Amaryllis Care

When the top inch (2 cm) of the soil is dry, you may know it's the right time. Water your green friend from the top on average once a week. When the blooming season (spring-early summer) starts, your Amaryllis will shoot a flower arrow. Then you'll have to increase the frequency of watering to once in 3-5 days. Stop watering it when the foliage wilts and the plant goes dormant (between June and September). During this period, the bulb is storing nutrients. Keeping the soil dry prevents the bulb from rotting.

It is not necessary to clip off the leaf plates that have begun to dry. The nutrients from dead leaves pass into the bulb after wilting. As a result, the bulb gets its nutrients and uses them throughout the following flowering cycle. If half-withered leaf plates do not die off completely after a long time, gently bend them to the ground or cut them off at the onion's root.

Topdressing is done only during active growth. Fertilize your Amaryllis once every four weeks using organic materials and complicated mineral fertilizer. You can apply a solution of bird droppings or mullein as an organic fertilizer.
The composition of the mineral supplement should include a minimum of nitrogen and more potassium and phosphorus.

Bright, diffused light is ideal for Amaryllis. Southeast- or southwest-facing windows will be the most suitable. The plant will be more comfortable by the south-facing window if you shade it during the day. Rotate the flowerpot regularly so your peduncle can grow straight upwards.

A fertile soil mixture is required for this plant. To make the soil mixture yourself, you'll need to combine leafy, soddy, and humus soil with sand (1:1:1:1). You can also get a pre-mixed universal bulbous plant substrate in your local garden shop.

Propagating Amaryllis with daughter bulbs is considerably the easiest and fastest way. During a bush transplant, remove daughter bulbs from the parent bulb. Plant your daughter bulb in a separate container. You may use your usual soil combination which you use for growing an adult amaryllis.

This plant reacts negatively to sudden changes in temperature. In the warm season, it feels best at a temperature of 65-72°F (18-22 °C). During the dormant period, the flower should stay in a cool place – about 46-50°F (8-10 °F).

The pot should be stable and heavy, not very wide, with a height of at least 20 centimeters. The bush builds up a voluminous root system. If you choose a wide and low pot, it will not allow the leaf plates to develop normally.

According to legend, this plant appeared from the blood of the nymph Amaryllis, madly in love with the shepherd Alteo. Thanks to this flower, she won his heart. Perhaps that is why Amaryllis is considered a symbol of beauty and love, as well as determination, strength, and success.