A Tale of Two Hippys

Daniel Kerr dhkerrmail@yahoo.com
Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:15:05 PST
Amaryllis bulb: care of... after it has bloomed, water and care for your amaryllis as long as it has green leaves. Trim off the flower stems. As to the leaves, allow them to wilt naturally, but do not cut them off. Give the bulbas much light as possible and fertilize it monthly with a balanced, organic fertilizer. [Note: if you setthe plants outside during the summer, choose a spot that gets some afternoon shade.]Do all this until growth slows following summer.At this point, your amaryllis needs rest.Let the soil dry completely and store the pot in a dark, cool place (but not less than 50 degrees). In 2 or 3 months, retrieve the plants and cut off any lingering leaves. Return the plants to a well-lit situationand resume watering, but not soakingly. Amaryllisbulbs don't like wet, soggy feet. Flower stalks should appear from 3 to 8 weeks later, depending on the variety and conditions. 
If you find small amaryllis bulbs on or near the parent plant, you've just been blessedwith free amaryllis plants.  It can take 3 to 5 years for them to reach blooming size.Pot them up in good quality potting soil and let them grow through the winter,spring and early summer; giving them a rest period in late summer.
dan



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