Expert: Kenneth Joergensen - 2/17/2005

Question
Ken, we live in Trenton Ont. Canada zone 5,  my question is - we have an Amarylis, in our front window this year it sent up just the flower stock and had 4 beautiful blooms, they are now starting to die back, it also has started to sent up the leaves,  my question is do I leave the flower stock on to die back or remove it after the flowers are finished.  Last year it did not bloom but had two large leaves. the flower stock is 27 1/2 inches high.

Answer
Congratulations on reflowering your amaryllis (hippeastrum). Well done.

After flowering, deadhead the flowers by cutting the small pedicels (tiny stalks which hold the flower to the mail flower scape). Then discard the withered flowers.

I would leave the long flower scape itself until it dies back on it's own. First of all, it contain lots of moisture and sugary nutrients (fructose water) which you want to retain in the plant, secondly it can be a mess to cut. Once it witheres and turn yellow, you can cut it off at the nose of the bulb.

Here are some key suggestions for care and reflowering of the amaryllis (hippeastrum).

1. after flowering, continue to grow the amaryllis. Provide frequent applications of fertilizer. A fortnightly application of soluble fertilizer mixed with the water, or a 2-3 months application of a slow release pelleted fertilizer like OSMOCOTE, etc. Fertilizer is important because flowering has drained the bulb for energy.

2. give plenty of sun. A sunny window or grow light indoors are required. In summer, you can plant the bulb outdoors in pots or in the ground (leave 1/2 of the bulb above ground level). A sunny position is ideal. You can also continue to grow the bulb as a houseplant instead if you prefer.

3. during the active growing period, continue to water and fertilize. Sun, water, and fertilizer will result in a significantly larger bulb.

3. In early October (before first frost) dig bulb and put in a dry spot out of direct sun for 30 days to let the leaves die back. After the leaves have withered and turned yellow they can be cut off. Store the bulb dry at room temperature or slightly below for 3-4 months. After this period, the leaves or flower scapes may then appear at the nose of the bulb. Check every few weeks.

4. Note: the dormant period above is used to "program" the bulb to flower again. This dormant period can be initated if the plant has been growing with green leaves for 6 months or longer. However, it is not necerssary. If you prefer to continue to grow the plant green year round (as a houseplant) then you can also do this. The bulb will then just flower when it is ready (typically in spring).

5. When flowerscapes/leaves appear at the nose of the bulb, you have two options: a) repot in fresh potting soil. Use a pot which is 2" wider than the widest diameter of the bulb. Remember the bulb will have increased in size since last year. start back into growth. b) If you want to postpone flowering, put the bulb in the fridge (no fresh fruit/cut flowers in the fridge or you risk sterilizing your bulb). Temperatures of 35-45F will postpone growth. This is not a cooling period required to reflower the bulb, but simply a holding temperature. Growth will be suspended (up to one year) so you can actually time flowers to fit an occation (it takes about 4-6 weeks to flower after you remove it from the fridge). Note: amaryllis is a tropical bulb. DO NOT FREEZE.

6. do not fertilize the bulb until green leaves show. after green leaves show, and flowering is finished, start fertilizing and start the procedure again.

By the way: for every 3-4 leaves produced, a flower is initiated inside the bulb. This means that the more leaves you can prompt it to grow, the more flowers you get. I have an amaryllis blooming now which has 3 flower scapes with a total of 14 flowers. It produced 22 leaves last season outdoors. If your amaryllis only produced 2 leaves last year, it may not have enough power to flower next season (flowers are formed 18 months ahead of flowering). However, just keep growing it green, and the following year it should come out with all it's power again.

If you would like to see an interactive slideshow, go here:
http://photobucket.com/albums/v311/lilium/hippeastrum/
and press the "slideshow" button.

Good luck,
Kenneth