Expert: Kenneth Joergensen - 9/26/2006

Question
Kenneth,
I have 3 potted amaryllis bulbs growing in my flower garden.  We have had a couple of light frosts and I have moved them inside.  The bulbs appear to be much larger than when I set them out in May.  I live Cheyenne, Wy, elevation 6200', borderline between zone 4 & 5.  My question; how do I store and start these bulbs so I can have an amaryllis blooming in Dec, Jan and Feb.
tnx,  kindagardenerBob

Answer
Aren't these Amaryllis (hippeastrum) just great ???.

You did just right by putting them outdoors. Give them plenty of fertilizer, sun and water and they can double in size. The larger they get (the more leaves they produce) the more flowers you will have. Wonderful.

Did you know that an amaryllis bulb which increases 50% in circumference (from say 10 inches to 15 inches) will have 3 doubled the stored energy ?

You have two choices:
either pot up amaryllis now and let them grow as potted plants until they are ready to bloom on their own. Timing becomes difficult and they will bloom according to their own schedule.

You can also let them dry on a cardboard until the leaves dry out and die back. The cut the nose of the bulb straight across. This will allow you to see when flower scapes or leaves start to poke out through the nose again.

Leave in a cardboard box in cool (not hot, not cold) temperatures, say 60F-65F for 13-15 weeks. Light is not important (actually darkness works, but don't forget them). When they are ready, leaves or flower scapes will start to poke up through the nose, and you can pot them up. Then move to sunny window. You can remove dead roots, but try not to damage or cut healthy white roots.

You can not be assured a specific timing but typically 3-4 months of rest and 8-9 months of active growth is what you can expect. If you let them die back with 14-21 days interval, you will - technically - have flowers every 14-21 days, but they do vary a bit depending on their existing "cycle" and also there are so many variables, such as temperatures etc so it is not straight science. However, first one should bloom by early January and then the rest shortly after. Check frequently.

I our area we grow them outdoors until end of October, and they bloom in February/March. I always buy a new one for Christmas and this is how I add, and add, and add, and add to my collection. I also like to seperate the offsets (baby bulbs which form near the mother bulb at the base) after the small leaves, which they put out, have been growing for one full season (e.g. do not be in a hurry to seperate).

E.g.:
- pot up and grow as houseplants, or
- store dry until leaves die back, cut nose straight accross, store dry and cool (not cold) for 3-4 months until ready, and then pot up.

I have a link for you to an article that I wrote when I used to write as columnist for the suite101.com website. There are pictures there, too, for you to look at.

http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/home_lawncare/112076

(copy/paste above link into the browser's address bar)

If you appreciated the answer above, can I ask your help in rating my reply. Thank you.

-- Kenneth