growing amaryllis indoors

Amaryllis bulbs in bloom

Amaryllis (hippeastrum species) brighten winter days with their spectacular 6 to 10 inch trumpet shaped flowers in shades of red, pink, salmon and white. Each stem will carry four to six flowers and a large bulb grows two to three stems, blooming for six to seven weeks. Amaryllis bulbs have lived 50 or more years with proper care. Purchase Amaryllis as a bare root bulb or already potted from local garden stores.

Amaryllis bulbs

Healthy roots of the amaryllis bulb

Clay pots for Amaryllis bulbs

Placing the amaryllis bulb in the pot.

Amaryllis bulbs

The amaryllis stem will grow towards the light.Turn the plant daily.

Amaryllis grown as an evergreen plant.

Amaryllis bulbs beginning to grow

Choose bulbs with firm white flesh that show no signs of injury, decay, mold or rot. Wise shoppers add to their collection when bulbs go on sale in January.

Some of the roots may be dry, but should not be missing, broken or damaged. The more fleshy roots on the bulb the quicker it will begin to grow.

Plant amaryllis in a pot that is one-inch larger than the diameter of the bulb and twice as high. Clay pots are a popular choice, as they will not topple over when the top heavy flowers bloom. Place a paper towel over the drainage hole and fill the pot one-third to one-half full with an indoor/outdoor potting soil.

Moisten the potting soil when the pot is half full to give the roots an evenly watered surface.

Gently guide the fleshy roots downward and tuck soil around them. Add more soil and lightly tamp around the roots and bulb. Set the bulb so that the top one-third is above the soil line. The crown of the bulb will rot if exposed to soil and water.

Water the pot and allow excess to drain through the drainage hole(s). Place the pot in a location with temperatures above 65 degrees. Move the pot to a sunny window when active growth begins and turn the plant daily to help the flower stem grow straight. If the grower forced the bulb into dormancy, it can take a few weeks for growth to begin. To extend the life of the flowers, move the plant out of direct sunlight and into a cooler position when the flower buds begin to show color. The plants may need a stake to hold up the flowers.

Take your amaryllis outdoors for the summer after the last frost. Place the pot in a shaded location at first and gradually move to a full sun garden bed to acclimate it to the summer sun. Sink clay pots into the garden no lower than the soil level in the pot. Alternately, remove the bulb from the pot and plant directly into the soil with the top 1/3 exposed. This method requires careful repotting in the fall to protect the fleshy roots. Water and fertilize regularly over the summer, but do not allow pots or bulbs to become water logged in heavy rains or the bulb will rot. Bring the plants indoors before the first fall frost when the daytime temperatures range from 45 to 50 deg. F. Remove any yellowing leaves.

Place the amaryllis in a sunny window. Amaryllis are evergreen and do not require a dormancy period. Water only when the soil feels dry, over watering is the main reason plants fail. The plant will naturally begin the blooming cycle in January or February.

If you wish to force the bulb, stop watering before bringing in for the fall. Store the pot in a cool, dark basement or closet with temperatures around 45 to 50 degrees F. Do not water and allow the leaves to shrivel and dry up. Alternately, shake the soil off of the bulb and store in a cardboard box lined with newspaper. Check often for signs of rot or new growth. The bulb will rest for 8 to 12 weeks. Bring it into a sunny window when new growth appears or after the 12 weeks has passed. Water thoroughly but allow the top two inches of soil to dry until active growth has begun.

Amaryllis offshoots or bulblets

Amaryllis like to be pot bound and do not require repotting until the pot diameter is less than 1-inch of the bulb. Move to one pot size larger in the fall or after the dormant period if being forced. Bulblets that form on the side of the mother bulb can be left in the pot or twisted off and potted; they will bloom when they are three to four years old.

Watch for red blotch, a fungus disease that can disfigure the bulbs and flowers. Treat with a systemic fungicide. Some superficial pink spots on the outer layers of the bulb are normal as long as the interior is white and unblemished. The narcissus bulb fly (merodon sp.) may attack a bulb outdoors in the summer. The larvae worm their way into the bulb and cause rotting, wilting and distorted leaves. Destroy any infected bulbs.

With proper care, you can enjoy your amaryllis bulb for many years. Getting enough sun is key to producing flowers the next year. Place it in your sunniest window right after blooming and in a location with six or more hours of sun in the summer. Happy growing!

Share|