Amaryllis

Amaryllis: A Great Valentine’s Day Gift For An Older Mom

Roses fly out the florist’s door for Valentine’s Day, and boxes of chocolates are seen in all shapes and forms in every kind of store. This year think about something a little different. According to the Amaryllis Bulb Company (amaryllis.com) “of all flowering bulbs, amaryllis are the easiest to bring to bloom.” Most bulb experts are quick to agree.

Amaryllis bulbs can be purchased already planted in a clay or decorative pot; or you can order the bulbs online and plant them yourself. If planting them yourself, remember it will take 7-10 weeks for blooms to appear.

An amaryllis is a great gift for a Mom who is “up in years.” The large flowers come in salmon, red, white, pink, or orange. Whether you purchase an amaryllis plant at a flower shop or order it online (amaryllis.com) it should be just about ready to bloom when you get it; the bulbs having been planted about eight weeks earlier Caring for an amaryllis is quite simple: water it and watch the buds open. Larger bulbs produce more flowers; so keep this in mind when you place your order. You will pay more for the larger bulbs, but since an amaryllis will bloom again and will last for many years, the added expense is well worth it.

After-bloom care instructions:

Place these after-bloom care instructions in with the plant as an extra, thoughtful addition to your gift. (These instructions are from the Amaryllis Bulb Company (amaryllis.com)
1. Cut the old flowers from the stem when they fade.
2. When the stem starts to sag, cut it back to the top of the bulb.
3. Continue to water and fertilize all summer or at least 5-6 months.
4. Allow the leaves to fully develop and grow.
5. When the leaves begin to yellow, usually in the early fall, cut the leaves to about 2” from the top of the bulb
6. At this time, remove the bulb from the soil.
7. Clean the bulb and place it in a cool dark place (40-50 degrees) for a minimum of six weeks. The refrigerator will work only if it does not contain apples. Apples will sterilize the bulbs.
8. After six weeks you can remove the bulbs and plant them again. Plant the bulbs about eight weeks before you want them to bloom. Flowering time in the winter will be longer than flowering time in the spring.
If you have any more questions about amaryllis or if you need to order some, I recommend that you contact The Amaryllis Bulb Company