Caring for your Amaryllis
Preparation for Planting
The base and roots of the bulb should be placed in lukewarm water for a few hours. Remember, if you cannot plant the bulbs immediately after receiving them, store them at a cool temperature between 40-50 degrees F.
Planting
Plant bulbs in a nutritious potting compost, many are available pre-mixed. Plant the bulb no more than ¾ of the bulb to help prevent rotting. Press the soil down firmly to set the bulb securely in place after planting.
Placement and Watering
Place the potted bulb in a warm place with direct light since heat is necessary for the development of the stems. The ideal temperature is 68 to 70 degrees F. Water sparingly until the stem appears, then, as the bud and leaves appear, gradually water more. At this point, the stem will grow rapidly and flowers will develop after it has reached full growth. Water around the rim of the pot to avoid getting water into the neck of the bulb. Avoid overwatering.
Flowering Period
Bulbs will flower in 7-10 weeks as a general rule. In winter the flowering time will be longer than in spring. Set up your planting schedule between October and April with this in mind. To achieve continuous bloom, plant at intervals of 2 weeks for stunning color in your home or garden.
After-Bloom Care
After-Flowering. After the amaryllis has stopped flowering, it can be made to flower again. Cut the old flowers from the stem after flowering, and when the stem starts to sag, cut it back to the top of the bulb.
Leaf Growth and Development. Continue to water and fertilize as normal all summer, or for at least 5-6 months, allowing the leaves to fully develop and grow. Calculate the time you want the bulb to re-bloom and count back at least 14 weeks (six for storage and eight for re-growth and blooming). Cease watering to allow the foliage to wither and cut back to about 2 inches from the top of the bulb and remove the bulb from the soil.
Bulb Storage. Clean the bulb and place it in a cool (40-50 deg. F), dark place such as the crisper of your refrigerator for a minimum of 6 weeks. Caution: Do not store amaryllis bulbs in a refrigerator that contains apples, this will sterilize the bulbs. Store the bulbs for a minimum of 6 weeks.
Plant Again. After 6 weeks you may remove bulbs whenever you would like to plant them. Plant bulbs 8 weeks before you would like them to bloom.
Adapted from http://www.amaryllis.com/planting-and-care
Preparation for Planting
The base and roots of the bulb should be placed in lukewarm water for a few hours. Remember, if you cannot plant the bulbs immediately after receiving them, store them at a cool temperature between 40-50 degrees F.
Planting
Plant bulbs in a nutritious potting compost, many are available pre-mixed. Plant the bulb no more than ¾ of the bulb to help prevent rotting. Press the soil down firmly to set the bulb securely in place after planting.
Placement and Watering
Place the potted bulb in a warm place with direct light since heat is necessary for the development of the stems. The ideal temperature is 68 to 70 degrees F. Water sparingly until the stem appears, then, as the bud and leaves appear, gradually water more. At this point, the stem will grow rapidly and flowers will develop after it has reached full growth. Water around the rim of the pot to avoid getting water into the neck of the bulb. Avoid overwatering.
Flowering Period
Bulbs will flower in 7-10 weeks as a general rule. In winter the flowering time will be longer than in spring. Set up your planting schedule between October and April with this in mind. To achieve continuous bloom, plant at intervals of 2 weeks for stunning color in your home or garden.
After-Bloom Care
After-Flowering. After the amaryllis has stopped flowering, it can be made to flower again. Cut the old flowers from the stem after flowering, and when the stem starts to sag, cut it back to the top of the bulb.
Leaf Growth and Development. Continue to water and fertilize as normal all summer, or for at least 5-6 months, allowing the leaves to fully develop and grow. Calculate the time you want the bulb to re-bloom and count back at least 14 weeks (six for storage and eight for re-growth and blooming). Cease watering to allow the foliage to wither and cut back to about 2 inches from the top of the bulb and remove the bulb from the soil.
Bulb Storage. Clean the bulb and place it in a cool (40-50 deg. F), dark place such as the crisper of your refrigerator for a minimum of 6 weeks. Caution: Do not store amaryllis bulbs in a refrigerator that contains apples, this will sterilize the bulbs. Store the bulbs for a minimum of 6 weeks.
Plant Again. After 6 weeks you may remove bulbs whenever you would like to plant them. Plant bulbs 8 weeks before you would like them to bloom.
Adapted from http://www.amaryllis.com/planting-and-care
Caring for your Paperwhites
If you purchased potted Paperwhites (Narcissus) from Helen's Garden, they will be planted in soil with a top dressing of moss. Paperwhites can also be grown in just stones or pebbles. Make sure you keep the water level just to the bottom of the bulbs so the roots are getting water, but the bulb isn't submerged and prone to rotting. Paperwhites like bright light and cooler temperatures to prevent them from growing too tall. If you keep your home very warm, you can move them to a cooler location at night. Water sparingly to prevent the bulbs from rotting. I like to add a bare branch to the center of the display to help support the leaves and blooms. Chopsticks or sticks placed in a tepee style and tie together at the top can also add support. Add greenery and/or berried branches to dress up your pot. Even after your blooms fade, the foliage provides a pretty display for several weeks.
Have you ever heard that adding alcohol to the watering will stunt the growth of your Paperwhites? It's true, and here is a link to the Cornell University study that explains all about it.
http://www.hort.cornell.edu/miller/bulb/Pickling_your_Paperwhites.pdf
If you purchased potted Paperwhites (Narcissus) from Helen's Garden, they will be planted in soil with a top dressing of moss. Paperwhites can also be grown in just stones or pebbles. Make sure you keep the water level just to the bottom of the bulbs so the roots are getting water, but the bulb isn't submerged and prone to rotting. Paperwhites like bright light and cooler temperatures to prevent them from growing too tall. If you keep your home very warm, you can move them to a cooler location at night. Water sparingly to prevent the bulbs from rotting. I like to add a bare branch to the center of the display to help support the leaves and blooms. Chopsticks or sticks placed in a tepee style and tie together at the top can also add support. Add greenery and/or berried branches to dress up your pot. Even after your blooms fade, the foliage provides a pretty display for several weeks.
Have you ever heard that adding alcohol to the watering will stunt the growth of your Paperwhites? It's true, and here is a link to the Cornell University study that explains all about it.
http://www.hort.cornell.edu/miller/bulb/Pickling_your_Paperwhites.pdf