care

this instruction refers to the amaryllis cultivars. the entitlements of the natural forms can be different.

location / lighting

the amaryllis grows best if located bright and sunny the year round. a light shaded place will be tolerated. during summer it can be placed in the garden or on the balcony. to avoid leaf burn, the plant should get some time to adapt full sun. when the temperatures begin to drop permanently below 10 °c/50 °f, they come back to the house. make sure that rainwater can easily run out of the pot.

soil

a regular potting or cactus mix can be used. i’m using a mixture of potting soil, coarse sand and pumice (2:1:1). to avoid rotting, the roots should only be covered with soil until the bulb is half to one third sitting in the substrate.

watering

if in bloom and grow (spring-summer) the amaryllis can be deep watered. what’s flowing out of the pots hole must be removed after a few minutes. sitting in water can cause rott. before adding water next allow to nearly dry.

feeding

a half diluted water soluble fertilizer can be given monthly in spring/summer. new bought or recently repotted plants don’t need to be feeded for the first six to eight weeks.

after bloom

the flower stems can be cut off after it has wilted. do not remove the leaves!

rebloom

there are two ways to bring the amaryllis to bloom again next year again:

the safe method

stop watering and feeding for eight weeks, beginning in september/october. if the foliage has died back it can be cutted off. during this period, the pot can be stored in a cool (approx. 15 °c/59 °f) and dark location.

after that time bringt it back into the light and warmth. the top of the soil can be replaced with some new. now water deeply, but only once. before adding water next you have to wait until the amaryllis is showing its flower spike. otherwise the plant will only show leaves.

the gentle method

in october/november place the pot on a cool location at approx. 10-15 °c/50-59 °f. stop feeding and reduce watering. give only as much needed, that the leaves do not droop or start to dry up.

after eight to twelf weeks bringt it back into the warmth. start regular watering and feeding.