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If you’re looking for a
way to make your holidays a little bit brighter, then I’ve got a solution
for you…plant amaryllis and paperwhite bulbs now!
Today we’ll look at the
amaryllis, and non hardy bulb that can produce some of the most spectacular
flowers you’ll ever see…some even with a light fragrance. They come in many
colors, as well as single and double flowers. When purchasing your
amaryllis bulbs, you’ll find several sizes available. Remember the larger
the bulb the more flower stalks with flowers you’ll have to bloom.
Once you’ve chosen your
bulb or bulbs, plant your amaryllis in a 6 or 8 inch pot with good drainage
holes. Use a soil-less potting mix, and be sure to bury your bulb up to its
neck. Water well, and place in a bright, warm place in the home (no direct
sunlight). Water sparingly (using luke warm water) until the bulb produces
a stem, then increase your watering as needed. Once the stalk is growing,
the best indoor temperatures for your amaryllis are 65 – 70 degrees during
the day, and cooler at night.
When buying amaryllis
bulbs, buy several. Remember, they take about 6-8 weeks to flower, so
stagger your planting times, so you’ll have amaryllis flowering not just for
the holidays, but throughout the winter season. And don’t throw them away
when they’re finished flowering. Cut off the old flower stalk and grow the
foliage like a houseplant indoors. We’ll get these to flower for us again,
next winter.
In our next segment,
we’ll look at growing paperwhites. |
