Growing Amaryllis After Christmas

Amaryllis may be re-bloomed each year if they are given proper care after flowering. Disappointment is sometimes expressed when a Christmas amaryllis fails to flower at Christmas the following year, either flowering in late winter or not flowering at all. The Christmas amaryllis is not a special kind of amaryllis, but one that has been given special treatment for early bloom. To flower at any time of year an amaryllis must be kept growing vigorously after flowering has finished.

After |the last bloom fades, cut off the flower stalk and place the plant in a sunny bright location if not already there. Amaryllis need temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees, so be sure to avoid hot spots. Fertilize the plant with a houseplant fertilizer regularly according to directions. If the bulb is in a small pot, repotting after flowering may be necessary (although repotting normally is done during the dormant period).

The diameter of the pot should be at least two inches more than the diameter of the bulb. Under good growing conditions an amaryllis bulb should produce several flushes of growth each season. Each flush consists of three leaves and an immature flower bud at the fourth location which is within the bulb. If the bulb has not grown vigorously, it may not complete one flush in a season, or be too weak for the flower to develop. Under excellent growing conditions a bulb may complete two or even three flushes of growth in one season. This results in two to three flower buds, each of which develops into a stalk of blooms after the bulb has completed its rest or dormant period.

Failure to flower in one season, does not mean that it cannot flower during the next. However, failure to flower is an indication that conditions were not correct, and adjustments in growing methods must be made. A bulb with two or three long, pale leaves shows that light is too poor, temperatures too high or perhaps a combination of both. Place bulbs outdoors as soon as danger of frost is past in spring, sink the pots into the garden and keep the plants growing actively until fall.

To try re-blooming an amaryllis for Christmas, take up the bulb in its pot in mid to late August. Try this only with bulbs that have abundant vigorous foliage at that time. Cut off the leaves, withhold water, and place them in a basement or other location where temperature may be kept close to 60 degrees for at least four weeks. At the end of that time move them to a location where temperatures are about 75 degrees for another four weeks. Light and water are not necessary during these eight weeks.

In early November, start watering. Bulbs should bloom about eight weeks after watering is begun. As soon as growth becomes visible, move the bulbs to a brightly lighted location. After flower bud becomes visible it normally takes about three weeks until flowers begin to open. Keep the plants between 70 and 75 degrees during the bud growth. Without a need for early flowering, bulbs are normally allowed to develop outdoors as late as possible in the fall. They must be brought indoors before frost. Keep them dry and dormant for about two months. Start watering in early January for February and March bloom.

Source:

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