Christmas Gift Amaryllis Kit - Red Tin

Getting Started
When Your Bulbs Arrive

Open the box right away and check the contents

Choose a standard size flower pot, so the large bulb has approximately 1" around the sides and at the bottom (these bulbs do not need much root space). Amaryllis do not need specific soil, however we suggest using soil, or a mixture of soil, peat and perlite (do not use pine bark, as it may encourage rot). Place the bulb so the top inch or so of the shoulders sticks up out of the soil (see below)

Watering

Water very sparingly until the sprout is well out of the bulb. When first planted, place the pot in a sunny , and add "bottom heat" if possible. Many people do this by placing the pot on a radiator. Once the sprout appears, water regularly, but do not overwater. Overwatering is the quickest way to kill amaryllis. Your amaryllis will grow quickly and produce its spectacular huge flowers with minimal care.

Remember to keep turning the pot regularly to make the stalk grow straight, as they have a tendency to grow toward the light. Once the bulb is flowing, it is best to keep the plant out of direct sunlight. Your bulb will produce several flowers on each stalk and most will grow two or three stalks. Remove each flower as it fades.

Amaryllis Outdoors (Zones 9 - 11)

Since these bulbs are tropical (native to South America), they can be grown beautifully outdoors in very warm and frost-free zones. This means from southern Georgia down through Florida, south Texas, and much of the Pacific coast. Planting time in these areas is usually September or October, and if the bed is well-cared for, the bulbs will stay in the ground and flower for years. If you'd like to propagate your amaryllis, our friends at Floridata.com have good Instructions.

Shop for all Amaryllis Bulbs and Kits

Aftercare:

After winter bloom, if you want to rebloom your amaryllis, it's quite simple.  When blooms fade, cut off the tubular flower stems near the top of the bulb, leaving the foliage to continue growing.

Water as usual and apply water-soluble fertilizer every four weeks. Once spring arrives and frost is past, sink the Amaryllis pot in the garden in a sunny place. Continue to fertilize. At the end of the summer when frost threatens, simply pull the pot out of the ground, wash it out, and take it inside, and allow it to dry out completely in a warm dry place like a utility room.  Once the leaves are dead and the bulb dry (usually 5 to 6 weeks), the bulb is ready for repotting.  Simply cut off the dry leaves, and repot your bulb in fresh potting soil and start the growing cycle again.