GardeningLeisure

How to Care for an Amaryllis Bulb After it Blooms

The amaryllis is a favorite flower of many, and for good reason. It’s an easy plant to take care of that brings beauty and colorful blooms during the colder months. As such, many people tend to purchase amaryllis bulbs around the holidays.

Unfortunately, many people don’t realize that they can save their bulbs for re-blooming. With the proper care, you can re-bloom amaryllis bulbs for decades, saving you money and bringing you years of enjoyment.

But how do you go about saving and re-blooming your amaryllis? It’s easy! In this article, we’re going to tell you how to care for an amaryllis bulb after it blooms. Follow the steps below:

Step 1. Cut the stalk(s).

After all of your blooms have died, cut the flowering stalk off as far down as you can, but make sure to leave the rest of the foliage untouched. Do not water the bulb after you have cut the stalks off. The bulb will dry out and take back the nutrients from the drying foliage.

Step 2. Cut the foliage off. 

After the foliage has all withered away, cut it all off right down to the bulb.

Step 3. Hang it up.

Place the bulb in some netting and hang it up in a cool and dry area.

Step 4. Replant the bulb.

If you’re wanting to have your amaryllis flowering again around the holidays, you should replant the bulb in early to mid-September for a Thanksgiving flowering, and late September to mid-October for a Christmas flowering.

When you plant the bulb, make sure to plant about 2/3 of the bulb in soil and have the other 1/3 of the bulb up. Make sure that the correct side of the bulb is facing upward (you will be able to see where you had cut the foliage off previously). You can plant this in regular potting soil, but make sure that your planter has proper drainage holes.

Tip: If you find that your bulb is sprouting too quickly, put it in the refrigerator. This will halt the growing process without damaging your plant. Alternatively, if you want it to bloom quicker, make sure it receives a lot of sunlight and is in a very warm environment–this will make it bloom faster. 

Step 5. Fertilize.

You can fertilize your plant after they have gotten their leaves in but before the flowering stalks come in. A fertilizer that we recommend particularly for use with amaryllis is Peter’s Blossom Booster. The colors following use of Peter’s Blossom Booster are always vibrant, and the quality of the fertilizer is tough to beat.

Tip: Make sure that the leaves are mature (looking not newly set) and that the soil is moist before you fertilize, otherwise you’ll risk burning the roots.

Step 6. Sit back in awe.

‘Nuff said.