Amaryllis Care
To produce healthy, flowering amaryllis, water plant sparingly until the leaves and flower begin to emerge from the bulb. After the flower bud has appeared, fertilize and increase water.
In frost-free climates, amaryllis are grown in the open field or in beds and borders around the home. They are excellent landscape subjects for use as individual specimens, in mass plantings, in beds, or as part of the border planting around home grounds and in park plantings. They are easily grown indoors.
It is common occurrence with many to fail with amaryllis after the first or second year. The reason for failure lies in the care given the bulbs, especially in the initial watering and subsequent care after blooming. (Blooming is proof that the bulb is of mature blooming size and had previously formed bloom buds.)
The Bulbous Group: The bulbous group of anemones blooms almost whenever desired, depending on the culture and the time the corms are planted. In sections where it is too cold in winter, corms should be cured or ripened after the flowering period by being lifted from the ground to dry and store. If left in the ground to cure they must be protected against excess moisture; the corms cannot stand frost. The corms are of unusual structure, some resembling a three-cornered horn.
Once the leaf tip emerges from the center of the bulb, and after the bloom stem has cleared the scales, it is definite that roots are feeding the bulb and it is time to apply more water to the soil regularly, keeping it moist but not soggy.
However, to start the foliage into full growth before the bloom and bud appear may cause the bud to rot or abort and there can be a healthy set of leaves growing and no evidence of a bloom coming. It is wise not to water the bulb until the bloom bud shows, regardless of how promising the foliage looks.
Grow bulbs in a mixture of three parts rich loam, one part well-rotted leaf mold and another of well-rotted cow manure, with some sand and bone meal. Set the bottom third of the bulb in the soil mixture. Water carefully, and, once the bloom bud clears the neck of the bulb, use liquid manure or emulsion once a week or every ten days pending upon the growing conditions, until toe color begins to show in the blossom buds through the sheath.
Full sunlight is best fat sturdiness, and a temperature between 55 60F. (12.78 and 15.56C.) is best. Tie bloom stem loosely to a stake to prevent is being broken. The blooms can be cut and us as cut flowers.
Tags: family, flowers, gardening, home, plants
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