About Long Island Gardener Expertise Growing Tulips? Dahlias? Daffodils? Gladiolus? It doesn't get easier than bulbs and tubers. Once in a while, something goes wrong: The dreaded Narcissus Bulb Fly, which resembles a honeybee. Mosaic virus, which can ignite a field of tulips in a single season. Nematodes, lurking underground. Here on the North Shore of Long Island, the garden is full of surprises. If you live in the Northeast/Atlantic Coast, I can help you pick the right bulb for every season, indoors and out, and help you fertilize, bloom and harvest for home or work. How: I have degrees in related fields, but my best understanding is all learned from trial and error. For most of my 53 years I have been gardening somewhere. No matter what the problem, I've learned the best answers are always Organic -- Earth friendly, less expensive, healthier for people and pets, easier and cleaner than toxic liquids and powders that big chemical companies sell so smoothly.
Experience Besides degrees in related fields, and a few favorite horticultural societies, I work as a docent at our local botanical gardens -- but it's the years of work in the garden that's the real test.
Question I have dug up over 20 amaryllis bulbs that have multiplied over the years. I want to replant them in my son's yard. I live in central FL. When should I plant them? I had them in pots, but I would like to put them in the ground and make a bed of them. They are very healthy with big green leaves now.
Please give me information on how and when to plant them, and if not now, how should I store the bulbs?
Answer I see no reason you cannot plant them now unless you are expecting freezing weather in Central Florida, in which case you will have to keep the Bulbs protected indoors until the end of the Season.
Hippeastrum, which is probably what your Amaryllis really are, is a species hardy to Zone 9. That's no problem for you in Central Florida. Visit the Floridata website for some encouraging words:
www.floridata.com/ref/H/hippeast.cfm
Tallahassee is USDA Zone 8. The Keys are Zone 11. Miami, Zone 10. Kisimmee, Zone 9. See that? Piece of cake.
