A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The House Plant Forum Amaryllis?

Has anyone kept Amaryllis from year to year? I have one that I am growing this year, and I have been back and forth on whether I should buy a few more so I have a huge pot next year of Amaryllis for Christmas!

It seems quite easy--just take it outside in the summer and ensure that it gets water, then bring it indoors for winter and to force it to bloom.


What do you guys think?

It is easy to keep them year to year?

I've attempted to do the poinsetta thing, but I always do something to kill them before the next holiday season!

I have never done it but my mother in law has and seemed to have very good luck doing it. I'm sure some one will come on with more advice.

Amaryllis bulbs require 6-8 weeks in a cool dark place prior to re-planting....
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/amaryllis.html

http://www.thegardenhelper.com/Poinsettias.htm

They are really easy. Like you said if you get it outside in lots of sun and give it lots of ferts this summer you should have blooms this winter. I do not force mine I let them bloom when they get ready. But I have blooms all winter.

It is really good when you can catch them for 1.00 after the holidays.

Thanks for the advice......A lady sent me one and it is almost in bloom.
Another angel in the audience.........

I will try that .Put it out this summer and 6-8 weeks in the dark..Unlike me who is always in the dark........(when I shut off the lights)

I have never seen them that cheap before. Even after the season in the new year, when the bulbs get wrinkly and have shrunken, they're still selling them at the org. price, maybe a few bucks less, from $10 to $8 or so

I bought a nice white blooming one this year, and I'm hoping to keep it for years. I've read that you can stop watering and feeding it in august to force them for christmas, but ive also read that some people say they last longer (a few more years) if you let them flower on their own in feburary or so

Once again, thank you Bill for the Amaryllis site! I wanted to buy a bulb, and now I will know what to do with it!!!

Thanks, guys! Everyone is always so helpful here!

My amaryllis has two buds on it, and I've been thinking about picking up another one (or two...). Target has them for $6.99, and they come in really nice ceramic containers that are nicer than the regular old plastic ones.

PS......

Mine was free........
No cost.. but I hope it comes back..

b

I think I may have an idea of a new house plant that I want now.

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff80/manderlyh/christmas2031.jpg

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff80/manderlyh/christmas2051.jpg

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff80/manderlyh/christmas2049.jpg


Here's a few shots of my amaryllis! I've thought of buying a few more, but the only ones I've seen don't look very healthy.

I originally posted the actual pictures, but I cannot remember how to re-size them in the IMG tags!

Such pretty colours. Certainly brightens up a room doesn't it?

my pretty Appleblossom Amarylliss bulb is lying dry & unplanted on the dresser top in my Spare bedroom.
(read valarie's BR)

I so wish I could plant it.--Perhaps Mom would come do it, but I am afraid she does not know how to do it properly--I guess I could guide her. I really wanted to get new medium for it (I have some bags of different types of soil out in our shed) but I guess I will just have to rely upon fertilizer if things don't go well enough---

A pretty Amaryllis would be so great right now.

Wish I had of seen the ones at Target
I got mine at Wal-mart: ----
I paid $4.00 for mine that came just the bulb. The ones I bought in Boxes that came with pots & planting medium were like $3.4+ each--go figure.

Those are really nice.......They really get tall huh?

Now how will you do them after they are done blooming?

b

Yesterday--1/8/08 I planted my Amaryllis---now I will have to wait & see how it does---

Dodge--here I copied & pasted this for you (& me)

Preparation for Planting
The base and roots of the bulb should be placed in lukewarm water for a few hours. Remember, if you cannot plant the bulbs immediately after receiving them, store them at a cool temperature between 40-50 degrees F.

Planting
Plant bulbs in a nutritious potting compost, many are available pre-mixed. Plant the bulb up to its neck in the potting compost, being careful not to damage the roots. Press the soil down firmly to set the bulb securely in place after planting.


Placement and Watering
Plant the bulb, or place the potted bulb in a warm place with direct light since heat is necessary for the development of the stems. The ideal temperature is 68 to 70 degrees F. Water sparingly until the stem appears, then, as the bud and leaves appear, gradually water more. At this point, the stem will grow rapidly and flowers will develop after it has reached full growth.

