I've had pretty good luck with getting these bulbs to flower again as long as I provided them with enough sunlight during the growing (summer) season. That, I believe, is the key for reblooming. Once the weather is warm enough, place the container outside where it can absorb full, direct sunlight rays. No freezing temperatures! Sunlight, in combination with some fertilization, is what will encourage the bulb to manufacture and store the kind of energy needed to produce flowers. Do keep your amaryllis in the same container all during its outdoor, sunny vacation. And make sure that that container is one with a drainage hole. I'd stop fertilizing after mid-August in your location. After the summer, the leaves will begin to fade naturally. At this point, it is no longer sending carbs to the bulb and is ready to go fully dormant. Bring the plant inside and cut (cleanly) any dead leaves (keep those that are still green) and stop watering. Your bulb needs a cool and dark dormant period, with no watering. It can remain in the same container during this dormancy, if you like. 6 to 8 weeks is a minumum time. When you are ready to bring it back out of its rest period, you can change the potting medium, if it needs it. Use any good (peat based) soil-less potting medium. Be sure to plant it so that the head and shoulders of the bulb is above the soil. Cut off any remaining dead leaves, and trim the roots. It will grow all new roots, using some of the stored energy within the bulb. Water, but don't fertilize (that's for the summer), and locate in a sunny, warm location. Now, you have a decision to make! Are you going to plant it outside, or keep it in the container? ;-)

golddust, what a fantastic story. You've had some rough spots in your life, but sounds like you received enough loving support to make them strengthening ones. Thanks for letting us in on your wonderful uncle. I have a theory that it isn't the big gestures that make the best impact on the world, but little kindnesses and quiet expressions of affection done over the years that add up. Your uncle is proof of that.

Well, for once I agree with Lindac. :>) Especially the bowl of thistles comment. Seriously, though, Bobby, I've been reading your posts long enough to know that you are a very warm and caring person. And even if I hadn't, I would not take your comments here as being ungrateful, calloused, or anything like that. You do sound frustrated, though. Perfectly understandable! I imagine there is not a single one among us here, That has not been in the same situation at some time or another. That is, if they are being completely honest. Your idea of leaving the items on the laundry room table is a good one. No posting on the 'net as with freecycle, No looking for a collections center as with Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc. Not much chance of the giver seeing them there. And best of all, it would be a pretty safe bet that whoever takes them, really wants them. Rusty

Ahhhh, Hi Alice. Haven't seen you in a while. Yes, we tell people to just SOB but when you've read the same post for years, we have a tendency to want to reach out and slap some sense into a fellow KTer. How hard is it to be grateful for the little things? (and I'm not saying $100 is a little thing). But evidently SamKaren has been there 13 years....she shouldn't expect anything more. I'm sorry she's unhappy with her Christmas gifts or rather, the lack of appreciation she feels from the departments. And since I'm not there to observe their working relationship, I'll just say this: I've been in secretarial jobs before and I certainly didn't receive or expect gifts from everyone in the department. Some people's glass will always be half empty or even cracked. We can continue to fill it for them over and over or help them fix their glass. Sometimes "handholding" just doesn't help. I do wonder if her unhappiness is apparent in her relationship with her co-workers? If she's truly that unhappy, perhaps she should look for a job where she will feel more appreciated. Me? I have two sons in college with the next semesters tuition due soon so my DH and I didn't exchange gifts. It was a quiet Christmas with friends and family. With the cost of everyday living rising with no end in sight, I think a lot of people are trimming their gift giving budget. I don't base how good my Christmas was on what I received. It makes me sad that year after year, SamKaren feels jilted by her co-workers. That's not what Christmas is about.