Barbados Amaryllis Bulb

20-24” tall x 9-12” wide. Chase away the winter blues with the tropical flair of Barbados Amaryllis. The bright red blooms make Barbados a holiday favorite, but these show-stoppers can be grown throughout the winter months. Amaryllis are grown indoors in containers. Begin potting bulbs in late October and stagger plantings one to two weeks apart for continuous blooms all winter. Bulbs begin flowering six to ten weeks after planting. Amaryllis leaves tend to grow toward light. Simply rotate the container regularly to keep plants well balanced. The long stems and large blooms make wonderful cut flowers. For flower arrangements, cut stems at a 45-degree angle when they first flower bud begins to color and is about to open. Amaryllis have tropical origins and can be grown in the ground outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 9-11 with warm, frost-free climates. When cared for properly, bulbs can produce blooms year after year.

Planting Amaryllis: Choose a standard size flower pot, so the large bulb has approx. 1" around sides and at bottom. (These bulbs do not need much root space.) Use soil, or a mixture of soil, peat and perlite. (Do not use pine bark.) Place bulb so top inch or so of bulb sticks up out of the soil. Place the pot with your freshly-planted bulb on top of the refrigerator, radiator, or other spot that provides 'bottom heat' to encourage quicker sprouting.

Watering: Water sparingly until the sprout is well out of the bulb. Once sprout appears, water regularly, but do not overwater. Your amaryllis will grow quickly and produce its spectacular huge flowers. Remember to keep turning the pot regularly to make the stalk grow straight, as they have a tendency to grow and bend towards the light. Once in flower, it's best to keep plant out of direct sunlight to keep the blooms from fading. Simply remove each flower as it begins to pale. Your bulb will produce several flowers.

Aftercare: When all flowers are gone, 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. In spring, after danger of frost, sink the Amaryllis pot in the garden in a sunny place for the summer. Continue to fertilize. At the end of the summer, place the pot on its side and allow the soil to dry out. Cut off the dry leaves, and in about six weeks repot your bulb in fresh potting soil and start the growing cycle all over again.

Growing Amaryllis Outdoors: In USDA zones 9-11, amaryllis can be planted outdoors in the garden. Florida, southern Georgia, Texas, and much of the west coast provide an adequate, frost-free climate for Amaryllis. Plant bulbs in October in loose, well-drained soil. Set bulbs with the upper third sticking out above the soil line. Water the bulbs in and begin fertilizing after the leaves appear. When cared for properly, bulbs will flower for many years to come.