skip to main content

Amaryllis/Hippeastrum

re-potting amaryllis

10 years ago

I live in a retirement facility
Last Christmas season when I announced that I was going to try to keep my amaryllis over for next year I found 8 other orphans out side my door. In mid May I placed them in my small assigned flowerbed. Sept. 6th I lifted them, drenched them with Malathion and then with Wilt Pruff. They have been a wine cooler @ 50deg. F. ever since.

How long do they need to be there to achieve dormancy?

How many weeks from cooler to bloom?

Obviously I am a novice, AT 80 yr., so any help will be appreciated.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (12)

kaboehm (zone 9a, TX USA)
10 years ago
4-6 weeks of cool and dark should be enough to trick them into blooming. I would make sure that the cooler is open to allow for good airflow (avoid mold, etc). Why the Wilt Pruff (not familiar with that)?

Once that time in the cooler has passed and they are planted (I'd think now might be ok) you should see signs of scapes shortly and blooms (with/or without leaves) by Thanksgiving or the December holidays. Blooms within 4-6 weeks...guesstimate!

GOOD LUCK!
K
dondeldux z6b South Shore Massachusetts
10 years ago
Hi Lefty,

I'm not sure if the effects of Wilt Pruf will be kind or detrimental as Wilt Pruf's purpose is to lock in moisture and keep leaves from desiccation during the winter. Sprayed on a bulb It might work just fine or might cause mold to form from the inside out. Please let us know how you make out with this experiment.

You've done a good deed in rescuing all those bulbs and you might want to think about re-gifting them back to the folks who gave them to you in the first place as they're likely to end up with another for the holidays anyway and next year you'll end up with 16!! Good Luck!!

Donna
Related Discussions
How often do you water your amaryllis in small pots?
Q
Comments (2)
It depends on a lot of circumstances including the humidity in the air, the amount of leaves that are on the plant, where they are in their dormancy cycle, how big the bulbs are and what type of medium they are potted in. The simplest answer is to water them whenever the soil feels dry to the touch. When they are actively growing new leaves or stems, check quite often because they needs water to fill the expanding cells - during those times you can water even if it's not completely dry, which might be every 5 days or so. During this time I also let water sit in the tray and it gets drawn into the pot usually in less than a single day. When the leaves are mature and the plant is no longer blooming, water when it gets dry to the touch which might be every 2 weeks. When it's going dormant or has gone dormant, wait a little longer even after it's dry; it might be 4 weeks or you might water it just a single time during dormancy. Hippeastrums resent too much water and will do better getting a little less than they like than they will getting more than they like. They are good for people who often forget about their plants. The worst that happens is that the flower scape is shortened due to being too dry, or the bulb regenerates its size slower than it would otherwise.
...See More
Miniature Amaryllis Papillio potting/resting
Q
Comments (1)
Papillio is evergreen. Which means, you should not cut the leaves back, even if you repot it. Cutting the leaves back could shock the bulb aborting the given year's blooms. If you are lucky, you might still get flowers if you care for it really good.
...See More
Amaryllis re-blooming
Q
Comments (1)
I've included a link to an article that will give you all the information you need, step by step, on how and when to do what's necessary to make your bulbs bloom for you again. I've never cut the leaves off my bulbs... it's not necessary. If you want to force a dormancy, place the potted bulbs in a cool, dark place... a basement or spare room... and stop watering. The leaves will die back by themselves. Normally, you would stop watering in mid-August, place your bulbs in a cool, dark location for about 8-12 weeks... then when new growth appears, bring them back into a bright, warm location, and resume watering. You should have blooms for the winter Holidays. Since you've already got them out of the pots, place them in a cool, dark place for about 8-12 weeks, then pot them up and place them in a warm, bright part of your home. They should begin sending up buds/scapes in about 6-8 weeks, I believe. The article in the link should tell you what you need to know... but if you have further questions, please feel free to ask... we'll be happy to try to help. Here is a link that might be useful: How To Make Your Amaryllis Bloom Again
...See More
A got a pot full of Amaryllis seedlings!
Q
Comments (13)
I floated some old seeds in warm water a few weeks ago.I have roots forming. Don't know what method work better, but this one let's me see what is going on.Pretty cool! Theresa Here's an excerpt from the amaryllis forum. "CALIFORNIA METHOD OF GERMINATING AMARYLLIS SEED" Select a clear glass container with as much surface available as possible. Fill 2/3 with water. Begin with very warm, but not hot, water. Float each amaryllis seed on the surface, either side up. They should not touch, but they may drift to touching and there's no real harm done. Put the container in a place with strong light but not in direct sun. The non-viable seed will sink to the bottom and may be removed. After a few days, each viable seed will put down a white root. When the root is a half-inch or so long, prepare pots with your choice of potting mix. You may make a community pot with several seeds in it, or prepare one pot for one seed. I prefer the latter because you do not have to transplant again nearly as soon. Poke a hole in the potting mix and gently put the white root into the mix, leaving the seed flat on the surface. Place mix around root. Water gently. Place flats with pots in strong light, but not yet sunlight. In a few days you will see a grasslike blade arising from each leaf. Gradually move pots into stronger light. Ultimately, place the pots in the strongest light available, but only early morning or late afternoon sun. The amaryllis will form tiny bulbs that increase as time goes on. A weak fertilizer (Peters 20-20-20 is fine, but diluted from usual strength) may be given every 10 days or two weeks. Keep the amaryllis growing right through the winter. They do not need to go dormant until they have a rather large bulb. Sometimes a bloom can occur in as little as 18 months, but more normally, blooms occur from 18 months to 3 years. You need move the small amaryllis into larger pots only when they really get potbound. Even then moving them into a four-inch pot will suffice for several years. If the seed are good when you begin, there will be nearly 100% germination with this method. If you keep them moist, but not wet, they will continue to grow and thrive during the crucial first few months. Drying out is not good for the very young plants. They may also be grown successfully under fluorescent lights for the first year or so. This method floats seed until the root is developing and some folks will float till leaves are growing. Some just soak overnight then plant. One item I have always been told is that the seeds viability is short and the sooner planted the higher the germination. Store in the fridge if you need to hold them for any length of time. The Clemson link under the Slicing Bulbs topic will help with ideas also plus it gives recommended fertilizer rates for the babies.
...See More
leftynh6
Original Author
10 years ago
Hi dondeldux / kabohem,

