How do you care for an amaryllis plant Sarah Raven?
Aspect & position: Amaryllis need lots of light to flower, but it’s important to keep them out of harsh direct sunlight. Filtered, bright light is best. Amaryllis is a tender bulb, so needs to be grown inside and remain frost free in the winter. The Amaryllis flower usually blooms once a year. Consistent care and patience will ensure that your Amaryllis will brighten your home with stunning flowers year after year. But you don’t have to wait another year for them to bloom again.If you want blooms on December 25, plant amaryllis bulbs the first week of November. If you’re not too fussy about the actual timing of the bloom, then start them anytime during the month of November. It’s not like you’d be sad to have a giant red flower blooming in your house in January.
What is the secret to growing amaryllis?
The secret to keeping amaryllis thriving for years is to keep the plants actively growing after they have finished blooming. After the flowers have faded, cut them off to prevent seed formation. Continue to care for your amaryllis as you would a houseplant, watering and fertilizing as needed. When fall approaches (well before any danger of frost), bring the potted bulb indoors. Put it in a cool, relatively dark place (garage or basement) and stop watering.
What do I do with my amaryllis after it is done blooming?
After amaryllis blooms, allow the leaves to grow and nourish the bulb, then gradually reduce watering as the plant enters dormancy, and finally store it in a cool, dark place to prepare for the next bloom cycle. All they need to bloom again is a season in the garden to replenish the bulbs. Giving the bulbs a summer vacation of fresh air, sunshine and moist, fertile soil is the best way to keep them healthy and to increase their size and flowering potential. Amaryllis thrive best in bright, indirect light.