Amaryllis Flower Care Holt Boyd Podcast

Amaryllis Flower Care - December 28, 2022 - Amy Timmerman - Extension Educator

Note: Click on the button for Full Screen; then click on the en CC button for Closed Captioning; then click on play and so that you are able to read the captioning.

• [0:01] This is Amy Timmerman with this week’s extension update.
• [0:04] You may be lucky enough to receive an Amaryllis bulb over the holiday season.
• [0:08] These flowers are popular flowering bulbs that are forced indoors for their large,
• [0:12] spectacular blooms during the winter months.
• [0:15] The trumpet-shaped flowers can be as large as 8 to 10 inches across and
• [0:19] are produced atop an 18- to 30-inch-tall flower stalk.
• [0:24] Flower colors include red, pink, orange, salmon, white, and bi-colors.
• [0:30] Single-flowering, double-flowering, and miniature amaryllis varieties are available.
• [0:35] Amaryllis bulbs can be purchased pre-planted in pots or unpotted.
• [0:39] When purchasing amaryllis, select large, solid bulbs.
• [0:43] The largest bulbs usually produce 2 or 3 flower stalks.
• [0:47] When planting an amaryllis bulb, select a pot that is approximately
• [0:50] 1 to 2 inches wider than the diameter of the bulb.
• [0:54] The container may be clay, ceramic, or plastic,
• [0:57] but should have drainage holes in the bottom.
• [1:00] Plant the bulb in a well-drained potting mix.
• [1:03] Place a small amount of the potting mix in the bottom of the pot.
• [1:06] Center the bulb in the middle of the pot.
• [1:09] Then add additional potting soil, firming it around the roots and bulb.
• [1:13] When finished potting, the upper one-half
• [1:16] of the bulb should remain above the soil surface.
• [1:19] Also, leave about one inch between the soil surface and the pot’s rim.
• [1:22] Then water thoroughly and place in a warm (70° to 75°F) location.
• [1:27] Check the pot before watering a pre-planted amaryllis bulb.
• [1:31] If the container doesn’t have drainage holes, remove the bulb.
• [1:35] Drill small holes in the bottom of the container and replant
• [1:39] or transfer the bulb to a pot with drainage holes.
• [1:42] After the initial watering, water just enough
• [1:44] to keep the potting mix barely moist.
• [1:47] When growth appears, move the plant to a
• [1:49] sunny window and water more frequently.
• [1:51] During flower stalk elongation, it is important turn the pot daily
• [1:57] to assure straight stalk development.
• [2:00] Stake flower stalks that lean badly.
• [2:03] When the amaryllis begins to bloom, move the plant to a slightly cooler
• [2:07] (65° to 70°F) location that doesn’t receive direct sun
• [2:11] to prolong the life of the flowers.
• [2:14] Some individuals discard the amaryllis after flowering.
• [2:18] However, it is possible to save the amaryllis
• [2:21] and force it to flower on an annual basis.
• [2:23] The key to successful reflowering is proper care.
• [2:27] After the flowers fade, cut off the flower stalk with a sharp knife or pruners.
• [2:30] Make the cut 1 to 2 inches above the bulb.
• [2:34] Do not damage the foliage.
• [2:36] In order for the bulb to bloom again next year,
• [2:39] the plant must replenish its depleted food reserves.
• [2:42] The strap-like leaves manufacture food for the plant.
• [2:45] Place the plant in a sunny window and water when the soil surface is nearly dry.
• [2:50] Fertilize every 2 to 4 weeks with a dilute fertilizer solution.
• [2:54] A balanced all-purpose fertilizer at half strength works well.
• [2:58] The amaryllis can be moved outdoors in late May.
• [3:02] Harden or acclimate the plant to the outdoors
• [3:05] by initially placing it in a shady, protected area.
• [3:08] After 2 or 3 days, gradually expose the
• [3:10] amaryllis to longer periods of direct sun.
• [3:14] Once hardened, select a site in part sun.
• [3:17] Dig a hole and set the pot into the ground.
• [3:20] Outdoors, continue to water the plant during dry weather.
• [3:24] Also, continue to fertilize the amaryllis once or twice a month through July.
• [3:28] Bring the plant indoors in mid-September.
• [3:32] Plants left indoors should be kept in a sunny window and
• [3:35] watered and fertilized in the same way as those grown outdoors.
• [3:38] This has been Amy Timmerman with Nebraska Extension