Packing the soil down also helps to ensure that the plant has a strong foundation once it begins to flower. Mike and Dorothy McKenney (author) from United States on July 14, 2018: I love them too! Mike and Dorothy McKenney (author) from United States on April 28, 2020: You are probably watering too much. Then, water as usual and apply water-soluble fertilizer every four weeks. A support stake is handy for keeping the blooms upright, but little else is required. Plant the seeds about 1 inch (2.5cm) deep in a regular soil. If the roots sit in water for too long, they will get waterlogged and may begin to rot. apart. Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Other than that, be sure you keep the plant out of harm’s way and out of direct sunlight during long portions of the day. In areas where frost is possible, set the bulbs with 5 to 6 inches of soil above them, followed by 5 to 6 inches of mulch. Amaryllis bulbs need to be planted in an area where they will receive full sun. Amaryllis belladonna photograph by Leonora (Ellie) Enking. I appreciate all the good tips. But many of them can be grown outdoors year-round in certain zones for gardeners who simply want to beautify their garden. For either planting method, and choose a sunny location or one with bright light such as an indoor window sill. Then half fill the pot with peat-free, multi-purpose compost, breaking up any lumps and lightly firming it in place with your fingers. How to plant an Amaryllis bulb in a pot. Is that too much water or is it normal.I have to irrigate the bed and often wonder if I give too much water or not enough. The amaryllis comes in many beautiful colors including various shades of red, white, pink, salmon, and orange. The leaves of amaryllis plants will grow through the summer and disappear in the fall if the plants are dried off; otherwise, some of the foliage will remain. Plant Amaryllis ‘Picotee’ bulbs 10-12 weeks before you want them to flower. 3 Steps to Planting Amaryllis Flower Bulbs. Once you water the bulbs, you need to be careful not to wet the portion of the bulbs that is above the ground. Using a pot only a little bigger than the bulb, cover two thirds of the bulb with general purpose compost, leaving the upper third uncovered. If you planted the bulbs in a pot, make sure you have a dish underneath it to prevent water leaking out onto whatever surface you have below. Fill your container with new potting mix only about a third to half full. … They all bloom for me every year. Be careful not to over soak the bulb as you can cause mold to form and the roots to rot. Placement and Watering Plant the bulb, or place the potted bulb in a warm place with direct light since heat is necessary for the development of the stems. Remove dried leaves and mulch that you had placed over it during the winters, and let the bright sun warm the plant. In warm climates, amaryllis are happy outdoors year-round and bloom in stunning, vibrant displays of color in the spring. This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. I notice that many of the leaves turn yellow and become very limp. This will help the plant produce energy for the next year's bloom. If you are having trouble weighing down the pot, put a little bit of gravel at the bottom. Simply plant your bulb and add water. Once determined, and if necessary, amend it a few months prior to planting, as amaryllis grows better in a soil mix that is high in organic matter. They should bloom the following year, around Mother's Day. Amaryllis bulbs can be planted directly into the soil in zones 8-10 and generally live outdoors all year long. With the arrival of spring, the transplanted amaryllis plant is ready to blossom. Your plant should grow a number of leaves during the spring and summer. You can usually expect your amaryllis to flower in mid-spring, although occasionally flower stalks will develop in the fall, usually during the first season. Thanks so much for reading! According to the internet, there are about 155 different ways to get your Amaryllis bulbs growing (said in jest), but I will just stick with what works for me. Keep them moist and in partial shade until they begin to sprout. It gets this name because its flowers are carried on a (sometimes two) naked stem(s) that has no leaves. You will need to plant the offsets twice as deep as their height, but don't plant them as deep as the mature bulbs. Depending on the bulb size, pots need to be from 10 to 16 inches (25 to 41 cm) in diameter to have 2 bulbs in each pot. Most of them I have had at one time or another in other locations, but we are now in New Mexico so some of them just aren't right for here. As a garden plant : In zones 8 to 10, amaryllis bulbs can be planted in the garden. Although any size pot will do your amaryllis will look better in a pot that is just slightly larger than the bulb you are planting. Working time 20 mins Start to finish 20 mins Pamela Oglesby from Sunny Florida on July 14, 2018: I really like these flowers, and I have some that have done well. Last Updated: June 1, 2020 Once the flowers have bloomed, which will occur in 7-10 weeks, store the plant in a slightly cooler location to help prolong the life of the flowers. Set the bulb in place, making sure the top sits just above the pot. Here in NY they thrive outdoors during summer in part shade. Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Can I plant amarylis bulbs in the ground at any time? Plant bulbs in drifts in your garden for a big show of color. If your area is entirely frost-free, plant the bulbs with their necks at, or slightly above, ground level. These bulbs go dormant in the winter, so they don't require water or attention. Where: If you are in USDA growing zones 9–11, you are in luck if you are planning to plant your amaryllis bulbs outside. Just plant the bulb in good potting soil, water regularly and provide bright, indirect light. How to Plant Amaryllis Bulbs. In addition to the leaves coming up directly from the center of the bulb, some leaves came up from the side of the bulb. You will likely have to wait a few years for them to fully grow, however! These offsets can be carefully detached from the main bulb, to create new flowers. Experience also seems to indicate, the longer the bulbs are out of the ground at planting time, along with the greater the drying back of root growth, the more years it will take the bulbs to flower. It's really that simple. Because of this, they're an incredibly popular choice of plant for the beginner gardener. I thnk it was dumb luck that hey are growing with full sun, etc. Replant the bulbs immediately, or you can store them in a cool, dry place until it's time to plant them in the fall. Because of the fact you can control the indoor temperature relatively easily, amaryllis plants can be grown at any point during the year. Amaryllis bulbs need to be planted in an area where they will receive full sun. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. Choose a Pot. Once you have the ideal place in mind for planting, determine the soil's pH, which will help you in determining if your soil is sand, silt, clay, or loam. Good thing they are among the easiest bulbs to grow! wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Tip. This is the amaryllis hippeastrum Peach Melba. Thanks for reading! Place the bulb in the ground with the tip at or just below the soil level. While growing amaryllis indoors, you should fertilize the plant every two to three weeks. Creating the Right Environment for Your Plant, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d5\/Plant-Amaryllis-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Plant-Amaryllis-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d5\/Plant-Amaryllis-Step-1.jpg\/aid7317282-v4-728px-Plant-Amaryllis-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"