By PAT MELGARES
K-State Extension
'Tis the season to start thinking about decking the halls with holiday décor, which may include some of the season's most colorful flowers. Kansas State University horticulture expert Matt McKernan has advice for those wanting amaryllis blooms for the holidays.
The popular holiday plant takes approximately 4-8 weeks to bloom from the time the dormant bulb is planted, typically in a pot.
"Now is the time to start amaryllis if you wish to have them in bloom for Christmas," McKernan said.
When and how to pot amaryllis bulbs
Amaryllis bulbs, genus name Hippeastrum, are ready to bloom when purchased. Hippeastrum means "horse star," which is an appropriate name since this plant can produce blooms as large as 8-10 inches across.
"Amaryllis bulbs can be huge — approaching the size of a grapefruit," McKernan said. "The larger the bulb, the larger the flowers and the more expensive the bulb."
Despite its size, this plant prefers tight quarters. McKernan recommends placing it in a pot only 1-2 inches larger than the bulb's diameter and leaving the top half of the bulb exposed.
To properly pot the amaryllis:
- Select a container with multiple drainage holes and create a layer of potting mix inside.
- Hold the bulb so the roots hang down into the pot and add potting mix.
- Firm the mix around the roots carefully so that they are not snapped off.
- Be sure the top one-third to one-half of the pointed end of the bulb remains visible.
- Water thoroughly and place the plant in a warm, sunny location.
A day temperature in the 70s and night temperature in the 60s is optimal for the amaryllis to bloom, according to McKernan. In these conditions, the flower stalk will begin to elongate. Rotate the pot every few days to encourage upright growth and prevent the flower stalk from leaning toward the sun.
How to care for amaryllis during and after the bloom
"Once the flower buds begin to show, move the plant to a cooler location and out of direct sunlight so the flowers last longer," McKernan said. "Amaryllis can remain in bloom for about a month. In order to keep the plant from expending energy to form seeds, flowers should be cut off after blooming."
After flowering, McKernan said to place the plant back in a sunny location until it is warm enough to be placed outside for the summer. Sink the pot in the soil in an area that has dappled shade. Water regularly and fertilize twice a month while leaves are actively growing.
Before the first frost, bring the plant inside and place it in a dark location, withholding all water and fertilizer so the leaves can completely dry. Leaves can be cut off close to the top of the bulb. After 8-12 weeks of darkness, the plant can be moved to a sunny location and watered to initiate flowering. The amaryllis can usually be left in the same pot for several years, but eventually, it will need repotting.
Amaryllis can produce 3-4 blooms on a 1-2 foot stem, according to McKernan, meaning there will be plenty of blooms to admire this holiday season if planted now.
Weekly K-State Horticulture Newsletter gives landscaping, gardening tips
McKernan and his colleagues in K-State's Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources produce a weekly Horticulture Newsletter with tips for maintaining home landscapes and gardens.
Interested persons can subscribe to the newsletter, as well as send their garden and yard-related questions to hortsupport@k-state.edu, or contact their local K-State Extension office.