Amaryllis

Have you stopped in at Anna’s yet this holiday season? One of our holiday favourites has arrived, Amaryllis, and although they aren't flowering just yet, you won't want to miss out on their stunning, exuberant blooms when the time comes! These beautiful bulb plants are known to produce large, bell-shaped flowers and have begun to rival the much-loved poinsettia as the holiday flower of choice!

Information, Care & Maintenance for Amaryllis: 

Many people believe Amaryllis plants are a one and done kind of species, however, Amaryllis is a tropical bulb plant that gets better with time. The bigger the bulb, the more flower stems produced. In saying that, you will want to transition your bulb plant with the seasons- meaning the light, temperature, and maintenance levels will vary based on the time of year. 

• Late Spring-Mid Summer: Outdoors (temperatures must be above 10 °C/50 °F)
  • Place your Amaryllis in a bright sunny spot, in a container /pot with drainage holes. Some like to place the Amaryllis in their garden beds.
  • Do not water the bulb during the main summer period between June and September — this dry period prevents rot from settling into the bulb.
• Late Summer – Early Fall: Indoors (16 °C/60 °F)
  • Bring your Amaryllis back inside- place in a sunny spot, when the leaves turn yellow-cut them off.
  • Once the leaves fall off, move your Amaryllis plant to a cool (12-15 °C/55-60 °F), dark place.
    • Rest period: Your Amaryllis bulb will need 8-10 weeks of rest after flowering and losing its leaves. After 8-10 weeks, move your bulbs to a warm, sunny location in your home and water thoroughly. After the rest period, your Amaryllis should be in bloom.
    • Meaning if you want Christmas flowers, your rest period should start in early September and be moved to a warm, sunny spot in late October.
      • Replace the soil with a fresh mix, remove any dead leaves and replant, leaving the bulb shoulders exposed.
      • Place your bulbs in bright light and give them water. With these plants, the flowering is primarily controlled by moisture.
      • When the first leaves appear, begin watering regularly. (If you give a steady supply of water to a bulb with no foliage, the bulb will rot.)
• Winter: Indoors (16 °C/60 °F)
  • When flowering:
    • Keep your Amaryllis in an area with diffused, indirect light.
    • Begin general all-purpose fertilizer once the foliage begins to peek out above the soil surface – NOT before it has foliage. Fertilize every 7-14 days.
    • Water: ensure you water your plant enough that it keeps the soil moist, but not soggy. Be careful not to wet the portion of the bulb that sticks above the soil.
  • After flowering is complete:
    • Cut the flower stem off near the neck of the bulb.  Try to not injure the leaves or any emerging flower stalks.
    • Keep your plant in a sunny spot, to continue to supply nourishment to the bulb, until the leaves begin to fall off.
    • Keep watering your plants so the soil says lightly moist, but never soggy. You do not want root rot.

Do you have an Amaryllis at home? Do you have any tips to share? We would love to hear from you!