Hi Anna, Well....welcome to our world!! I'd say your amaryllis would have been guarantted to bloom in 5 weeks if it had all the optimal conditions, but sitting in a box at room temp for who knows how long wasn't what it needed!! Most of those box kits show up in the stores in October and at that point they have come from the distributor where they have been chilled and just ready to bloom. If they aren't given warmth, water, and a little love within a window of a couple of months...they may say, "Forget it, I'll wait till next year!!". So obviously, your good efforts at Christmastime just arrived too late. BUT...there is good news!! Put that bulb outside where it can soak up the sun and keep it watered (not soaking) with 1/2 strength Miracle Gro (or a similar water based fertilizer). Those leaves should grow nice and green and STRONG and be able to support themselves! Then...around late August (you are getting a late start!!) stop watering and turn the pot on its side where the rain can't hit the soil. Those nice leaves should yellow up and shrivel. At that point, cut them back to the neck of the bulb and put the bulb in the pot somewhere where the temp will be above freezing for the next 8 weeks. Bring it out...8 weeks later, give it some water and warmth, (and sunlight if possible...although winter dreariness might do) and you may be rewarded with blooms. Since it's had a rough first year, just be patient with it...it might go on its natural cycle and bloom in the spring. As soon as it's warm enough (April/May) put it outside so it can soak up the benefits. You need to build that bulb back up so that it will reward you with blooms! GOOD LUCK...and be patient!! Kristi

Ahhh... could be! I bought them at a flea market flower show and they were only labeled "phlox". (This is my first try at growing phlox so I don't know much about them.) Judging from the looks of them in the containers it appeared as if the seller had dug the plants straight out of the ground and put them into pots. They were just a mass of flowers when I bought them... I'm hopeful that they ARE a spring-flowering variety. (More to look forward to next year!) Thanks for the reply, Carol!

They do not bloom very well in warm weather, it should recover and bloom nicely once it cools off, same as diascia. It looks good with fall mums and 'Bright Lights' swiss chard. As you discovered, dahlias are much better for summer bloom.

I hear you all. Don't know what these crazy plants like. I have 4. 2 new ones doing well in full sun but had buds when I bought them. One gets shade from 2pm on. Nothing blooming yet. Not even a sign of it. Died to the ground over winter. The last one gets sun from noon to sunset with a break from 2-3 pm. It looks as though it may have one bud coming. It has been in place for 3 years now. I bought it the very first year they were out. Dies to the ground every winter and has never got bigger than 12 inches in all directions. I am so disappointed and stupid enough to have invested in 2 new ones this year. What are the other continuous bloomers out there? I am new to hydrangeas It may be time to consider replacing the 3 year old.