Monday Thoughts: “I love amaryllis because they are plump and juicy. They feel like spring even in the middle of winter.”—Jonathan Adler

“I love amaryllis because they are plump and juicy. They feel like spring even in the middle of winter.”

—Jonathan Adler

Amaryllis Plant Profile

 

Amaryllis Plant Profile

Amaryllis (Hippeastrum sp.) is a large flowering bulb that is commonly grown indoors for holiday decoration. It is native to Central and South America and includes 90 species and over 600 cultivars.

The flower colors can range from the classic red to white, salmon, pink, or creamy yellow. Some flowers are very large, others are more delicate and narrow types. They also come in single- and double-flower varieties.

As many as six flowers will bloom on a single stem. In general, the larger the flower bulb, the more flowers it will produce.

To prompt the Amaryllis to start to grow, place the bulb in a container filled with lukewarm water for an hour. You can then plant the Amaryllis bulb in a container filled with sterile potting mix. Be sure to leave at least the top third of the bulb above the soil level and to choose a container with good drainage that is only an inch or two wider than the bulb itself. Amaryllis like to fit snugly in their pots. Because the flowers can be top heavy, pick a pot that has some weight and heft to it.

Amaryllis prefer a room temperature between 68 and 74 degrees. They also need sufficient light to bloom. If it doesn’t get enough, its stems will stretch out and need support. Rotate the pot a quarter turn each time you water the plant.

After the flowers finish blooming, the bulbs need a period of recovery and rejuvenation. Cut off the flower stalks, but leave the foliage intact and reduced watering. They can be grown as a houseplant and then placed out in the summer to gather more energy for blooming again in the winter. Re-pot them every 3 to 4 years.

If you live in USDA zones 8-11, they can be planted outdoors in the spring and stay there year-round.

Bring them in before the weather gets cold and discontinue watering. Place them in a cool, dark place to remain dormant for at least two months. Then take them out of storage, water them thoroughly, and put in a sunny spot again to start the bloom cycle over.

The National Garden Bureau has declared 2023 as the year of the Amaryllis.

Amaryllis: You Can Grow That!

The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine as part of our Plant Profile series for Mid-Atlantic USA gardeners.

Audio and text by Kathy Jentz

Video and editing by Brandie Bland

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Win a ‘Splash’ Potted Amaryllis from Gardener’s Supply Company in November 2016 Washington Gardener Magazine Reader Contest

For our November 2016 Washington Gardener Magazine Reader Contest, Washington Gardener is giving away a ‘Splash’ Potted Amaryllis from Gardener’s Supply Company (http://www.gardeners.com).
   Brilliant starbursts of the purest white brighten the centers of the
cherry-red flowers. This stellar beauty’s double blooms resemble lilies, with layers of tapered, curved petals. Amaryllis are easy-to-grow, no-fuss plants that produce magnificent blooms for months of color. This Holland-grown bulb is planted in a 7½" diameter ceramic cachepot.
    Gardener’s Supply was founded in 1983 by a handful of enthusiastic Vermont gardeners. Today, they serve millions of gardeners nationwide, offering everything from seed-starting supplies and garden furniture to flower supports and garden carts. Though their company has grown, they remain passionately committed to providing garden-tested, earth-friendly products that will help their customers have more fun and success in their own home gardens.
   To enter to win the ‘Splash’ Amaryllis, send an email to WashingtonGardener@rcn.com by 5pm on Wednesday, November 30, with “Amaryllis” in the subject line. In the body of the email tell us which was your favorite article in the November 2016 issue and why. Please also include your full name and mailing address. The winner will be announced at our blog and Facebook page on December 1.

UPDATE:

The winner of our November 2016 Washington Gardener Magazine Reader Contest is John Rebstock of Cheverly, MD. John's email was chosen at random from among the submitted entries.