How to Grow Amaryllis Successfully
Amaryllis produces colorful flowers from individual bulbs. The plant comes from South America and can only be grown in gardens in the extreme southern portions of the United States. While the remainder of the country is too cold to successfully grow amaryllis plants, the bulbs can thrive if planted indoors in pots. Potted amaryllis plants require regular exposure to the sun and placement in a warm area of your home. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Pot
- Potting soil
- Plastic container or bucket
- Amaryllis bulb
- Flower supports
Instructions
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1
Mix potting soil with warm water in a plastic container or bucket, then fill a 7-inch pot halfway with the moist potting soil. The soil should feel damp when you touch it but should not be waterlogged. Use a potting soil intended for flowering bulbs.
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2
Place one amaryllis bulb in the soil and cover with moist potting soil, leaving the top 1/3 of the bulb uncovered. Press the soil down into the pot and lightly water the plant.
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3
Put the pot in a sunny window or other warm area of your home. Keep the temperature around the plant between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
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4
Water the plant with warm water when the soil feels dry. Avoid overwatering, as it can cause bulb rot.
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5
Rotate the amaryllis plant frequently to prevent the stalks from leaning in one direction. The plant will begin to grow approximately two to eight weeks after you pot it. As the stalks grow, you may need to insert flower supports into the pot to support them.
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6
Cut off the flowers once the amaryllis has bloomed, but leave the foliage intact. The plant will not bloom again for another year. Keep the plant in a sunny place and water when the soil is dry. Use fertilizer monthly.
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7
Remove the leaves when the weather turns cool in the fall. Store the plant in a dark, cool area, such as a basement, for eight to 10 weeks. Repot the bulb, water it and wait for new growth and blooms to emerge.
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Tips & Warnings
When the weather becomes warm, you can place your potted amaryllis plant outdoors or plant it in your garden. Bring in the pot or plant when the weather starts to become cool.
You can place two or three bulbs in one pot if you use a pot that is 10 inches in diameter or larger.
Some amaryllis plants come already potted. If you buy one of these plants, you will only need to water it and wait for stalks and blooms to appear.
Avoid placing the plant in cold or drafty areas or exposing it to temperatures under 60 degrees Fahrenheit, as cold may discourage growth.
References
- Photo Credit Amaryllis image by Nette from Fotolia.com
