Published: May 10, 2008 11:18 pm            

Amaryllis is geat flower for garden

On this Mother’s Day, many flowers of every size, shape and color will be received by many a loved mother. My children know my love of flowers, and I am sure I will receive at least one basket or blooming plant for my garden. I certainly hope so.

Flowers are fascinating and I have many favorites, but none outshines the amaryllis. They are from the tropical regions of South America, with huge beautiful blossoms that stand boldly on tall, thick stems. They come in red, pink, white, salmon, orange, stripes and multicolored varieties.

I call it my “miracle’ flower. Five years ago I was very ill and spent time in the hospital. When I arrived home in May and the garage door opened, I saw the bare bulb I had intended to plant at Christmas, laying on a metal can. I noticed some green sprouting from it. I promptly forgot it and went inside. After about three weeks and feeling better, I went into the garage, opened the overhead door and there on the metal can was the most beautiful sight. My amaryllis was in full bloom. Without soil, water or light it had grown six leaves, a stalk and on the top were four perfectly formed salmon-colored flowers. It was unbelievable to me, and I knew at that moment if God could make that bare bulb bloom without any nourishment then I, too, would survive. I carefully brought it inside and potted it. The stalk was so weak that it had to be heavily staked but continued to bloom beautifully. It was my miracle flower.

After the blooms faded I planted it out in my garden. Again I neglected it and left it there over the winter. In the spring it came up and once again bloomed. From experience I have found this to happen after a mild winter or a well-mulched bulb. I have decided they are truly an easy bulb to grow.

There are some interesting facts about the growing and care of the amaryllis bulb I would like to share with you:

• The planting period is October until the end of April.

• They flower from late December until the end of June, taking 7-10 weeks and you see new growth every day.

• The larger the bulbs, the more flowers produced.

• Store un-planted bulbs in a cool place between 40-50 degrees. Do not store your amaryllis bulbs in a refrigerator that contains apples, as this will sterilize the bulbs.

• Plant up to the shoulder of the bulb, leaving the top exposed in a good heavy potting soil with good drainage and water well.

• Put in a sunny location and don’t water again until the bulb sprouts and begins to grow.

• Water weekly as the bulb grows. Water sparingly as they don’t like wet soil, but neither should they dry out completely.

• A stake will keep the stalk straight and strong and turning daily is important.

If you want your amaryllis to bloom again, cut off faded flowers and let the green leaves continue to grow in the pot. Keep it in a sunny location indoors and water it weekly with fertilizer added to the water. After all threats of frost are gone, place the pot outside or plant your bulb in the garden and let it grow throughout the summer. This gives it nourishment and increases the size of the bulb. Around the first of September, cut the foliage back and bring the bulb inside, storing it in a cool dark place for about six weeks. Then, once again, plant about eight weeks before you want them to bloom. Enjoy for years to come.



Nicholas is a Garfield County master gardener.