Amaryllis
Amaryllis flowersare gorgeous , and they amount at a perfect metre of year — when our ( some of us ) gardens are sleeping ! My neighbour has had his Amaryllis for about 10 years . He showed them to me one day and I could n’t consider my eyes ! In his windowed wash way , there stood the biggest Amaryllis bulbs , flowers and parting I have ever pick up ! They were giants ! I know Amaryllis can get pretty braggart , but I never imagined this bountiful . I ’d say the leaves were about 2 1/2″ broad or more and 4 feet or more tall . The blossom were in all likelihood double what we ’re used to seeing and same with the bulbs . I did n’t know they could get that big ! At that power point , I did n’t even know they could be grown for flowers class to twelvemonth . Now I bed differently and I ’ll tell you what I have learned .
Planting
Late October is the idealistic time to found , after the bulbs have gone through a dormant period . If there are off shoot , you may take them off and embed them as newfangled industrial plant . Use a modest pot in coition to the bulb size . Clay or ceramic pots would be good because they are heavy and will avail keep the plant from toppling over . Give only an in of room for soil on the sides of the bulb . Amaryllis prefers a sandy - loam stain intermixture . you’re able to mix your own by combining one part leaf mold or composted manure , one part loamy soil , and one part coarse sand . Some garden center field also sell territory mix specially for bulbs . When you implant the incandescent lamp , keep the upper half out of the soil .
Water
Water good after plantingand keep the filth slightly moist until flowering . At flowering , increase waterings to prolong flush . The bloom will last 6 - 8 weeks depending on temperature , light and variety .
Light and Temperature
When uprise in the home base , Amaryllis need as much Dominicus as they can get ! A southern windowpane is best . They favour 70 - 75 degrees for good growth . But when theplant commence to flower , cooler temperature ( 60 - 65 degrees ) will extend the bloom . As mentioned above , my neighbor had his in his windowed laundry room . The windows were southern and westerly which intend lots of sun . One more of import tip is that a laundry way get humidity so this is something else they care .
Fertilizer
Fertilize with a week root of compost tea every 6 weeks or so . Fertilizer will determine the size and quality of flowers and foliage .
After Flowering
salutary quality bulbs may give rise up to six flowers on a individual stalk . When a flower blow over , cut the stem about 2″ from the groundwork . This will economise vim for the other flowers . Do n’t thin the leafage because this is next year ’s solid food for next year ’s flowers . Keep lachrymation and fertilizing the leaf as you would before blossom until next September . At this point , put the flora into a quick , moody and wry place such as a press . Do n’t water or fertilise during this relief period . Then late October , move it back to the sunny windowpane and start the procedure all over again .
When properly cared for , Amaryllis can flower for up to 75 years ! So take care of yours for years of gorgeous flowers . ,
