Tips for caring for your amaryllis
Published 6:50 pm Monday, November 30, 2015
Dishing the Dirt with the Extension Master Gardeners
Amaryllis plants have huge showy 6- to 10-inch trumpet shaped flowers, on 1- to 2-foot stalks and are easily grown in containers. Colors range from scarlet to white in color, with bicolor, and in single and double forms. Their natural bloom season is spring to summer; however they can be forced to bloom indoors at other times of the year. Many bulbs, or near blooming plants are given as gifts in winter to brighten up indoor areas.
To care for your amaryllis follow these guidelines:
If starting with a bulb, choose a large bulb that is firm and dry with no signs of mold or decay.
Plant in a container no more than two inches larger than the diameter of the bulb.
To pot, use a medium high in organic matter that drains well. (Two parts loam soil to one part perlite to one part peat or other organic matter.)
Place the bulb only half below the surface with the pointed end exposed. Press the soil and water thoroughly. Place container in a warm sunny spot. Do not water or fertilize again until it begins to grow.
When it begins to grow, or if you have a plant that is already started, apply fertilizer with a high phosphorous content every 10 days.
When the flower buds start to show color move out of direct sunlight to preserve the blossom. Feed monthly.
When the flowers fade cut flower stems to two inches. Remove only after they wither. Continue to water and fertilize indoors until danger of frost has passed.
Container and all can then be put in open ground in full sunlight or grown indoors in a sunny spot with six hours of daily sun, for the summer. Fertilize monthly.
Decrease water in late summer when leaves begin to turn yellow.
Before the first frost, allow soil to dry, bring the bulb and container in to a cool place, 40-45 degrees and do not water. Only remove foliage when it is dry and shriveled.
To force inside in winter keep bulb and container 2 ½ months prior in a cool dark area. Then bring it into bright light and water thoroughly. Flowers usually develop in 4-6 weeks.
Amaryllis like being pot bound so repot every three or four years. You may find you have additional small bulbs that you can pot for new plants. These may take two or three years to bloom.
The information for this article is given courtesy of the Extension Master Gardeners who are volunteers under direction of the Beaufort County Cooperative Extension. They are available through the hot line to answer your questions concerning lawns, vegetables, trees, ornamentals, fruits, plant problems and diseases, pests, soil and many other horticulture issues relating to gardening in North Carolina. The hot line telephone number is 252-946-0111 and the hours are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to noon. Callers can leave a voice message at that number or email the Master Gardeners a question at beaufortcomg@gmail.com and a volunteer will return the call on the next hot line work day.
Roxanne Holloman is a certified Extension Master Gardener.
Gardening Calendar December
Lawn Care
• Maintain cool season grasses by mowing as needed.
• Keep tree leaves from collecting on your lawn.
Fertilizing
• Spread ashes from the fireplace around gardens and bulb beds where soil pH is below 6.0. Avoid acid-loving plants. (3 lbs of ash = 1 lb of limestone)
• Now is the time to put out limestone if needed (it takes about three months for lime to change the soil’s pH)
• Fertilize houseplants as needed.
Planting
• Now is a good time to set out or transplant landscape plants if the ground isn’t frozen. Be sure to “open up” the root balls on container plants.
Pruning
• Prune berry-producing plants, if berries are desired in table arrangements over the holidays.
• Cut back herbaceous perennials after the frost kills the tops.
• Any dead or diseased wood can be pruned out anytime of the year.
• Weeds or unnecessary trees should be removed from the landscape.
Spraying
• None
Other Activities
• Keep your Christmas tree in water and away from heat sources.
• Poinsettias should be placed in the sunniest room in the house.
• If you have received your soil recommendations, apply lime as suggested. Don’t apply fertilizer until spring.
• Order fruit trees and grape vines now if you wish to plant them in February and March.
• Cover strawberries with pine straw or wheat barley to protect them from the cold.
• Continue putting the leaves from your yard into a compost bin.
• If you cover your shrubs, be cautious and use only burlap or white plastic.