How to Care for Amaryllis Bulbs
The amaryllis plant can add unmatched color and beauty both inside homes and in summer gardens. Taking care in bulb selection, soil preparation and planting the bulb can make a big difference in the quality of the flower produced. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- 1 amaryllis bulb
- 1 flower pot eight inches in diameter
- 1 5-pound bag of compost enriched potting soil
- 1 cup of pea gravel
Instructions
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1
Purchase an amaryllis bulb from a garden supply store. Check the date on the box to ensure it is a current season bulb.
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2
Store the bulb in refrigerator at 40 to 50 degrees if you are not able to plant it right away.
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3
Fill a small bowl with two inches of warm water and place bulb in the bowl. Allow bulb to soak in warm water for two to three hours.
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4
Pour one cup of pea gravel into the bottom of the eight-inch pot to provide drainage.
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5
Fill the pot half full with compost enriched potting soil. Use your fingers to carve out a two-inch-deep and three-inch-wide hole in the center of the pot.
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6
Place the bulb, root side down, into the hole, being careful to not damage any roots.
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Add potting soil until the bulb is covered and only the stem protrudes from the surface. Use your fingers to compact and firm the soil around the bulb. Add more soil if necessary to keep the bulb covered.
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8
Place the potted bulb in direct sunlight and give it about half a cup of water. Maintain a temperature of 68 to 72 degrees F in the room where the bulb is located.
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9
Continue watering lightly (half a cup at a time) every forth day until green shoots appear from bulb. Increase water quantity to a full cup as stem growth begins. The bulb will produce flowers in seven to 10 weeks.
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10
Cut flowers from the stems once the color fades and the flowers begin to droop. Continue watering the plant until the green leaves droop and lose color, then cut the stems back to the top of the bulb.
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Continue to water and fertilize to produce new leaves and a possible second set of blooms. Once these fade, cut the stems back to the bulb.
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12
Remove the bulb from the soil and it clean, using a clean, dry towel. Store in a refrigerator for a minimum of six weeks before planting again.
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Tips & Warnings
Larger bulbs produce more flowers.
Do not store bulbs in a refrigerator containing apples, as they will make the bulb sterile.
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Comments
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Hi! Can I follow the same steps and expect good results in a place like Malaysia. Our temp is around 80F and even more in real hot days; our rainfall can be quite high too.
