How to Grow Amaryllis Offset Bulbs

The beautiful amaryllis is a member of the lily family. Popular as Christmas gifts, the amaryllis can also be enjoyed year round. Repotting bulblets from amaryllis plant is a great way to add to your collection. It takes about two years for an amaryllis bulblet to produce flowers, and an additional two years of flowering life before an amaryllis bulblet will produce bulblets of its own. With some careful planning, and staggered planting, you can enjoy amaryllis flowers all year.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Mature amaryllis plant
• Pot with drainage holes
• Stones or pieces of broken pottery
• Sterile potting medium with pH of 6.0 to 6.8
• 20-20-20 water-soluble fertilizer

Growng Amaryllis Offset Bulbs

1. Amaryllis bulbs that are 2 years old or older will produce offset bulblets. Carefully remove the bulblets from the parent bulb.

2. Select a pot that is approximately 3 to 4 inches larger than the bulblet. Fill the bottom with 1 inch of stone or broken pottery. This will aid with soil drainage.

3. Add the sterile potting mix until the pot is about 2/3 full.

4. Center the bulblet in the pot. Make sure that 1/3 to 1/2 the bulb is above the rim of the pot. Add sterile potting mix around the bulblet, gently tamping it down.

5. Water the bulb thoroughly from the top and bottom, making sure not to get water in the "nose," or top of the bulblet.

6. Place the bulblet in a bright room with daytime temperatures of 70 to 75 degrees F and a nighttime range of 50 to 60 degrees F.

7. Fertilize the amaryllis bulblet with a 20-20-20 water-soluble fertilizer at half the recommended dose when the bulb starts to sprout. After this first dose, fertilize twice a month.

8. Amaryllis bulbs need a dormant period. When the leaves begin to yellow, trim them to within 2 inches of the top of the bulb. Lift the bulb from the soil, and shake off excess. Store the bulb in a dark, cool (40 to 50 degree F) room for a minimum of eight weeks before repotting (Steps 1 through 7).

9. Once the amaryllis bulblet flowers (two years from planting), keep it out of direct sunlight and in a cool (65 to 70 degree F) room to prolong the blooming period. When the bloom starts to fade, clip it off at the top of the stalk. When the stalk begins to wilt, clip it off 2 inches from the top of the bulb. Continue to water and fertilize the bulb as usual.

Tips & Warnings

• Amaryllis bulbs like to be pot-bound. Select pots that are 3 to 4 inches larger than the bulb. Plan to pot the amaryllis bulb eight weeks before you want it to bloom. Amaryllis bulbs prefer acidic soil, choose a potting mix with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5. You can also use peat moss mixed with perlite as the potting medium.
• Do not overwater the amaryllis bulb as this will cause it to rot. Keep the potting medium moist not wet. Amaryllis bulbs need to be dormant for at least eight weeks. Not allowing the bulb a sufficient dormant period will cause the bulb to die.

Resources

• Amaryllis Bulbs