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Amaryllis Plants

Q.Amaryllis Care

Zone 49319 | Anonymous added on January 28, 2025 | Answered

I purchased 3 bulbs this year from 2 growers. 1 bulb grew a weak flower but the leaves died before the reached an inch tall. The second bulb tried to send up a flower and leaf twice but they died back both times before reaching 1 inch. The 3rd bulb is just breaking dormancy. What is going on?

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GKH_Susan
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
Answered on January 30, 2025

The bulb looks odd; like the top part was cut away. There usually is sort of a neck. Were these bulbs purchased last fall for bloom before or after Christmas? If so, as long as they received light and water, they should bloom properly. Too much water and no drainage holes could spell trouble, though. Also, avoid watering inside the neck area where the stem and leaves come out. Only water the soil around the bulb.

Make sure the third bulb has bright, indirect light and is watered regularly but let the soil dry a little before watering again. The container should have drainage holes. If it doesn't, root rot could set in.

I would let the bulb growers know about the situation. If the bulbs are inferior they may replace them.

If you were trying to rebloom bulbs from a year ago, there may have been a problem with fertilization or the dormancy period.

These articles should help:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/amaryllis-hippeastrum/amaryllis-care-instructions-how-to-care-for-an-amaryllis.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/amaryllis-hippeastrum/amaryllis-care-after-flowering.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/amaryllis-hippeastrum/amaryllis-bloom-again.htm

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