How to Grow Amaryllis Outdoors
Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) will bloom when planted in the ground. The plants are hardy where the soil does not freeze in the winter. Grown for their impressive dinner plate-sized flowers, amaryllis are easy to grow and, best of all, are perennial. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- copper tape
- bone meal
- egg shells
- bamboo stake
- superphosphate fertilizer
Instructions
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Plant amaryllis bulbs in the fall for spring bloom.
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Select a planting site in full sun or under the canopy of a deciduous tree.
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Prepare the soil by amending with superphosphate or bone meal. Crushed egg shells can be incorporated into soil to add calcium and improve texture.
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Plant bulbs one foot apart in rich, fast draining soil. The tops of the bulb neck should be at the surface of the soil.
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Protect resting bulbs from slugs and snails. If planting in raised beds, use copper tape around the border.
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Water immediately after planting to settle the soil and to encourage the bulbs to grow. After the initial watering, keep the soil only slightly moist to prevent roots from rotting.
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Once the foliage begins to grow, water regularly until winter rains take over.
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Use a bamboo stake to support the flower stalk if it appears weak or floppy. Be very careful not to pierce the bulb.
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Cut off flowers once they begin to fade. Sometimes a new flower bud will follow.
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Continue regular watering after the plants stop blooming. Treat them as an honored guests with regular applications of fertilizer. Strong foliage means strong bulbs for next years flowers.
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Cut back on watering in late summer. When the foliage dries completely, withhold water and allow plants to dry out while the bulbs "rest."
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Dig and store amaryllis bulbs if you plan on planting other flowers in the same area. Watering the soil will cause the dormant bulbs to rot.
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Tips & Warnings
Select the largest bulbs you can afford. Large bulbs mean big flowers.
Look for firm bulbs with no scars, nicks or visible damage.
Amaryllis bulbs are pricey, but they are perennial and will come back year after year when cared for properly.
Amaryllis planted in drifts look very nice on a hillside or slope.
Too much water just after planting may cause bulbs to rot. Keep the soil just barely moist until foliage appears.
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Comments
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tillie anderson, amaryllis is avery pretty llis for garden/home.
