Amaryllis bulbs can bloom both outdoors, in the summer, and indoors, in the winter. They produce large, bright, showy blooms that can be forced more than once.
Amaryllis (Hippeastrum sp.) is a beautiful flowering bulb that is relatively easy to grow. It can be grown outdoors, when the weather is mild, then forced to bloom again indoors, in the winter months. Gardeners like them for their bright color indoors in the winter and the ease with which they can be forced to bloom. They are a great choice for an indoor spectacle.
Generally, one amaryllis bulb will produce several leaves and one central flower spike. Depending on the species, an amaryllis will produce 3-15 large flowers at a time, ranging in color from red, pink, and orange to yellow, light green and white, with many combinations in between.
To plant amaryllis, bury the bulb, up to its neck in rich potting soil and water well. Place the bulb in a warm sunny location and water infrequently, gradually increasing as stems appear. Flowers will generally appear 7 to 10 weeks after planting and will last longer in the winter than in the summer. To force a second bloom, cut the flower spike back when it has finished blooming. They will do well outdoors in a warm, sunny spot during the summer months but must be moved indoors when the temperatures cool.
If your amaryllis has been outdoors all summer, gradually stop watering it in August and let the foliage die back. When it has died completely, the bulb is ready to move into its dormant state. Take it from its pot and remove any old leaves, leaving the roots intact. Bulbs can be stored in a cool dark place for 8-10 weeks until you are ready to replant it, indoors.
Be careful not to overwater the bulbs, as this will rot the amaryllis in its container. Check the saucer under the pot and empty any standing water from it. An amaryllis should receive minimal watering when little or no leaves are present, but more when the plant is flowering.
Amaryllis will produce offspring in both seed form and in the form of miniature bulbs that cling to the “mother”. The miniature bulbs will be an exact copy of the mother and may be removed and replanted, when they fall off the main bulb easily. The seeds may have crossed with other amaryllis and may not produce the same flowers but it can be an interesting experiment to plant the seeds and see what happens.
Grow amaryllis both inside and out for a pop of color and a show of beauty. With some care and planning, you can have amaryllis flowers all year long.
