- 1). Purchase an Amaryllis kit when they become available in October or November or purchase individual bulbs in the fall. The larger the bulb the larger the flower will be. Choose bulbs that do not have any cuts, scrapes, or indentations. The bulb can have roots but it should not have any stem growing from the top. If the bulb will not be planted immediately it can be stored in the crisper of the refrigerator.
- 2
Clay pots can be painted to make them fancy.Clay pots image by Charlene Bayerle from Fotolia.com
Choose a pot. Kits come with pots. Those who purchase bulbs separately need the right kind of pot. It must be heavy because the flower, when it blooms, is very top heavy and will tip over a light pot. Amaryllis bulbs need to be well drained so there must be at lease one drain hole in the bottom of the pot. Size of the pot is important. For one bulb the pot should be at least seven inches deep and two inches wider than the widest part of the bulb. - 3). Pour lukewarm water into a bowl and soak the roots of the bulb for about 2 hours. Do not immerse the whole bulb, just the bottom part of it. This will send a signal to the bulb that it is time to start growing. Only do this step right before potting.
- 4). Fill the pot half way with potting soil. Place the bulb with the roots at the bottom in the soil. Fill in around the bulb with more soil and pack it firmly around the bulb. Leave about one third of the top of the bulb uncovered sitting above the soil line. Water the bulb well.
- 5). Place the pot in a warm area in direct sunlight. Heat from the sun will activate the bulb. Do not water the bulb until the stem starts to grow. This may take two to three weeks and sometimes longer.
- 6
Amaryllis bulbs make wonderful centerpieces and bring a pop of color to the room decor.plante amaryllis rouge 2 image by Freddy Smeets from Fotolia.com
After the stem starts to grow, water regularly whenever the soil feels dry. Fertilize with water soluble houseplant fertilizer every two weeks. Rotate the plant to keep the stem straight and insert a bamboo stake if the flower heads droop.
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