How to Winterize Amaryllis
The amaryllis originated in tropical South America. The plant requires warm temperatures to survive and flourish. You may successfully grow this plant in your outdoor garden during the warm summer months. You must winterize amaryllis to protect it during the colder months of winter. Where you live will determine which method you must use to keep your amaryllis alive. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Consult a plant hardiness zone map (see Resource below) to determine your growing zone. In order to survive the winter, amaryllis requires the warmest zones. The plant should be kept above 60 degrees F at all times. Zones 9 and 10 provide the best opportunity for your amaryllis to survive year-round outdoors. Zone 8 plants benefit from a little additional protection.
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Mulch the area surrounding your plant near the end of autumn. This will provide some water retention in the soil, as well as warmth in the event of a sudden temperature drop. Average garden compost works fine for this purpose. Avoid using mulch or compost mixes that contain heavy fertilizers. The plants do not need to be fed in the winter months.
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Bring in your amaryllis if you live in a climate cooler than zone 8. Dig out your flower bulb after it has begun to go dormant, but while the cool temperatures still remain in the low 50s. Trim off the top to within a few inches of the bulb. Remove all excess soil. Use care to prevent damage to the bulb.
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Place the bulb in a cool, dark area to provide a dormant period. You may want it to bloom again during the winter months inside your house. In this case, keep the bulb in its dormant state until approximately four months before its desired bloom time. This may mean bringing it in a little earlier in the fall.
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Plant the bulb into a flower pot after the dormant period. Place bulb with point facing up in average potting soil. Allow it to warm up slowly by placing it in an area that receives sunlight but retains a temperature in between 60 and 65 degrees F. Water thoroughly.
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Move your pot into a warmer location after the first week or so. Continue to keep a close eye on the moisture and water when the soil begins to dry. The amaryllis requires soil that is neither too wet nor too dry. You can use a liquid houseplant fertilizer every couple of weeks during the bloom time.
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Clip spent blossoms on your amaryllis plant as they begin to wither. Continue watering your plant until all the blooms are gone. You may transplant it back into your garden after the soil has begun to warm. Do not plant until all chance of frost has passed and the night time temperatures remain above 50 degrees F.
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