How to Care For the Amaryllis Flower
Amaryllis flowers can be beautiful flowers to grow. Whether planted indoors or outdoors, they should be started approximately eight weeks before the blooms are desired. When amaryllis bulbs are planted properly, they will provide a lovely bloom that resembles a lily. Amaryllis flowers can make stunning floral gifts and can also be an effective way to bring a touch of spring inside during a long, cold winter. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Potting soil
- Compost
- Container
- Trowel or shovel
- Water
- Refrigerator
- All-purpose fertilizer
Instructions
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1
Store the bulbs in a refrigerator vegetable crisper until ready to plant. Do not store the bulbs with apples because the apples will produce a chemical reaction in the amaryllis bulbs that will destroy them.
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2
Soak the amaryllis bulbs in lukewarm water for several hours immediately prior to planting.
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3
Fill a container with rich potting soil if planting in a container. If planting outside, prepare a planting area that is rich with compost material in the soil.
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4
Dig a hole into the container or in the ground so that the bulb will be positioned up to the neck area in the soil. Place the bulb into the hole carefully so the roots are not damaged. Pat down the soil around the bulb firmly to finish planting the bulb.
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5
Place the container in a place where it will receive sun. Water the bulb lightly in the days after planting. When green shoots appear, begin to give the amaryllis more water.
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6
Look for blooms approximately eight weeks after planting.
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7
Cut off the blooms after the amaryllis has finished blooming. When the stem sags, cut it all the way back to the bulb.
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8
Continue to water and feed the bulb for approximately six months. Use an all-purpose water soluble fertilizer every few weeks to fertilize. If the bulb is outside, cut back all of the growth in the autumn.
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9
Remove the bulb from the soil and clean the excess dirt from it. Place it back into the vegetable crisper drawer of the refrigerator for approximately six weeks.
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10
Begin the blooming process again by repeating steps 2 through 9.
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Tips & Warnings
If planting the amaryllis bulb outside, be sure that temperatures are warm enough. Low temperatures should not dip below approximately 68 degrees.
References
- Photo Credit http://mrg.bz/Wy3IVr
