Amaryllis Bulbs Need a Second Chance

These large, showy blooms develop rapidly from a bulb only partially hidden by the soil. With proper care, the bulb can bloom again next winter or spring. It is in the three to four months after flowering that care is most important. During this time the bulb is producing and replacing food lost during flowering, as well as storing up food for flower development for next year. Improper care now means few or no flowers next season. Normal home temperatures cause the leaves of the amaryllis to become very long and weakened. To prevent this, the plants should be kept at about 60 degrees at night before and after flowering. When flowering has finished, the plant should be placed in a bright south or west window.

Cut off the flower stalk about 2 inches above the bulb. Encourage leaf growth, and never cut back the leaves. For the bulb to develop enough food for next season's blooms, it should have at least four fully developed, vigorous leaves. The greater the number of healthy leaves, the more likely the bulb will flower, and the more flowers it will produce. At this time the plant should be kept moist constantly. Fertilize about every two to three weeks with a soluble house plant fertilizer at the manufacturer's recommended rate. Slow-release fertilizers which last several months may also be used. Apply as directed as soon as flowering is finished.

When all danger of frost has passed, the plants should be taken outdoors. Amaryllis do not like to have their roots disturbed. Therefore, they should not be removed from the pot or transplanted at this time. If there is a need for transplanting, it should be done when the plant is dormant in the fall. Since it is important to keep the plant growing vigorously, move it to a sunny location and submerge the pot in the garden. If there is no garden space, place the pot on a bright porch or balcony. Watering frequency in such a location may be reduced by double potting. Get a pot several sizes larger than the one in which the plant is growing.

Place spaghum or peat moss in the bottom. Then place the pot with the bulb in the center and fill around it with the peat moss. Keep the entire mass moist at all times. Make the move outdoors gradually. Direct exposure to sunlight can cause foliar burning. During the first one to two weeks outdoors, gradually move the plant from a shaded to a sunny location. In late summer, before temperatures turn cold, bring the plant indoors and withhold water until the top dies back.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amaryllis