I bought some amaryllis bulbs a month ago. I'm just now planting them. I live in Zone 8. We've had an exceptionally warm December, and the bulbs have all sprouted - one of them has shoots from the top AND the bottom. What do you recommend, cut off the bottom shoot or plant the bulb sideways?
If you are ever in doubt, I would always opt to plant them sideways! Here are some articles that will help you to grow Amaryllis:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/amaryllis-hippeastrum
What do I do with plant till next Christmas?
It's important to let the leaves grow during the summer, then institute a rest period so it can rebloom. This article should help:
There is no opening in the top or bottom for water
The bulb has all the nutrients and moisture it needs to bloom for the season. You don't need to add soil or water. They often won't regrow but you can try. After it finishes blooming, carefully remove the wax and plant the bulb in soil with 1/3 of the bulb above the soil. The container should only be about an inch wider around the bulb. Water sparingly to prevent root rot. If it develops roots, you can even put it outside for the summer. Then follow the directions below for aftercare:
We have an Amaryllis which has lost its flowers and now is ready to rest. What has to be done with it?
First you can cut off the flower stalks to about an inch from the base. Then keep the container in bright light and continue to water till it is safe to move outside (no frosts). Here is more:
I read your instructions that say to cut the stalks from the Amaryllis once they stop blooming. I was taught in Master Gardening training to leave them, the plant reabsorbs the nutrients from the stalk, them remove once it has shriveled. Which is correct?
Everything I've read says to remove the spent stalks down to about 1 inch from the bulb, but leave the foliage to re-engergize the bulb. The stalks are also removed to prevent formation of seed pods and for aesthetic reasons.
Can I use the leftover bulb food I used to plant my tulips and daffodils? Should I dilute it in water?
That will be fine. They will have similar feeding requirements.
Always follow the instructions on the packaging. They are optimized for the best performance. NEVER use undiluted plant food if the instructions call for mixing. This can be harmful to the soil and your plants.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/amaryllis-hippeastrum/feeding-amaryllis-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/amaryllis-hippeastrum
We have three bulbs in one pot that grew and bloomed nicely last year. We handled and stored it appropriately, we think, and it came back to life a month ago after storing in the dark, cool place for a couple of months, sending up the flower stems. These have reached about 24" and ready to burst open. But none of the three have any leaves coming up. What might cause this and is there any hope that these bulbs will be worth saving for another year?
The leaves do come up after the flower stalks but you usually can see a few inches of stem growth at the base. One thing you can do is pull away the moss from the bulb. Is the top 1/3 of the bulb above the soil? If not, I would pull away some of the soil, too. If after the flowers bloom and still no leaves, check your bulb for rot. If the bulb still looks healthy, keep watering and fertilizing the bulb till it's time to go dormant.
Here is more:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/amaryllis-hippeastrum/amaryllis-bulb-rot.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/amaryllis-hippeastrum/feeding-amaryllis-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/amaryllis-hippeastrum/amaryllis-bulb-storage.htm