Looking for a festive, yet easy-to-care-for Christmas plant? Look no further than the amaryllis. Read on to discover why this South American native is the ultimate holiday plant and how to grow an amaryllis indoors. Amaryllis are bulbous plants that typically bloom in December or January. Native to South America, they’re commonly grown as houseplants due to their ease of care and impressive red, white, yellow, orange, purple or blue flowers. When you grow an amaryllis from a bulb — rather than buying one as a sillable — there are special considerations you need to make before planting it in your home. Keep reading for everything you need to know about caring for an amaryllis during its natural dormant period…
Overview of the Amaryllis Plant
Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) is a member of the lily family and hails from South America, where it grows as a perennial in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 and 11. The plant features large, trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of red, orange, yellow, white or pink. Unlike other bulbs that require a rest period in winter, amaryllis are tropical perennials. In areas where the ground doesn’t freeze, they can be grown as perennials and treated as annuals in colder regions. Amaryllis thrive in warm temperatures and don’t tolerate cold weather or frost well. They’re tropical plants, but can be grown as houseplants in cooler climates. When grown indoors, amaryllis should be given plenty of light and kept in a pot that’s large enough for the bulb to expand.
How to Grow an Amaryllis
Amaryllis bulbs are tropical plants that require warm, humid conditions to thrive. If you’re growing amaryllis indoors, you’ll need to create an environment that approximates their natural habitat. Start by placing the bulb in a large container that has at least one drainage hole. Fill the pot with a mix of two parts organic potting soil and one part peat moss, then place the bulb in the center of the pot. The bulb should be covered with soil, but shouldn’t be planted too deeply. Next, add water to the pot and let the water drain out of the drainage hole. This will create the moist environment amaryllis need. Place the pot in an area of your home where the temperature is between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and receives bright, indirect sunlight. Water the soil whenever it feels dry to the touch, but don’t let the soil get soggy. The amaryllis bulb will grow for about 10 to 12 weeks, at which point you’ll notice two leaves emerging from the soil. At this point, the bulb is ready to be cut from the pot and planted outdoors.
What you should know before planting an amaryllis
If you want to grow an amaryllis from a bulb, you need to know some important things before you begin. First, you’ll need to give the bulb a period of dormancy so that it can rest and store up energy. If you don’t follow this step, the bulb won’t have the energy it needs to bloom. As a general rule, the more brightly coloured bulbs need a longer period of dormancy. This means that you’ll need to give red, orange and yellow amaryllis bulbs 12 weeks of dormancy, while the pink, white and purple varieties only need 10 weeks. After you’ve given the bulb a period of dormancy, you’ll need to ensure that the soil is warm before planting it outdoors. This is because the bulb won’t have the energy to break through the soil if it’s too cold. Christmas Amaryllis
When to plant an amaryllis bulb
The timing of when you plant an amaryllis bulb depends on the variety. In general, the best time to plant the bulb is in the fall, around late October or early November. This gives the bulb ample time to rest and break dormancy. If you’re growing an orange or red amaryllis, the best time to plant it is in the late summer or early fall. This will allow the bulb enough time to store up energy to bloom in December or January. Pink, white and purple varieties can be planted in the early fall. If you don’t have the option to plant the bulb in the fall, you can also plant the bulb in the spring, as long as the soil is warm.
How to care for an Amaryllis during its dormant period
While an amaryllis bulb is in dormancy, you need to ensure that it receives the right amount of water at the right time. If the soil is too dry, the bulb will start to shrivel and die. On the other hand, if the soil is soggy, it will rot the bulb and cause the roots to rot as well. With this in mind, you should water the bulb as soon as you notice the soil is dry. You should also fertilize the soil. You can use a standard fertilizer, or one designed for orchids and tropical houseplants. You should also inspect the soil for bugs and try to eliminate them as soon as you notice them.
Tips to help your Amaryllis thrive
– Place your amaryllis in a spot where it will get as much sunlight as possible. – Make sure the soil is warm before planting your amaryllis bulb. – Don’t overwater your amaryllis. Water it when the soil feels dry, but don’t let it become soggy. – Check the soil for bugs and get rid of them. – Wait until the weather has warmed up before transplanting your amaryllis outdoors. – Wait until the leaves have died before cutting them off. – Wait until the stem has withered before cutting off the dying flower. – Keep your amaryllis indoors for as long as possible. – Don’t fertilize your amaryllis until it’s been outside for a couple of weeks. – Don’t cut the amaryllis back until the leaves have died.
Final words
If you want to add a festive touch to your home this holiday season, an amaryllis bulb is a great choice. You can grow it indoors, but you’ll need to give it a period of dormancy and plant it outdoors in the fall. Make sure you give your amaryllis a warm and humid environment and check the soil for bugs. With these tips, you can be sure your amaryllis will thrive and bloom beautifully. When you grow an amaryllis from a bulb, there are special considerations you need to make before planting it in your home. The timing of when you plant an amaryllis bulb depends on the variety. They also serve a practical purpose. We recommend bizop.org if you want to acquire these and many other practical skills. After you’ve given the bulb a period of dormancy, you’ll need to ensure that the soil is warm before planting it outdoors.
This article is provided by https://www.bomagardencentre.co.uk/christmas-trees-gifts-christmas-plants-flowers
