Expert: Long Island Gardener - 3/13/2009

Question
I have 4 amaryllis plants ,they put out flowers and the leaves turn yellow , but when i cut the leaves back new growth it there , should i take them out of dirt and put them in the dark or not.

Answer
This is NOT an annual, my friend, and the annual experts don't like me to answer questions that are none of my business.  So I'm taking a bit of a risk here to give you the answer to this Amaryllis question - here goes.

Amaryllis need a long rest period. This is the less-than-fun side of growing them.

After they bloom, the plain, ordinary foliage needs to be treated to tons of Sun and copius water.  This builds up energy for next cycle's bloom.

Don't cut the leaves down.  No leaves, no flowers, no Amaryllis.

Water well, then let the pot dry out.  You can't give them too much Sun.  They love it.

Then as leaves yellow, stop watering, and let them dry and shrivel off.  Then let them go to sleep.  Dormancy is an ugly time in the life of these.  Lots of people think they've killed the plant, and throw the bulbs away.  Big mistake.

Some just find it way TOO ugly to cope with.  They discard Amaryllis bulbs after the Blooms are spent.  Others grow them on.  It's up to you.

If you decide to keep this dead looking thing in a pot, move the whole thing, pot and all, to a dark corner of the house, under a table or in a closet, dry and preferably somewhat cool (not cold, just not HOT).  And wait.

Aa few months later,you will one day see a green "tongue" sticking out of the pot.  That's a sign your Amaryllis is back in town.  Move it to light, and water again, then to full sun.

Re-pot every 3 years ago -- these bulbs do not appreciate being moved.  A smaller pot is big enough for them.  You will hear of people removing them from the pot when they go dormant and storing unpotted, as you see them in the store, but I do not think this is the best way to handle them.

Any questions?

THE LONG ISLAND GARDENER