How to Plant an Amaryllis Bulb
by Gayla Trail
Although there are many plants that are forced to bloom indoors during the winter holiday season, the popularity of the amaryllis (Hippeastrum) lies in its ease of care and its large, lily-like blooms that are so reminiscent of the flowers of summer. Flower colour ranges from red as the most popular, to pink, white, yellow and mixed. Dwarf varieties with smaller foliage and flowers are available but they tend to be more expensive and slightly harder to care for. The general rule is the smaller the bulb, the smaller the bloom.
The holidays are probably the worst time financially to purchase this plant. Everyone wants one when they see the beautiful green foliage and bright flowers lining department shelves and corner market plant stands. As a result prices are inflated. They can be anywhere between 12-30 dollars Canadian minimum. If you purchase a dry bulb (no pot) in the fall and plant it up yourself you can save money (5-20 dollars Canadian), the selection of varieties is greater, and you can chose your own decorative pot instead of settling for the generic pots the full bloom plants come in.
If you'd like your bulb to bloom in time for Christmas, pot it up by mid-November. This plant can be grown outside anytime of the year in warmer, frost-free climates. Either way getting this bulb ready to grow is simple and will take only a few minutes and a bit of preparation.
Buying Instructions
Be sure to purchase a bulb that looks clean and disease free on the outside. Any indication of rot is a bad sign. It is best to choose a bulb with less leaf and stem growth. Don't make the mistake of choosing a bulb that already has a stem on it. It is more important that a dry bulb put its first efforts into producing roots rather then producing a flower stalk. If you aren't going to plant your bulb soon after purchase, store it in the crisper of fridge until you are ready to pot it.
How to plant your amaryllis bulb Print this article
| 
