Gift Amaryllis bloomed in box - sigh
linnea56 (zone 5b Chicago)
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
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Comments (8)
linnea56 (zone 5b Chicago)
2 years agoRelated Discussions
Christmas gift Amaryllis question
Comments (8)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? ;-)...See MoreNew Amaryllis Blooms
Comments (12)Even with paler flowers my family and I enjoyed them greatly. I flew on a plane and the total trip was maybe 8 hours. I cut off the top of a big disposable water bottle and filled it with water. Before I went threw security I dumped out the water. I did not have any problems or hassles with security. In fact many fellow travelers were very interested in my flowers. After I got threw the security line I filled the water bottle with water from the restrooms. If you have to travel and will miss your flowers blooming I Highly recommend cutting the scapes and taking them with you :) As a side note I checked a suit case with many bulbs I was taking home to AZ. I have done this many times with no problems. I joked with my fellow passengers that were shocked that I could bring the cut flowers on the plane that I looked very dangerous carrying my flower scapes. You never know what crazy flower people will do....See MoreWarning...if you bought boxed bulbs for Christmas gifts...
Comments (8)After learning what I've learned, any bulbs I want to buy as gifts are checked before purchasing, and the first thing I do is dump the soil or coir disk that comes with any kit, and I also get rid of the pots... I buy clay pots, one for each bulb, and I clean up the bulbs and pot them right before giving the gift. I usually add a little bamboo stake with a Christmas decoration on it, or a ribbon... It's unfortunate, but most kit bulbs are meant to be enjoyed and tossed. Most people won't go through the hassle of growing the bulb and giving it a rest so it can bloom again. I think the poor soil and the poor pots sold are meant to make it difficult to keep the bulbs alive and well, so you have to buy a new kit the following year. What a racket!...See MoreAmaryllis that I bought last season is ready to bloom again :)
Comments (24)We are teasing about the color! It's such a deep red....Bragu was teasing that it had no color and since he was being silly, I teased him back because there is no such thing as a blue Hippeastrum!! It is amazing to watch them grow so quickly. A couple of years ago there was a post of 84 photos from a first timer as we were all on "scape watch" with her! SORRY....! :-)...See Morerobert567
2 years agodbarron
2 years agorobert567
2 years agoNorthern Gardener (3b west central MN)
2 years agodbarron
2 years agolast modified: 2 years ago
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