowers. Or plant the uniquely
shaped ‘Exotic Star’ with garnet red stripes and apple green
highlights on ivory petals.
Grow your amaryllis in a pot with drainage holes and use a quality
potting mix. Plant large bulbs in individual pots that are seven to
eight inches deep and five to six inches across. Or group several
bulbs together in a larger container.
Look for unique containers or decorative baskets to showcase these
beauties. To see some creative ways to display and decorate your
home with amaryllis, download a free Winter-Blooming Bulbs
Inspiration Book (longfield-gardens.com). [to top of second
column] |
When planting amaryllis bulbs, the top half of the
bulb should stay above the soil surface. You can dress up the
container by covering the soil surface with moss or decorative
stones. Water the potting mix thoroughly after planting, and place
the container in a cool (60-65°F), bright location. Water sparingly
until the sprouts appear, and then start watering weekly, allowing
the soil to dry out in between.
Or go soilless. Place several inches of pebbles in
the bottom of a glass vase or watertight container. Cover the
pebbles with water. Set the bulb on top of the pebbles and add more
stones around the bulb to hold it in place. Add water as needed,
keeping the water level just below (almost touching) the bulb.
Now relax and wait the month or more needed for your amaryllis bulb
to wake up and start growing. Flower buds usually emerge before the
leaves, but sometimes the leaves come first. When the buds begin to
open, move your amaryllis away from direct sunlight to extend the
flower display.
You can also display these magnificent blooms in a vase. Wait until
the buds are soft and showing a little color, then cut the stems to
the desired length and place them in a clean vase with fresh water.
To keep your blooming plant looking its best, use scissors to remove
individual flowers as they fade. Cut the entire stem back to the
bulb once it has finished blooming. And watch for a second or third
flower stem to appear. Some bulbs produce multiple stems at one time
while others rest a week or two before sending up another flower
stem.
That’s all there is to it. Just plant, water and place in a brightly
lit location for weeks of fresh, colorful flowers this winter.
Photo credit: Longfield-Gardens.com
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