Expert: Long Island Gardener - 11/13/2008

Question
I LIVE IN FLORIDA AND GIVE AMARYLLIS FOR CHRISTMAS PRESENTS. BUT I HAVE HAD THEM BLOOM TOO EARLY. I LIKE TO PLANT THEM IN PRETTY POTS AND HAVE THEM AS CLOSE TO OPENING AS POSSIBLE WHEN THEY ARE RECEIVED. ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE HELPFUL. THANK YOU, NANCY

Answer
Difficult, but not impossible.  Too late for '08, but you can do this in '09.

First, for the purists who read these columns, we must use the correct Latin moniker for the plant we are both talking about, which is Hippeastrum.  I know, I know, NOBODY in the Real World calls these 'Hippeastrum' outside of a Laboratory.  But they line up to scold me about my careless mistake when I talk in Plain English, so we'll get this detail out of the way and you and I KNOW we're discussing your Amaryllis when I use the word Hippeastrum.

Grow your Hippeastrums through the Summer, which is probably the most natural thing in the world.  In late August/early September, BRING THEM INSIDE and cool them off, then gradually stop watering -- inducing dormancy.  On Nov 1, bring them back out and start watering and exposing to warmth and long daylight periods; it is helpful (but not critical) to get yourself a pair of daylight fluorescent tubes with a Color Rendering Index of 97 to 99 (Note: G.E. calls its tubes 'Daylight Fluorescent'; this is poetic license as you can see their C.R.I. is nothing close to daylight/97-99).  This will keep your Hippeastrums healthy, stocky and wise.

Practice makes perfect.  You'll get the hang of it.  Sorry, but it's not in the cards this year -- you'll have to compensate with a lot of nice paper, a fancy pot, maybe some elaborate instructions.  Details, details.  Thanks for writing.

THE LONG ISLAND GARDENER