If the bulb was planted outside the bulb should be brought into the house by early September and put into a dry, dark, cool location for 2 months.  Keep the bulb in its pot or put into a dry, brown paper bag. Stop watering.

When ready to force blooms, remove the bulb, shake off the dirt and dead matter, and re-pot in the same pot with new dirt.  Plant 1/3 of the bulb above the soil line.

Put the pot in a location that receives direct sunlight or bright light.  Water until moist.  Fertilize weekly when growing with regular houseplant fertilizer or time-released.  Amaryllis prefer room temperatures-between 65-72*.

The flower stalk should grow first.  The stem rises from the neck of the bulb.  The thick hollow stem grows about 18” tall and can produce up to 4 blooms, each about 6” across.

The leaves grow after the flowers have bloomed.  They arch over on opposite sides and are sword shaped.  If your leaves appear first, you probably will not get any flowers this year.

Remove the faded flowers and stalks as it yellows.

Sink the pot into the ground in a sunny spot after all danger of frost is gone.  Leave until early September.

The Amaryllis is always treasured for its blooms.  It produces a stalk of massive, tubular flowers in many colors.  Comes in white, red, orange, pink, and striped.

Spencer’s Garden Center has 4 different colors to choose from:  The bulbs are all the mammoth types.  They range in price from $14.99 and $19.99.  We have a red lion, a deep burgundy, a mixed bulb that has red edges and centers with pink petals, and another mixed bulb with a green throat, red stripes, and white flower. We have many clay pots to choose from.  Amaryllis make nice  gifts for the holidays, for birthdays, great science projects for school children, gifts for the elderly or sick, or just for enjoyment for your soul.

Farewell from

Spencer’s Advice