Friday, November 02, 2012

Amaryllis - Beauty In The Winter Garden

I have planted amaryllis for many years in many ways, in large tall containers with colored marbles and water, in small pots with potting soil and stakes, in urns with painted dogwood branches for support and finally this year in larger clay pots with potting soil.

These are nine inch clay pots with the largest bulbs I could find.  I used Miracle Gro potting soil.

About two weeks ago, our garden club had a nursery owner as our presenter talking about fall bulbs including paperwhites and amaryllis.  His main point was if you want lots of blooms you have to buy the largest amaryllis bulbs you can find.  I guess I can't stand not having something blooming inside when outside has gone to sleep for the winter.  So, I gave in and bought some expensive amaryllis bulbs, huge, at $14.95 each and justified it that it is a small amount compared to what I spend in the spring and summer.

Larger pots were recommended so that the roots can spread out and become a better anchor for the two foot stalks of this amaryllis.  I never thought of this, but it makes sense that the larger the root base the less likely it will fall over.

The roots should be plentiful and healthy looking, spread out in the dirt as much as you can.  Plant the bulbs two thirds into the potting soil and water moderately.  Put in light but not direct sun and water sparingly until you see them sprouting, after which the soil should be kept damp.  Remove the flower stalks when flowers are spent.



I have bought amaryllis from Home Depot and have also ordered them online from a bulb company.  This time I went to a local nursery and picked the ones where most of them were gone, must be a good one if everyone wants it!  Well, it was a guess but a right one when I looked it up it got rave reviews.

Amaryllis Picotee

This is my winter garden, amaryllis, paperwhites and some poinsettias.  Maybe these with my yet undelivered catalogs will keep me happy until spring.

16 comments:

Tatyana@MySecretGarden said...

Is this THAT time of the year already? Amaryllis time? Everything is so green in my garden, it's impossible to think that winter is close! I'll be very curious to see your A. flowers! I kept my last year A. plants outdoors. They have green leaves right now. But, I don't think they'll bloom. They didn't have a cold period to prepare for blooming.
Have a great November, my dear gardening friend!

sharon said...

I love amaryllis because it blooms at my sons birthday every year except last year...weird bad omen...anyway I bought a huge bulb in Holland and smuggled it in....and it was an amazing display!

Lona said...

I hope my amaryllis bulbs will bloom this year after spending the summer outdoors in the sunshine. If not I will be scrambling to get bulbs for some winter color too Elaine. I had Picotee one year and it was beautiful.I know you will love tours.

CanadianGardenJoy said...

Eileen girl this is a beautiful plant! I have only tried this once but I am thinking about it again .. the problem is that my girls will find it too interesting .. so placing it high enough to keep it out of their reach ? yet low enough so we can watch it ? ... can't seem to find that perfect spot .. plus the boys sneeze at everything except Xmas cactus ! LOL
Joy : )

Leslie's Garden said...

I have never grown amaryllis, but the one you have chosen looks beautiful, I know you are going to love it! Wow, 2ft? That's huge! Can't wait to see it in bloom with your other winter bulbs!

Balisha said...

Hi Eileen,
Your Picotee will be a favorite for you. They are gorgeous. I have a few started...I simply love them.
Balisha

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Tatyana,

I am hoping they sprout since they were so costly. I have never kept the amaryllis because I do not have a lot of room for storage.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Sharon, I love amaryllis also but each year I really think about it. This year I thought I would try the larger pots.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Lona,

I do not have any experience with wintering over but it seems that if you let the leaves grow on it will bloom the following year.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

I know Joy I worry about the plants because we are considering a new puppy. I will have to become much more diligent about the plants.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Thanks Leslie,

I can't wait either because they are so big I just wonder how the plants are going to look.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Balisha,

I am so glad you have seen this amaryllis. I am always feeling that I am taking a chance with some of these bulbs.

Eileen

Jennifer said...

Hi Eileen, I had an amaryllis last year and quite enjoyed seeing it bloom. On the weekend, I eyed them in the store and may have to go back and buy at least one to try again this year. Thanks for the tips on how to care for them. (I am still relatively new on growing them.) The Picotee variety you chose is going to be wonderful to see.

Carol @ OhWhatA.com said...

Like Lona, I let my Amarylis spend the summer outside. Its back in now but looks quite sad. Long gangly droopy leaves. Any ideas of what I should be doing with it?

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Carol,

As of September 15th water is to be witheld and the foliage should wither and die off. If you have foliage now cut to 4" above the shoulder of the bulb. A few amaryllis are evergreen and the foliage should not be cut. Look up your variety on the internet.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Jennifer,

It is difficult to spend that kind of money on one bulb, but it is a winter garden and can reward you year after year if you hold it over.

Eileen