Thanks for your input. I've started a sequential repotting and if I am faithful to my note taking I should get a reasonable time from dormancy to bloom - understanding that genetic differences will affect the time required.

Donna,
I closely examined all nine bulbs and they appeared, to a novice, to be in beautiful condition. Definitely no signs of any mold. I put the ones not potted now back into cold storage and will start out potting one each week.
Stay tuned for thrilling updates!

Lefty
kaboehm (zone 9a, TX USA)
10 years ago
Lefty, I meant to say it's great that your place has garden spots for the residents. I have a friend in a retirement village near me and he has asked me to help get the management to put in small garden plots for the residents. Any advice? Do you have speakers come talk about gardening? I would think the local Boy and Girl scouts would be able to help get things rolling and it would provide good interactions for the residents and younger people.

Wish me luck!
Kristi
nopets
10 years ago
I repotted the Amaryllis I got last year on the 20th of this month, and already there is some green in the middle! It is under a flourescent lamp on my bookcase where it is a cheery 69 degrees. More updates later, (not as many as the last time), hee, hee.
kaboehm (zone 9a, TX USA)
10 years ago
Nopets....please don't try to top last year's record for scape watch POSTS! (hehehe)....Did you manage to get more bulbs, or are you limiting yourself to a single amaryllis??
nopets
10 years ago
Right now I am limiting myself to just one, space being a issue and I think I drove my hubby and you kind folks crazy with one, do you really think I want to do that again with more than one? We are just going to do one this time and see what happens, it is growing pretty fast so far.
nopets
10 years ago
There are two bits of green coming up instead of just one, I am so excited, will try to take a picture for you.
nopets
10 years ago
Amaryllis is still doing quite well. Will not take anymore until they are well on there way to growing, just wanted to show you the progress so far.
kaboehm (zone 9a, TX USA)
10 years ago
NoPets...please start a new thread with your progress...so as not to "hijack" the other thread and so people can find it easier.
K
nopets
10 years ago
I am sorry, I did not mean to "hijack" some one else's thread. I just wanted to show you the updated photo of my plant. Thanks kaboehm for telling me, I was wondering why no one was saying anything, I was afraid I scared them off and they thought I was going to go crazy again this year!lol.
nopets
10 years ago
See if this works, I won't take any more pics until they bloom, hoping for about 6 blooms on each stalk, if that does happen I will be excited, 4 was pretty but 6 wow!

Related Stories

HOUSEPLANTS How to Force Amaryllis Bulbs Indoors

By creative jewish mom.com

Enjoy vibrant red blossoms even as gardens turn snowy white, by teaching this hardy repeat performer to ignore the calendar

WINTER GARDENING How to Get an Amaryllis to Rebloom

By Therese Ciesinski

Enjoy glorious flowers year after year just when you need them most, with this step-by-step strategy

LIFE Fun Houzz: 14 Signs You’re an Interiors Geek

Are you obsessed with interiors? It’s OK, you can admit it — you’re among friends

ORGANIZING Houzz Call: Show Us How You're Getting Organized

If you’ve found successful ways to declutter and create order at home, we want to hear about it. Share your ideas and photos!

DECORATING GUIDES How to Decorate When You're Starting Out or Starting Over

No need to feel overwhelmed. Our step-by-step decorating guide can help you put together a home look you'll love

HOME TECH On the Internet, Nobody Knows You're a Lamp

Home appliances and devices are poised to get on the Internet and start messaging one another. Here's why that'll be great for you

LIFE You Said It: ‘Pretend You’re in a Swiss Chalet’ and More Houzz Wisdom

By Becky Harris

Design advice, inspiration and observations that struck a chord on Houzz this week

LIFE 10 Reasons to Be Happy You’re a Renter

By Laura Gaskill

Homeownership has many benefits, but there are upsides to not owning a home too

EVENTS My Houzz: They’re Right at Home in Their Schindler House

By Carolyn Reyes

Chance brought a couple to their Inglewood home designed by the L.A. midcentury architect. It will be part of a June design tour

WINTER GARDENING Winter Gardening: Ideas for a Dream Potting Room

By Becky Harris

Check out potting rooms that get indoor gardening right — and learn tips for creating your own

Sponsored

More Discussions

Happy New year for 2024

5