Garden and Orchard - Homestead Life

Double Red Amaryllis

Growing Amaryllis

I haven’t had the best of luck with Amaryllis over the years. There was one pretty white and pink Amaryllis that flowered and survived for a few years as one of my houseplants. But I never really got the hang of putting it into dormancy and then inducing a new flush of flowers.

I’ve purchased the dormant bulbs for my Grandmother when she was still alive, and for my Mother. Theirs did well and bloomed beautifully. Grandma even sent a photo of her pretty flowers.

Last year I bought an Amaryllis bulb and potted it up. The photo on the box showed a beautiful pale pink flower, flawless and huge. I took it home and planted it. I watered and tended to it with care. The bud swelled up and it was kind of exciting, waiting for it to pop open. Alas, the bud blasted and I never got a bloom from it. I never knew what caused it.

So it was with a bit of cynicism that I bought another bulb this fall and potted it up. “I’ll probably just kill it,”  I thought to myself. But I bought it anyway and figured what the heck. This year the bulb did just fine and the first blossom started to unfurl the day before yesterday!

It was just in time to wish me a Happy Valentine’s! It looks like the first flower stalk has 4 flower buds and the second stalk has 5. 🙂 I spent a bit more on this bulb and I’m glad I did.

About Amaryllis:

  • Scientific name Amaryllis belladonna
  • Native to South America and Africa
  • Store dormant bulbs between 40 and 50 degrees F in a dry place.
  • Soak the bulb for about an hour before planting.
  • Plant with 1/3 of the bulb above the soil line.
  • Keep in direct sun at temps between 68 and 80 degrees F.
  • Do not allow the soil to remain constantly wet. Water when top 1″ of soil is dry.
  • It takes approximately 7 to 10 weeks for Amaryllis to bloom from the time the bulb is planted.
  • Flower stalks may need to be staked to prevent flopping.
  • Rotate plant 1/4 turn every day because they will grow toward the sunlight.
  • Water more once plant begins to flower.

Last fall I re-potted the pale pink Amaryllis and put it through a forced dormancy for a few weeks. Then I started watering it again and now it has a small flower stalk with a bud!

Have you ever grown Amaryllis? Have you tried to bring an old plant back into bloom?

18 Comments on “Double Red Amaryllis

  1. My amaryllis started as a single bulb, and I now have a crop! I guess the success is due benign
    neglect. Mine are not quite ready to bloom, but it won’t be long until they show their flashy faces.

  2. I don’t have a green thumb boo hoo so I’ve never tried to store and repot my amaryllis – going to try the ones I bought this past Christmas though, fingers crossed, they will come back.

    I love that your pink one has a bud YIPPIE!

    Happy weekend to you!

    1. Hi Sally!
      I bet you can get your amaryllis to bloom again 🙂 Just be sure to let it go dormant, but don’t forget it for too long! I’m excited to see the bloom on the pink one 🙂 It looks like it has another week or 2 to go.
      Have a great week!

  3. I’ve purchased potted amaryllis before, but I’ve never tried to bring an old bud back into bloom. I should try it, I know – because they are simply glorious flowers, aren’t they?

    Thanks so much for joining in this week, Lisa Lynn!

    xo
    Claudia

    1. Thanks for stopping by Claudia! I’m thinking some amaryllis blooms would look lovely in your cottage 🙂
      Have a great week and a Happy Blogging Anniversary!

  4. What a thrill to have this gorgeous Amaryllis bloom! Congrats!! I live in Texas and I have to “trick,” my tulips into thinking they have a cold winter by refrigerating them 2 months prior to planting-Such a great post- thanks for the instructions!
    Jemma

  5. Pretty! I usually grow one or two after Christmas (cause that’s when they’re on clearance). I haven’t had any problems growing them and I love being to watch something grow during a time when hardly anything is growing. I just wish they lasted longer. I didn’t know to soak the bulb – will have to try that. Mine always need staking!

    1. Hi Manuela,
      I always wondered how well they would do when they are clearing them out after the holidays. I hate to see bulbs wasted 🙂 but I also hate to waste my money, even if it is on sale. I’ll have to try them now that I know you’ve had good luck.

      I haven’t had to stake this one, I just keep turning it a little bit and the plants around it are helping too. I always love to photos!

  6. First, your shots are beautiful. I had an amaryllis on my desk for the last four years of my working career. It bloomed ONCE. I think now that I watered it too much, and did not allow it to go dormant. It would throw up leaves, but never bloomed again. I gave up on it when I retired last year. After reading this, I may give it a try again!

  7. I do one every winter and get a kick out of watching them grow and then opening. Started one around Christmas…it’s done now but it had four huge blooms for awhile there. Enjoying your pic !

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