We fill our homes with evergreens this time of year, and one of my favorite things about December is the botanicals that are also a part of the traditions of this season: poinsettia, paperwhites, and amaryllis.
This year my red amaryllis had three separate blooms, props to Trader Joe’s for whomever they chose as their amaryllis supplier, I’ve had flowers for weeks from a single bulb.
I love a vivid solid red bloom, however amaryllis is available in several varieties and colors including pink, white, and variegated striped petals.
Interestingly, the trumpet shaped flowers we buy for their holiday blooms are forced indoors, but outdoors, their natural flowering time is spring.
Amaryllis can rebloom with proper care. With an adjustment to their watering schedule and storage conditions, your amaryllis will bloom repeatedly. Bulbs need to go through a rest period after flowering to recover and bloom again.
When the amaryllis flowers wilt, trim the spent flowers so the plant doesn’t waste energy forming a seed pod. Do not cut away the stems or leaves.
Allow the leaves to grow throughout the spring and summer in indirect light, watering regularly. Continued leaf growth ensures photosynthesis, which helps the plant store energy in the bulb for future growth. The collection of energy after the flowers expire is essential for repeated blooms.
As long as the flower stem is green, it continues to photosynthesize helping the bulb to store energy for future flowers and foliage. Once the color lightens and starts to turn yellow, remove the stem, trimming it close to the base. Apply a water soluble fertilizer eight weeks before your desired blooming period which allows the bulb to bloom again with the additional nutrients.
Wishing you all a lovely Christmas!