As you know, I grow my "amaryllis" indoors, both due to crippling frosts in winter and the Iberian slug in summer. In October, when temperatures go down to 10C or 50F indoors in unheated rooms, I start their dormancy. The week before I put them in the cold room, I stop watering them. About 4 pots at a time get put away with cardboard boxes over them to keep them dark. I mark with pen when they start and end dormancy. Generally it takes me about 6-8 weeks to get flowers after this period, but the leaves appear as soon as they get light, warmth and water. I figure this artificial dormancy must correspond to the dry season in nature. Though moved to late autumn. Carol