Everything I have read on the subject of growing bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, allium, crocus, etc... states that bulbs planted in the fall will require some time to grow decent root systems in order to bloom well in spring. This would apply to bulbs planted outdoors in the north, in autumn. The bulbs will set down a decent root system so that when spring arrives, they are ready to begin top growth and flowering, as signaled by, I'm assuming, warmer soil temperatures and sunshine. But since hippeastrums are taken out of their natural bloom schedule, and are forced into blooming around the Holidays, for the most part... I think we sort of screw them up for good root growth before blooming, as would happen if they weren't tender bulbs and were planted in autumn for intended spring flowering. I notice that some of my hippis grow roots before or during flowering, while others seem to grow them after flowering. Some bulbs flower and are very loose in their pots, requiring staking in order to not tumble right out... others feel firmer within the soil while blooming, and may only require staking because of scape height or flower weight. My thought is that root growth can't really be forced too much upon receipt of the bulb, but that shortly after the first flowering, it should grow and maintain a healthy and nicely established root system.

This may contradict some of your comments already posted, but I've had great luck for the last three consecutive years forcing my bulbs to bloom for Xmas and Lunar New Year. I followed Maria's advice by uprooting the bulbs, washing off the roots, cutting off all the leaves, and placing the bulbs in the veggies compartment of the fridge to sleep for 8 weeks. Then I took them out, cleaned up the bulbs and the dried roots, and replanted them in good soil. For 2007, 2008 and 2009... three years in a row, I always have had blooms on the bulbs I forced. I reported the results on this forum in 2008 but I cannot find the old thread. This year, I'm having two bulbs in the fridge and will take them out end of this month for their timed bloom in mid-December. I shared the tips with blogger friends in Malaysia and already one of them also has had success. You can read about his story in the link below. Another friend is also working on the tips at the moment and awaiting blooms. Thanks for reading my story. Xuan

Sure they will!! :-)) Like any other type of perennial, first year results are generally somewhat underwhelming when compared to what the plants will produce once fully established. There is a common garden saying that applies to perennials - "the first year they sleep, the second year they creep and the third year they leap". Patience when gardening is always rewarded :-) It also sounds like your planting conditions are not exactly ideal. Most hardy geraniums are less happy in a clay soil than they are in one that has some added fertility/texture and improved drainage. And with the exception of some specific species, dry soil conditions are not very desireable. If you can bump up soil quality so that it is well draining yet moisture retentive and with increased fertility, you may get more positive results.

Second what Silica said. Outdoors I don't worry about them too much, but they are AWFUL indoors (or in greenhouses). I had a really bad problem one year when I brought them in with some habaneros. They exploded in population by mid-winter and I couldn't do much to control them. Whiteflies, scale, and aphids are the main reason why I start neeming a lot in late September--kill off ALL the bugs (beneficials included, unfortunately). During the summer, I don't have to do much because the beneficials handle the problem very well... ... except for grasshoppers and katydids. -Tom