Today’s flower subject is Amaryllis.
How do YOU feel about them? Do you like them? Do you grow them?
I’ve only grown them twice, in the very distant past. But this year I was given one by Marian St. Clair who stayed with us for the night while giving a (fabulous!)
talk to our Garden Club.
There it is! “Cherry Nymph”, kindness of Marian.
Because I was/am fascinated by this plant, I decided to do a daily photo journal. Would you like to see? Read on…..
I planted it in soil on December 12 and, because I didn’t read instructions carefully (sound familiar?) I put it in a cool, fairly dark spot. NO NO NO! Nothing seemed to be happening, so thanks to Longfield Garden, I moved it to a warm, sunny, bright spot with lots of sun. And so it flourished . I didn’t start the photo journal until I really had something to show you, which was the day before Christmas, December 24th.
And then, on the 24th I noticed ALL the pesky fruit flies around the plant and in the kitchen . Oh yuck, what now? Google it, of course. THIS is where I found the best solution. I did just what they said: took the pot outside and scraped off about an inch of soil at the top. I filled in with some soil right from my garden. Then I put the small rocks all around the top of the bulb. It definitely worked: no more fruit flies at all!
Finally, the night of the 30th/31st the flowers came alive!
Just gorgeous, aren’t they? I’m waiting now for the second, smaller flower to come out.
The final portraits: these last two were taken yesterday, January 4th:
And it’s still going strong, ready to show me some new flowers. Next fall I will most definitely buy several (many?) Amaryllis bulbs and I’ll do a post letting you know the best sources. I want some of the white flowers…and maybe the two colored variety. So many choices!
Lovely flower Libby. Will you plant it afterwards? Snow is coming at terrible time for us. Stay safe.
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Thanks, Susie. Well, it’s 10 PM and still no snow in sight! We will see what happens over night….Stay safe and dry!
Wow! The double bloom is gorgeous and I love the color. Watching them grow is such fun, don’t you think? I started several just before Christmas to enjoy in January. One tip…look for the new hybrids like Cherry Nymph that offer shorter, thicker stems, as they’re less likely to flop over. And if you have a chance to hand pick, you want the biggest and heaviest bulb you can find.
Marian St.Clair recently posted…Ridleys Cheer
Thanks for the advice, Marian. So, do the on line sources ever state which are new hybrids? Or I should just check out the final stem height? This is just SO gorgeous!!
Should be in the plant description, but you can also look at stem height…about 18 inches is what you want.
Marian St.Clair recently posted…Ridleys Cheer
I gave my MOTHER ONE ONCE!!!!!!!THEY are BEAUTIFUL.I do not know why WE do not GRAVITATE to them…………I think I think they will not transplant well…………YOU will let me KNOW next YEAR!HAPPY NEW YEAR!Cold here in CALIFORNIA now………..OH OH OH you MUST READ my NEW BLOG POST!!!!!!!!YOU will LOVE where I AM GOING!
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Contessa: You saw my comment on your blog post, yes? Lucky you!!! yes, I will try to transplant and make this one last: we will see!!
Love them! Good to know about how to get rid of the fruit flies. Almost always a problem.
Jo Maeder recently posted…BEATING THE ODDS: FINDING LOVE AT ANY AGE
So you’ve had the fruit flies too? Pesky little devils! But this really did work!
I wonder why we hold back? They are just gorgeous, but I look at them, I love them, I comment how gorgeous they look but then I walk away and I am not sure why. Perhaps after reading this and seeing your gorgeous photos I shall give them a chance.
A resounding “yes” to this flower! We had one this year that I bought at Trader Joe’s. The bulb is encased in wax. It doesn’t require any soil or water. Just place it in a pot and watch it bloom. We had our first four blooms right at Christmas. Spectacular. Now a second bud is ready to unfold.
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I’ve seen those on line, and daughter mentioned them. So, they really do work and grow?? I’ll try one next year: great idea!!
I’m definitely going to try one next year. My indoor plant collection is slowly growing & it would be fun to add one to it.
I recommend it! See Marian’s comment above for the best kind/size to buy.
Absolutely 💕 Amaryllis! They can be planted outdoors in Spring, after blooming, in my area. They flower faithfully each Spring there after with minimal attention! Dutch varieties are those with taller stalks while the African hybrids have shorter stalks. The color choices are amazing- something for everyone, but I always gravitate toward white.
Happy New Year
Love your posts
Thanks so much for the advice! I am learning…slowly… So glad you like the posts; I try to write about timely, but useful, subjects. Let me know if there is something in particular you would like to see!
Hi Libby,
Your amaryllis is beautiful! I have a number of spring-blooming potted amaryllises that return year after year with some special instructions. After the last bloom finishes, I trim back the stalk and place the pot out on the deck for the spring and summer months where the leaves continue to grow and the bulb replenishes itself. A bit of fertilizer is added. In late August, early September, I cease watering them and eventually put them in the basement to die back. The leaves collapse and turn brown; I remove them. In late March, I bring the potted bulbs up to a sunny window and begin watering again. In approximately six weeks or so, the blooms appear even larger and more healthy than the previous year! Quite often the bulbs have reproduced an additional bulb to the side. The stems are huge and with several blooms! So worth the wait. I am looking forward to them as I write this now!
best, teaorwine
Sharon: Is this in Va. or Fla.? So, they don’t rebloom until what, April or May? In the same pot or do you then put them in the ground? I’ll try it! Between these and the dahlias…so much to remember to do on time!! Thanks for the advice. If you are in Fla. this winter, we may be driving down. Maybe we could meet??? Probably going to Amelia.Would love to meet in person!
Hi Libby,
This is in Virginia. Yes, it takes about 4-6 weeks for the blooms arrive, so they are off cycle from the bulbs prepared for the holidays. I see them growing the ground in Georgia and Florida! Just fun to keep them going if you can. Yes! Let me know when you are heading down south…would love to meet you and chat further!
best,
Sharon