Flowering Period
Bulbs will flower in 7-10 weeks as a general rule. In winter the flowering time will be longer than in spring. Set up your planting schedule between October and April with this in mind. To achieve continuous bloom, plant at intervals of 2 weeks for stunning color in your home or garden.

After-Bloom Care
After-Flowering.
After the amaryllis has stopped flowering, it can be made to flower again. Cut the old flowers from the stem after flowering, and when the stem starts to sag, cut it back to the top of the bulb.
Leaf Growth and Development.
Continue to water and fertilize as normal all summer, or for at least 5-6 months, allowing the leaves to fully develop and grow. When the leaves begin to yellow, which normally occurs in the early fall, cut the leaves back to about 2 inches from the top of the bulb and remove the bulb from the soil.
Bulb Storage.
Clean the bulb and place it in a cool (40-50 deg. F), dark place such as the crisper of your refrigerator for a minimum of 6 weeks. Caution: Do not store amaryllis bulbs in a refrigerator that contains apples, this will sterilize the bulbs. Store the bulbs for a minimum of 6 weeks.
Plant Again. After 6 weeks you may remove bulbs whenever you would like to plant them. Plant bulbs 8 weeks before you would like them to bloom.

Juniegirl

Thanks a million I copied that ....directions.

Mine is starting the 3rd bloom now ..And I will try to keep it going.

Thanks.....Theres a place for girls like you..

b

Bless you sweetheart--I do try--

My amaryllis finally bloomed. At least 4 of of the 5 buds have so far---I just could not wait any longer to show it to you all.


behind it is one of my house plants that came in a basket Rod gave me for Valentines day the first year we lived here. Its name escapes me--sorry.

Oh Carol, such a pretty colour as well. Very nice.

Oh, Carol - doesn't that just say it all?!? The reason we all love gardening?
That is so beautiful!


I'm pretty sure that plant you have behind it is a dracaena.

yes it think so too--but it is the type I cannot remember.

and thanks so much to the both of you.

:ding: :ding:

How pretty the amaryliss is ......
It sort of shines also..
My 3 new ones arent doing a thing..
Wahhhhhhhhhh

beautiful! thanks for sharing

My amaryllis is growing now--BUt I am getting just leaves---what have I done wrong.

you get leaves first carol. give it more time.

I know it gets leaves first, Jiffy--but--it has been several weeks---I wll try to be more patient though--thanks.

JunieGirl you've done nothing wrong on your part...nothing! It's probably just your bulb's own mechanism is a bit off. They'll grow just leaves if the bulb doesn't have enough energy to bloom (kinda akward comparison but it's like having a baby: it takes a lot of energy for the kid to meet the world and some mothers pass out). The bulb probably doesn't have enough nutrients. This year, fertilize your bulbs more frequently with a balanced fertilizer (I guess a high N number may work since it has leaves only, but do keep in mind Nitrogen can burn roots in excess). Sorry to say it probably will not bloom this year. One of the bulbs that I bought is doing the same thing: leaves for about three months now.

Yes, the bulb already has the makings for next year's blooms when it goes dormant if it was able to. Feeding it will help it manufacture enough stored energy to bloom next time. So enjoy the green this year and feed it at 1/2 strength of what your food manufacturer says. And it may just bloom late for you too. I have had an occasional one with it's own timetable.

I have various plant foods but when do I feed this Amaryllis--do you mean now, or in the summer when I let it go dormant or when???

You need to feed during its growing season. Not when it is dormant. It is making next season's blooms with the energy it gets from this year's growth.

ok then--that is what I did wrong--I dont think I fed it last year (dont remember if I did)--I will feed it now--thanks

I just joined Junigirls club.

All leaves and no show since before christmas..........They did me in .
No flowers..
But it was fun trying..

Well Barb I guess we have to just feed it this year and hope for the best for next year, huh?? Unless I find a plant specific food, I will water it with houseplant food all this year.

If I find an Amaryllis food I will share that info with you.

Thank your sweetie..

I followed the dumb directions for ama in my VAN ENSELEN INC..

FALLL CATALOG.
iT FAILED.

DAAAAAAA

Oh Barb I am so very sorry---

Guess I will have to try a new trick..

b

I will try extra hard to find a plant food for the Amaryllis..

I'm in the same boat so I guess it's time to break out the fertilizer.