The amaryllis flower is a sight to behold with its striking colours and superb petals. They are grown from bulbs since the seeds can take years to grow. They bloom in the spring and summer but, if grown indoors, they can bloom during the winter too. If you want to grow these plants in your garden or as a potted plant, keep these tips in mind.
Bulb selection
The key to success when you wish to grow an amaryllis flower is choosing the best bulb. Look for the largest ones you can find because this will determine the size of the plant. Make sure that the bulb is firm and dry. If you purchase a pre-potted bulb, make sure that there is a shoot starting to grow. You don't want to purchase a dud.
The right planter
The pot you choose for your amaryllis flower does not need to be large. It does, however, need to have adequate drainage holes. The pot should also be of the heavier variety since these plants tend to become top heavy and this can cause the entire pot to tip over later on. Use a light potting mix and keep the top third of the bulb pointing up.
Lighting
Your amaryllis flower will enjoy plenty of bright but indirect sunlight. Make sure that you rotate the plant regularly so that the stalks grow straight instead of leaning towards the light.
Older plants
When your amaryllis flower gets older, it will need to be watered more frequently and it will also need to be moved to a cooler spot when in bloom. This will ensure that the blooms last longer on the plant.
Re-blooming
It's not always easy to get your amaryllis flower to re-bloom but it's also not impossible. Cut the flowers off once they have died and do this with the stalk too. Once the leaves have died off, you can dig up the bulb, remove any dead foliage and store the bulb for about 8 weeks. Do not let the bulb freeze. After this, you can plant the bulb again and tend to it as you would any amaryllis bulb. It takes up to 10 weeks for the new plant to bloom.
Yes, your amaryllis flower will require some degree of special care. However, the blooms that it produces will certainly make your efforts more than worthwhile. You can trim some flowers and use them in vase arrangements too. This is one way of getting the most out of your plant.
