Grow an Amaryllis Bulb

Few things are as easy and as beautiful to grow than an amaryllis bulb. These beauties are sold as a giant bulb around the holidays and will produce beautiful blooms just in time for Christmas. Amaryllis flowers are generally white, red and pink, or a combination of all three (although some are orange, green or deep burgundy).

When you bring your bulb home from the shop, pot it up (pointed end up) with some good potting soil within approximately 1 inch of the space around the bulb, in a pot with drainage. One bulb can usually be planted in a 6 inch diameter pot. Place the pot by a bright window, and turn regularly so that it catches the light. It is best to use potting soil; soil from the garden is unlikely to allow proper drainage.

Amaryllis plants are tropical and so do not require a great deal of water. Water it when the top of the soil feels dry. Do not allow the bulb to sit in wet soil and avoid watering down the crown of the bulb. I tend to water my indoor bulbs with ice cubes (one or two approximately once a week). This is a controversial method as many gardeners say it will shock the plant. However, for me, it allows just enough water to feed the bulb (I do this with my orchids as well).

For most store bought varieties, you do not need to fertilize the plant. However, if you decide to keep your bulb for the following year, you will need to fertilize it like any other house plant.

Most varieties will begin to bloom within 6 to 8 weeks of planting; some may take up to 10 weeks. Don't panic if you do not see flowers right away: some bulbs sprout leaves and then the flower shoot, while others send the flower shoot up first. To prolong the blooms, move the pot out of direct sunlight. If need be, stake the flower stalk if it's top heavy (also, ensure that its pot is sturdy enough when you first plant it to take the weight of the plant once it blooms).

I like to surround my bulb with other decorative foliage. I actually scavenge my backyard for moss, lichen and pine cones, and surround my bulb with that. I have no idea if this is good for my bulbs but I like the way they look and this does not seem to impede the plant's growth.

When the flowers start to fade, you can deadhead them or snip them off. When the entire flower stalk starts to wilt, cut the stalk to just above where it sprouts from the bulb.

Amaryllis flowers are poisonous so beware if you have very young kids or pets who may wish to try a bite. That said, they are really easy to grow and so are perfect for novice gardeners.

Many people throw the bulb out after it flowers or after the holidays. However, with proper care, your amaryllis bulb can go on producing flowers year after year. After the flowers have faded, cut the flower stalk back to within 1 inch of the bulb. Continue to water and feed the plant regularly with a houseplant fertilizer. Amaryllis will grow a number of leaves throughout the spring and summer. You can move your plant outdoors when the weather is warm (I'm in Canada). In mid-August, start withholding water and let the foliage die back naturally. Store the dormant bulb in a cool, dark and dry place for a minimum of 8 weeks.

When it is 6 to 8 weeks before you want the amaryllis to bloom again, repot the bulb in fresh potting soil. Water slightly at first and increase when you see new growth.

Amaryllis bulbs can be tricky to rebloom. I have not had a lot of luck in this regard but mostly because my wonderful partner tends to throw out my stored bulbs during his yearly garage cleaning (arggghhhhh!). If your bulb doesn't bloom again this year, simply repeat it for the next year using the methods above. Or, you can be like me, and buy a new one!

Disclaimer: this is my personal method and I am by no means an educated botanist. I'm just a girl who likes plants.