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Amaryllis/Hippeastrum

Amaryllis Saving - Move or Not to Move

Cathy Cokley Shilow z8 SC

6 years ago

The the cats next door are sleeping on my amaryllis plants. I retrieved seeds from one that's white with red stripes earlier this year. Now the cats have broken most of the leaves off and they've turned brown and died out. After I cleaned out the dried leaves, I can see new leaves emerging. It is still too warm here for them to go dormant. Can I move them now without causing any more damage? Can I make them go dormant by cutting off the rest of the leaves and taking them out of the planter? I put around 4 or 5 bulbs in there. Should I move the babies also?

Please help me save my bulbs.

Featured Answer

dondeldux z6b South Shore Massachusetts

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

Cathy,

I think you could keep your plants there if you'd like; just buy some peppermint oil and dab it on the ground around the plants and or dab it on the sides of your brick enclosure. That should deter them from wanting to sleep in that very cozy little enclosure and smell nice to you. If I were a cat, I might find that a comfy place to sleep too!!

Donna

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Comments (8)

everado
6 years ago
How long have your bulbs been planted outside? I don’t think they would survive a zone 8 winter if they haven’t before.
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Cathy Cokley Shilow z8 SC
Original Author
6 years ago
Everado, I put them in there (it was supposed to be temporary) in June or July of 2015. They have been there ever since. I am supposed to move them but never have.

I made a post with these same plants on how to get their seeds.

You are right Donna, I had to put plastic forks with the tines side up in my potted plants on my porch. It worked. They stayed out.
dondeldux z6b South Shore Massachusetts
6 years ago
Well, that's a good idea too, nobody likes to sleep on a bed of nail or forks!! I'm one of those people who can't throw away a good strong plastic fork and I've got dozens!!
Fred Biasella
6 years ago
Donna, I'm there with you and I had to do that with my kitty who though I was bringing in my plants for the winter for her pleasure and to sleep on :-)))
Cathy Cokley Shilow z8 SC
Original Author
6 years ago
Well, should I move them or not move them. Should I let the new growth grow or take them inside to dry for the winter.
dondeldux z6b South Shore Massachusetts
6 years ago
Cathy,

Since they've been there for the better part of 2 years now, I would leave them where they are for the winter and not disturb their roots. Next spring when they start to send up new leaves, perhaps at that time you could carefully lift them getting as many of the roots as possible and move them to a new location of your choice where you feel they would do better.

Since I'm in zone 6b I would be forced to bring them in but if I were in zone 8, I'd leave them be for at least this winter. The decision is yours of course....Donna
Cathy Cokley Shilow z8 SC
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks Donna. We normally plant our amaryllis bulbs in our yard and leave them. I'll find a spot in the yard and get it prepped for spring bulb moving.

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