I need advice on growing amaryllis, specifically about the dormant period. I am in Ft Lauderdale and need to provide artificial temperature conditions for the dormancy period. I use a wine cooler to provide 55 degrees. The cooler ices up at the back when the temperature at the front is 55. Some of the bulbs freeze and rot from saturation. I placed a dehumidifier in the cooler but it generated so much heat the cooler couldn't lower the temperature below 75. I will try a fan to circulate the air so I can lower the thermostat. Can you advise how hobby growers provide the dormant conditions? Thank you
I would wrap the bulbs in paper or newspaper, and put them in a plastic bag when you store them. This will keep moisture off. This is what causes rot.
Here is an article for more information:https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/amaryllis-hippeastrum/amaryllis-bulb-storage.htm
And here is an article on caring for them: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/amaryllis-hippeastrum/amaryllis-care-instructions-how-to-care-for-an-amaryllis.htm
There is construction occurring around my home. If workers walk on my amaryllis garden, will the damage the bulbs?
I don't believe it will completely kill them, although it might hinder the flowering process. At most you will just have to wait another year for the blooms to come back.
Hi, I got an amaryllis plant in spring of 2015 since than it has grown long leaves and even sprouted two new plants with a few leaves each. I have the plant in the same window year round facing north east. I like in NJ. I have not been able to get the plant to rebloom. My biggest concern is that is has had healthy green leaves up until a month ago- now they are droopy and yellow and I cannot figure out why. I water it pretty often but only once the top soil gets dried out to prevent over watering. how can I save the plant and rebloom it so far after its last bloom? Thank you!!
Make sure your plant is getting enough light. Low light could cause they yellowing leaves and droopiness. Also check that it is planted in very well drained soil. If the soil drainage is poor, the bottom of the pot could be staying wet even when the top of the soil is dry.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/amaryllis-hippeastrum/drooping-amaryllis-leaves.htm
Here is a plan for helping an amaryllis rebloom:
http://www.usna.usda.gov/Gardens/faqs/AmaryllisBloom.html
I purchased 6 amaryllis plants in hopes of them blooming for a house tour on December 7. They are in full bloom now on November 14. Is there a way I can make the blooms last almost 4 weeks?
They way mine have always done, has been that they will flower within a few weeks of each other. As long as they do not get chilled, they should last. Not all of them will but there should still be some blooms left on it by that time. There is not real guarantee that this will be the case, but with proper care it is a real possibility. This article will help you with the care of these: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/amaryllis-hippeastrum/amaryllis-care-instructions-how-to-care-for-an-amaryllis.htm
This spring I got two pots with armaryllis bulbs, one had one large bulb, the other has one large bulb with two babies growing away from the mother bulb. They did not flower this summer, but grow very large and beautiful. I read about over wintering naturally, letting the plant die back on its own rather than cutting back the leaves. (The leaves were really too pretty to cut) For the last couple of months, I had stopped watering. Things were dieing back nicely and was planning on removing the bulbs from the soil this weekend for over wintering. The lone bulb now has a very green large sprout growing from the bulb above soil level. Do I start watering again? Do I continue with plans to remove from the soil for over wintering? Can the bulbs over winter in their pots? My over wintering plans were to remove the bulbs from the soil, brush off any soil, bag them up with newspaper in a cool place for at least six weeks. Thanks.
Your original idea is best. Removing and drying them will help keep them better, but they can be wintered in container as well. Don't resume watering. Let them continue into dormancy. Here is an article that will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/amaryllis-hippeastrum/amaryllis-bulb-storage.htm
I just planted a big amaryllis bulb in a pot to grow indoors. I can see the first leaf just starting to poke out from the top of the bulb, but there also seems to water leaking out of the top of the bulb. Is that normal? The soil is not too wet. I’ve grown amaryllis before but I recall ever seeing this. Thank you.
The only time that I am aware of this happening is with overly wet soil. It will exude a sap to try and correct the moisture around its root zone. The plant doesn't tolerate wet soil very well. Only moist. It would help to have a picture to see the conditions. Make sure that the pot it is in has proper drainage. If it has a catch pan, then there is likely standing water that is not visible to you, even if the top doesn't appear wet. Just make sure there is proper drainage in the pot, and keep an eye out for root rot. This will show as brown or black leaf tips that will consume the whole plant eventually.
This article will help refresh on the care of these plants: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/amaryllis-hippeastrum/amaryllis-care-instructions-how-to-care-for-an-amaryllis.htm
What are some of the names of the glass vases for the Amyarillis bulb.? thanks Doris edkdek@yahoo.com
You don't need a special glass vase for amaryllis. Any tall vase that is large enough to accommodate your bulb is fine. By being tall, it helps the plant stay upright. River or decorative rock or stones go in the bottom where water will be. This also adds weight, again to help keep the plant upright. Bulbs bloomed in water probably won't be able to regenerate the bulb for a re-bloom next year. If you want to maintain the bulb, try transferring it into a potting mix until the leaves die down. I don't recommend the smallish glass containers that hold the bulb above the water. They are too likely to tip over. You can see what one company does w/ glass vases for amaryllis at. https://www.whiteflowerfarm.com/amaryllis-glass.html