Even though we live in Maine and soon it will be a frozen tundra around here, I still like to see a little green during the winter months. Even if it’s only indoors.
Some years I buy orchids in January or a house plant for a bit of color, other years I plant paperwhites or amaryllis bulbs just for the anticipation of being able to watch and wait for something to bloom.
This year I ordered 3 amaryllis blushing bride bulbs from Van Engelen and yesterday, I potted them up.
Christmas flowering amaryllis bulbs usually take about four to six weeks to bloom once potted. So with a little luck, they should make their appearance somewhere between Christmas and New Years.
The particular bulbs I selected will typically yield two, and sometimes even three, successive flowering stems with multiple flowers so I’m pretty excited about that.
If you have never forced an amaryllis bulb before, they are crazy easy to grow. Here’s how to do it.
How to Plant an Amaryllis Bulb
First, soak the roots in lukewarm water for about an hour or so. This helps to soften the dry roots and really gives the bulbs a bit of a jump start in the growing process.
Don’t oversoak them though, or you could actually damage the bulbs and cause them to mold or even rot. Stick to soaking them for just 1 hour. 🙂
Next, fill your container about halfway with moistened all-purpose potting soil.
Then set the bulb on top of the moistened soil. Ideally, you want to grow your bulb in a pot that is only about an inch wider than your bulb as amaryllis bulbs seem to do really well when they are a bit pot bound. Nice and cozy, that’s the key.
Next, carefully tamp down some additional moistened soil around the bulb so that the top quarter or third of the bulb is above the surface of the soil.
Then place your pot in an area with direct sunlight and at room temperature {about 70 degrees} in a space with good air circulation with normal to low humidity.
While it’s tempting to want to water the bulb, you don’t need to water the bulb again until the first signs of growth are apparent {about 2-3 weeks} as over-watering may inhibit root and plant growth. Once the amaryllis starts to grow, water evenly around the base of the bulb whenever the surface soil dries out.
That’s it. Growing an amaryllis bulb is that easy. I’ll make sure and update this post with more pictures as my amaryllis bulb progresses.
Hey! The weekend, it’s finally here. I hope you have a good one.
Keep Calm and Grow On.
~Mavis
P.S. Will you be growing anything indoors this winter? If so, what? Curious minds want to know. 😉
UPDATE
I planted my amaryllis bulbs on November 18, and this is what one of the bulbs looked like on December 1st, just 13 days later.
Here’s what it looked like on January 9th, around the 7 week mark.
And finally by Mid January it was in full bloom {with 4 flowers!}. 🙂
Suemn says
You’ve got me excited to plant one or two amaryllis this year:)
Rhonda says
What do you do with the paperwhite or amaryllis bulbs after they flower? Is it a one time use or can they be used again?
Pam Wickstrom says
I planted mine in a pot and placed outside during our summer, (Oregon). It bloomed a second time. I cut leaves down and let it die back. Now it is growing again inside the house because of cold temps
LindaT says
I have amaryllis bulbs that have bloomed for the last several years. I put the bulbs out in the garden after the last frost, then cut back the foliage and take them in in Sept. and let the bulbs rest unplanted I usually plant them in Dec or January and they always do well. Just don’t overwater.
Ann says
I have been told not to cut the leaves in the fall, just stop watering and let them die back. Should I cut them or not?? Thank you.
Becky says
I never cut the live leaves. I let them die back naturally and cut once dead.
Ashley Bananas says
I live in SWFL and they are in many yards here. Love seeing them come up every Spring and Summer.
Marlene Wurtzbacher says
Growing chocolate oregano, rosemary and purple Campanula on my kitchen windowsill.
Melissa says
I have 4 orchids and they’re putting out flower spikes for a spring bloom.
Susan says
My daughter gave me a blooming orchid for Mother’s Day. I did real well not overwatering it, and it bloomed again on her December birthday. I am ready to repot directions said NOT in winter. It is summer here in Florida and repotting will happen when it stops blooming. Easy plant if you are willing to neglect it.
Dianne says
My Thanksgiving Cactus is almost in full bloom! Right on time! I always thought it was a Christmas cactus, which like to bloom early. I found out there are 3 types of cactus and can tell my their leaves. Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas!
LL Honeywell says
I also have a cactus that blooms around the fourth of July with red blossoms. My Thanksgiving cactus is giving me a great display now.
Theda Zimmerman says
Out amarilyus is plants, showing slight growth. Also have paper whites planted, show no green growth, all do show root growth. Anxious to see some green!
Linda Practical Parsimony says
I bought two amaryllis, Apple Blossom) (pink one) and a red one. Every year for the last 20 years, I have planted amaryllis in the house. I love their showy blooms. They are sooo easy to grow. This year, I bought paperwhites, too.
Annette says
Hmmm. Just a coincidence the name “blushing bride”, or perhaps related to The Girl’s new jewelry??? Inquiring minds want to know.
Katie C says
Aww, now I know what to get my Mama for her birthday. Thanks, Mavis!
Victoria says
I am in Ontario. Growing coleus, geraniums and trying potato vine for garden next year. Thinking about Amaryllus now as we put a greenhouse in this year and I have been told they do really well in greenhouses after blooming in a house. Love these articles fully of knowledge.
Cindy Miller says
I planted my amaryllis two weeks ago Sunday. Wow! It is at least 2 feet already. Looking forward to the bloom. Thanksgiving cactus (white) is on it’s second bloom this fall. I still have African violets in bloom. Thankful for the colors over the winter.
Sasa says
Good morning, thank you for the information I just received amaryllis plant from my neighbor and I knew nothing about them hence I wanted to know more. This is a beautiful plant now I will plant more of them, thank you again
Amy W says
I have been astounded by the price of amaryllis and paperwhite bulbs this year! It seems like they are 3x the normal price?! Yikes!