Amaryllis Blooms for Holidays: Guidance on Storing, Caring, and Additional Tips
The Amaryllis, a popular choice for the holiday season, symbolizing festive cheer, is a versatile and beautiful plant that can be grown both indoors and outdoors. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to care for your Alfresco Amaryllis bulb after blooming, ensuring it recharges and prepares for another stunning display.
After Blooming
Resist the urge to cut the foliage immediately. Instead, let the leaves grow as they photosynthesize, replenishing the bulb's nutrients for the next season.
Watering
Water moderately, allowing the soil to dry slightly between watering. Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.
Light
Place your Amaryllis in bright, indirect light during growth periods. This encourages healthy foliage and bulb recharge.
Dormancy
When the leaves yellow and die back, trim them off, then store the bulb in a cool, dry spot for about 8-10 weeks to rest.
Replanting
After dormancy, replant the bulb in well-draining soil or potting mix, ensuring that 1/3 of the bulb remains above the soil.
Outdoor Growth
In warmer climates (USDA zones 8–11), plant the bulb with the neck above the soil, water during dry spells, and mulch to retain moisture. Indoors, choose a pot slightly larger than the bulb, provide bright indirect light, and rotate the pot periodically for even growth.
Please note that this guidance applies to typical Amaryllis bulbs. Waxed Amaryllis bulbs sold as single-use do not rebloom and should be discarded after their initial flowering. Ensure your Alfresco Amaryllis is the typical bulb suitable for replanting and care.
A Brief History
The Amaryllis originated in Greek mythology, where it symbolized the love of a maiden named Amaryllis for a shepherd named Alteo. Today, the Amaryllis is a testament to enduring love, representing determination, beauty, and love.
Partnership
Charles Barnhoorn of Hadeco, a flower bulb farm based in South Africa, is a partner of Gardenuity, supplying them with Amaryllis bulbs, a specialty of Hadeco's.
Growing and Gifting
The Amaryllis bulb makes a lovely gift, often accompanied by a bamboo planter that can be used for an indoor herb garden when the Amaryllis is out of season. For those celebrating Valentine's Day, Gardenuity views this day as a celebration of all loves, not just romantic, and encourages growing Amaryllis as a symbol of love this Valentine's Day.
As individual flowers on the Alfresco Amaryllis fade, they can be carefully snipped off. Once the bulb has completed its blooming cycle, cut the stem back to within a few inches of the bulb to prepare it for storage.
Following these steps will help your Alfresco Amaryllis bulb recharge and prepare for blooming again in future seasons. Happy growing!
After the blooming period, consider moving your Alfresco Amaryllis to a home-and-garden setting, where it can thrive in a larger pot and a more expansive lifestyle. This will allow the bulb to grow new foliage, absorbing nutrients and preparing for another stunning display, much like how home gardening provides a nurturing environment for various plants to flourish.