Care tips for fresh Amaryllis
Amaryllis are beautiful flowers that can be enjoyed on their own or as part of an even more spectacular arrangement. Like any cut flower, each amaryllis stem needs to be properly tended to so that they last as long as possible.
The first thing to note is that these flowers have hollow stems and, as a result, it is normal for the stems to split. There is no reason to worry if you notice any splitting. You are going to need to trim the stems when they arrive but if you notice splitting after a few days, you don't need to worry. When trimming the stems, make sure that you use a sharp knife. These flowers have thick stems which can be difficult for a regular pair of scissors or sheers to handle. A dull knife can also crush the stem so make sure your knife is as sharp as can be.
Always cut the stems on an angle so that you increase the surface area for absorption and so that they don't rest flat on the bottom of the vase. It's also important to trim the stems according to the length of the vase. If in doubt, trim a small amount off and check. You can always trim again if need be.
Before you start trimming the stems, you need to get your vase ready and add water. Do not fill the vase with water. You should only add a few inches of water to cover the bottom portions of the stems. Place each stem in the water as soon as the stems are trimmed.
In most cases, your amaryllis will arrive in bud form or partially open. You might be tempted to expose your blooming flowers to additional light but this is not recommended. These flowers should be displayed in a relatively cool spot and never in direct sunlight. Indirect sunlight is ideal.
As soon as you notice any of the flowers start to deteriorate, you should trim them off immediately so that the other flowers on the stem can flourish. You might notice some curling in the ends of the stems and this is completely normal. If, for whatever reason, you want to keep the stems as long as possible without regular trimming and you want to prevent splitting and curling, you can use tape. Look for a clear, waterproof tape and wrap around the bottom part of the trimmed stems.
If you are worried about pollen falling from the flowers, you can pluck the anthers from each flower and you will no longer need to worry about this. This is also a great idea if you are extremely sensitive to pollen. While heavy pollen doesn't usually cause allergy problems, it doesn't hurt to play it safe.
