‘Tis the season for giving…and receiving! If the lists of gifts you have given or received include the ever-popular amaryllis, you may be left thinking: This flower is gorgeous! But what will I do with it once it is finished blooming?

In all my searching online, I’ve found it difficult to locate any straight-forward and concise information regarding the care of an amaryllis once it has finished its’ bloom cycle. However, it is very possible and quite simple to care for your amaryllis and encourage it to bloom again! I thought I would compile my own experiences along with other tips and tricks I’ve heard or read for my readers all in one place:

1. Once the amaryllis bloom has faded (typically in January if grown for the holidays), the flower stalk should be cut back as you would with most plants grown from flower bulbs. This will enable the bulb to make more food and energy for the bulb itself, rather than into producing seeds. Be sure to give the bulb lots of light and warmth at this point.
2. Continue to allow the amaryllis foliage to grow by placing them in a warm, south-facing window (if possible) and provide just enough water so that the soil does not dry out. Once the temperatures at nighttime are consistently above 50 degrees F, the bulb can be moved outdoors if desired. For the best show of blooms during the next cycle, the foliage should be allowed to grow for 4-6 months.
3. Unlike some other bulbs, amaryllis do NOT need a cold period but DO require a dormancy period. After this 4-6 month growth period (typically in June), begin to withhold water. If you have your amaryllis bulb in a pot outdoors, attempt to eliminate any rain water from reaching the soil by either tipping the pot on its side or covering it.
4. Once the leaves are completely dry and brown (this should take just a few weeks from the time water is withheld), remove them by cutting them off at the crown of the bulb. If the bulb has been growing outdoors, bring inside once temperatures fall below 50 degrees F.
5. An amaryllis bulb requires two to three months of dormancy in order to rejuvenate itself for the next cycle. To prepare the bulb for this period, remove it from the soil and allow it to dry. Remove any excess dirt but gently brushing and/or washing the bulb. Place the bulb in a cool, dry place where you won’t forget it’s there
6. After this 2-3 month dormancy period has passed (typically in early October), replant the bulb and water it once to “wake it up” from its slumber. When it dries out, water again lightly and continue this process until new growth appears.
7. Once new growth begins (typically in late October), move the pot to the sunniest window you have and water well but be sure to avoid overwatering which is one of the biggest culprits for rotten amaryllis. However, do not allow the soil to dry out in between waterings as you did prior to the new growth. Once the blooms appear, the plant can be moved to a somewhat less sunny spot to prolong the bloomtime.
8. Repeat above steps once bloom has faded!

Hopefully these steps will help you to enjoy your amaryllis over and over again or perhaps you can pass them along to the recipients of the amaryllis YOU will give this year! After all, they make great gifts for the “hard-to-shop” for people on your list, such as the mailman, the dog-walker, the hair dresser, or maybe even your grandmother!

Good luck to you as you prepare for the upcoming Christmas season…remember to take some time to relax and enjoy this wonderful time of year!

With hands in the dirt and head in the clouds,

These indoor blooms make wonderful gifts and come in a variety colors!

Amaryllis: The Gift that Keeps on Giving!

As hard as it is to believe, the holidays are just around the corner. That being said, whether you’re the organized shopper who bought everyone’s Christmas gift over the summer or you’re the procrastinator without a clue, there’s bound to be someone who seems to have everything. Or what about that person that you think might drop by and need a gift “just in case”? Have you thought about your child’s teacher or Great Aunt Gertrude or your hair stylist?

How about a unique gift that they will actually enjoy? Try bringing plant life to the cold days by giving an indoor bulb! One of the most common of these indoor growing bulbs is the Amaryllis. Now I already know what you’re thinking: I don’t want to give a gift that requires WORK…let alone a plant that I know will never survive. So what if Gertrude’s thumb isn’t that green! The best part about these gifts is that they are extremely EASY to grow and fun to watch! Have grandchildren that are interested in the way things grow but are bored with the “expandable sponge animals”? Give them each an amaryllis bulb to plant and record the progress! And the best part: many times bulb websites such as Holland Bulb Farms sell these indoor bulbs in giftbox kits which include everything you need to grow the bulb. Sure takes the difficulty out of a unique gift, doesn’t it?

A close up picture of my sister's Amaryllis on her desk at work.

Allow me to tell you about my sister: My dear sister, a wonderful person full of great ideas and motivation, is not gifted with the talent of “growing things.” Or maybe better said, she has difficulty keeping plants alive Yet as far as I’m concerned, every house could benefit from some “greenery” so I gave her an amaryllis. Of course, I received the response I knew I would: “Oh thanks, Bridget. But…ah…you know how I am with plants. Do I have to water it?” I laughed and assured her that even SHE couldn’t mess this one up. I also told her that the great thing about amaryllis is that they only need to be watered once a week! Sure enough, three weeks later, I received an email from her, pictures attached. She had taken her amaryllis to her office and it had bloomed beautifully! Her only complaint was that she couldn’t get any work done because her co-workers would constantly stop to ask her what the gorgeous plant on her desk was called!

So why not try giving a unique gift this year rather than the same old gift card to McDonald’s or gaudy Christmas ornament? The blooms last for weeks and they couldn’t be easier to grow!

Until next time,

Have a question for Bridget? Be sure to email her at bridget@bulbblog.com. Have your question featured in the blog and receive $5.00 off your next order with www.hollandbulbfarms.com!