Care & Maintenance for Amaryllis
Frequently given as holiday gifts, amaryllis bulbs can last a long time with proper care. They make excellent landscape plants in warm climates, and gardeners in cooler climates can grow them outdoors in pots. Does this Spark an idea?
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Indoors
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Plant amaryllis bulbs in a 6-inch diameter pot with about 1/3 of the bulb sitting above the soil. Water thoroughly after planting and weekly thereafter. Avoid getting water into the nose of the bulb. Keep the pot in a brightly lit area but out of direct sunlight. Fertilize with a slow-release fertilizer according to the package's directions during the growing season. Cut off flower stalks once the flowers fade.
Outdoors
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Amaryllis bulbs are tender bulbs that are left in the ground year-round in U.S. Department of Agriculture Hardiness Map zones 8 to 10. In cooler climates, they are left outdoors for the growing season and brought indoors in the fall, when frost threatens. Plant them in a rich, well-drained soil in partial shade.
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End of Season
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Amaryllis bulbs need a rest period in winter. Place them in a storage area with temperatures around 55 degrees Fahrenheit for eight to 10 weeks. Stop watering while the bulb is in storage.
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References
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