Growing Amaryllis

 

Say hello to Amaryllis!

Amaryllis bulbs are such a fun thing to grow in these long winter days.

I purchased pre-potted amaryllis bulbs this year, gifting some of them to my daughter and daughter-in-laws for Christmas, and keeping a few for myself.  I thought that my Sunday School class would enjoy growing a bulb, and took one into class.  The children enjoyed watering it and watching it grow-amaryllis bulbs shoot up very fast-and it bloomed prolifically, much to our joy.

Lovely pink and cream blossoms.

We were out of town for a week and

my sweet Sunday School scholar, Rachel,

faithfully watered and tended to the bulb while we were gone.

It bloomed so beautifully for us!

We also grow 2 jade plants in our class.

They are hard to kill!

Growing Amaryllis

• Amaryllis are very easy to grow.
• Amaryllis bulbs can usually be purchased from the big stores, already potted up.  This is the easiest way to start them.
• If you have bare bulbs, plant them in a pot of good potting soil, leaving the top 1/3 of the bulb exposed.
• Keep the soil barely moist-about 1/4 cup of water per week, until growth begins.
• They like a cool room-60-65 degrees.  (This is probably why our Sunday School bulb bloomed so beautifully!)
• Keep in bright, indirect sun.
• Use a pot that is 6-8 inches and is heavy.  The stalks can grow quite tall and when it blooms it can become top heavy.
• The bigger the bulb, the better.
• Amaryllis should bloom 6-8 weeks after planting.  My bloomed much earlier.
• The bloom time should last a few weeks.  Dead head the spent blooms to keep tidy.
• After it is done blooming, cut back the flowing stalk.
• Continue to water and fertilize, the bulb will continue to grow its leaves.  The leaves need to grow to feed the bulb for re-blooming.
• When the danger of frost has passed, the amaryllis can be placed outside.  It can be left in its original pot if it has drainage holes. If there are no drainage holes, the bulb will rot.  The bulb can also be planted out in the flower garden where the foliage can be enjoyed.
• At the end of summer, quit watering and let the foliage die back.
• Store the bulb in a cool, dark place for at least 8 weeks to let it rest.
• After it’s rest, you can re-pot the bulb in fresh soil, and begin watering again.  It should re-bloom for you in 6-8 weeks.

Have you ever grown an amaryllis bulb?

*

Matthew 6:34

Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow;

for tomorrow will care for itself.