Amaryllis : Basic Care

One of the largest and most reliable indoor flowering bulbs, Hollandia’s amaryllis will chase away winter gray with hot colors and enormous blooms. Children and adults delight in watching the sturdy stalks rocket to 30 or so inches, sometimes even blooming in just 21 days.

Amaryllis

About Your Bulbs

Hollandia selects top-grade amaryllis bulbs from the Netherlands and South Africa that are up to 36 centimeters wide to ensure strong and spectacular results. In this case, bigger is better because larger bulbs produce more flower scapes. Customers can chose from the amaryllis already started by our greenhouse staff or buy the bulbs and pot them up at home. Amaryllis can be planted from October until April and by staggering the planting time, flowering can extend well into the spring.

Planting and Growing Guide

Start with a clay or ceramic pot that is about two-inches wider in diameter than the bulb and at least as deep. A heavy pot (with a drainage hole) is needed so the plant does not topple over. At the bottom of the pot, put down a layer of gravel and then fill with a good potting mix. The bulb (pointed end up) should be halfway immersed in the soil. Water the bulb thoroughly after planting and put in a cool but sunny location. Amaryllis likes temperatures between 55 and 65 degrees. Water only when dry and feed twice a week with a liquid fertilizer. Buds should emerge in six to ten weeks. Stalks sometimes require staking, but if the pot is rotated regularly the plant should not lean too heavily in one direction. Flowers will last longer if the plant is removed from direct sunlight.

Aftercare

Amaryllis, if properly cared for, can be enjoyed for years. When flowers fade, cut them off but keep the leaves. Put the plant in a sunny window, water when dry, and feed with a slow-release fertilizer like Osmocote. Around July reduce watering to trigger dormancy. By late summer, cut off the yellow leaves and allow the pot to completely dry out. Store the pot in a cool dry room and do not water for two months. To wake it up, just repot the bulb, put in a sunny window and start watering again.

Forcing Amaryllis in Water

Start with one of Hollandia’s jars for forcing. They are both beautiful and functional. Fill the lower portion with water and set the bulb in the jar, adjusting the water level so it just touches the base of the bulb. Check daily and maintain the water level. Change the water completely when it gets cloudy. Set the bulb in a sunny and warm area and rotate occasionally to keep foliage from leaning in one direction. When buds start to color move the jar to a cooler location. Flowers will last longer there. To prevent the blooms from toppling, place three pieces of florist clay around the jar and press against both the sides of the bulb and the jar. Make sure the edges of the jar are dry so the clay will hold. Bulbs forced in water use most of their stored energy and will probably not rebloom so discard when done.