Amaryllis Bulbs - An Investment?

Bonus - Don’t know the name - it bloomed as a double - Elegant Blush Colour

Amaryllis bulbs - those gorgeous giant long lasting blooms! They are a perennial that with care will produce and multiply for over 25 years. In fact they are really pretty low maintenance given the their bloom time and bloom life. They bloom here in the Northern hemisphere in late fall through the Holidays and well into the New Year depending upon when you start them. Amaryllis also make wonderful long lasting Seasonal Gifts too. In fact they originate is Tropical to Sub-tropical climates, which is why they grow well in warm sites. The most common type is Hippeastrum (hollow stems) vs Amaryllis (solid stem) but both are from a large Genus Amaryllidacea, and commonly just called Amaryllis by the average purchaser. This Genus contains both Bulbs and Rhizomes. The best known bulbs of this Genus are Amaryllis, Hippeastrum, Narcissus, Galanthus (Snowdrops). The same Genus also includes Rhizomes such as Agapanthus, Nerine, and Olivia. Also, Single and Double varieties exist. The Singles will provide more blooms per stem than the Doubles.

So why did I mention investment? Well they are very pricey compared to Narcissus, especially when you get larger sized bulbs, but there is a reason. The larger the Bulb the more stems with multiple blooms you will have. Yes size does matter in this case! There are so many colours to choose from and new cultivars cropping up with new colour variations, which makes for a large selection. Purchasing Amaryllis bulbs should be considered and investment just like another perennial! Sizing of the bulbs start at 26-28 cm and go above 40 cm. The size of the bulb also affects size the container you use for the bulb as well. In general really cost more but you will get what you pay for!

Variation in Amaryllis Bulb Size

I admit I am as guilty as the next person for not trying harder to maintain a collection of Amaryllis bulbs for annual bloom, but this year will be different. Have you purchased just Single stems from a Florist - they are one of the most expensive Wholesale Cut Flowers a Florist can buy!!!! I too, am guilty of not selecting cheaper options for December bouquets but they are just so magnificent.

Sample Components from a Previous December Bouquet.

Getting down to the requirements of growing Amaryllis!

Bulb size is a major determinant of the number of blooming stems. The bigger the bulb the more stems. Increased number of stems also means a longer blooming period. Months in fact! Select the colour and size of Bulb and a container that drains well and is just about 1 inch bigger than the circumference of the bulb and has some weight to it.

Mine might be slightly less in width, but because they can get quite tall and top heavy leave room for the potential small branch for support would be a clever plan. Fill the container halfway with moistened (not too damp) potting mix, and place your bulb with growing tip facing up (roots into soil). If you over water or use too damp (soggy) mix it could promote root and bulb rot. Add more soil so the bulb appears to be 1/3 above the soil line.

I like to add moss that I have collected from our Spruce Forest floor to place above the soil portion just for aesthetics. Only water when the soil is dry or first green growth appears. I also use a standard Household fertilizer (5-10-10)once I have growth initiated. Overwatering is too common an error so be careful!

I also like the look of bulbs with moss, but Amaryllis like most bulbs can be grown in water with stone, but like Paperwhites, the base of the bulb does not touch the water. Also consider the size of the stem and blooms when determining the size of the container for your gravel/pebbles.

Various stages of Growth and Bloom of various varieties of Amaryllis

Place your newly planted bulb in a bright location. In fact, Amaryllis love dappled shade, but light levels in January are still low so up near a window. Now wait for bloom. Turn your pots every so often to help keep the stem straight, instead of growing on a slant toward the light.

Once blooming is complete you can deadhead the spent blooms. When all stems have finished blooming you cut the stems back to base but leave the leaves, they are providing nutrients for bloom generation next season. I actually cut the stem and use as a cut flower, especially if another stem on the same bulb, is coming along.

Let the foliage die back and let soil dry out over the summer. Then late August or September store your Potted Bulb in a garage or basement (if dry and cool 50-55F) for a minimum of 8-10 weeks - 2.5 months (minimum) This storage period timing is important if you want blooms for Christmas or later in Holiday Season. I was late planting bulbs so I received a benefit of my tardiness in the form of January and February Blooms or longer, but not at Christmas. They normally bloom 6-8 weeks after waking up so take a look at the calendar and figure out your initial bloom period. Actually, I think the New Years blooms are really special particularly when there isn’t anything else but snow outside, but you have fresh flowers! Once the Dormant period is over, you can repot or simply water around the perimeter of the bulb to encourage new round of growth.

If you want to make a seasonal display with your Amaryllis the sky is the limit. Plan on your container(s) to have some minimum requirements like 4-6” deep due to the size of the Bulb(s). I like adding other bulbs like Paperwhites or mini daffodils to cover the soil and sides of bulbs with moss I have collected in late fall. I spritz the moss to keep it moist. Be creative! After the blooming follow the instructions for reblooming.

Some Amaryllis come sealed in Wax - do not require pot or water, making them effortless care. The wax covering has been getting fancier as the years go by. The disadvantage to Waxed Amaryllis is that they are shorter and stockier. But if you are patient you can scrap all the wax off the bulb, then pot it up as normal. In other words, allow the leaves to die back and then force dormancy for 2.5 months. I have never purchased one of the Waxed Amaryllis, so I have no firsthand knowledge of them. But I am sure they are worth every cent.

Amaryllis Red Pearl

Below is a list of Commonly found Amaryllis Varieties:

• Red Lion

• Mont Blanc

• Appleblosson

• Red Pearl

• Gervase

• Samba

• Sweet Star

• White Numph

• Ferrari

• Rilona