In early November I purchased 10 amaryllis bulbs. My goal was to use them as table centerpieces for a Christmas party on December 8. The bulbs came with pots and planting mix. All bulbs began growing okay. One of them even had a stem and flower bud on it when it was purchased. By December 8, the flowers on that plant were actually beginning to go by. Two other plants were coming into bloom normally. The remaining seven plants have developed poorly. Three of them flowered with short little stems, only about 2 inches in length. Two more finally flowered on more normal stems. And one plant is still struggling to get going. Its flower bud and leaf shoots are just barely poking out of the top of the bulb. The remaining bulb has produced a nice crop of foliage, but no flowers. I followed directions as best I could, but here in western Massachusetts we've had precious little sunshine this fall and early winter. I thought amaryllis were supposed to be relatively easy to grow. What could I have done differently? And is it worth trying to save the bulbs for next year? If so, how do I treat them now? Thanks.
Kat

When you purchase Amaryllis bulbs in the late fall, they should already have gone through their required dormant periods and are ready to bloom and the amount of available light at that time makes no difference. Assuming you followed the potting and watering instructions, then it sounds like a quality control issue with your supplier. It is the year of care leading up to the end-of-year flowering period that is critical to success.

I don't know the source of yours. However, I know that White Flower Farm in CT guarantees that their bulbs will bloom and I have had great success with them. They are expensive, however.

As long as your bulbs are firm and healthy, then they will probably flower for you next year, assuming you provide appropriate care for them over the next 10 months.

To WillC:
Thank you for your reply to my above query. Fortunately my amaryllis bulbs were guaranteed to bloom, so I did return the plant that produced only foliage. Quality control on the bulbs definitely was an issue, though. Most did not turn out to be as pictured on the box, although one plant did produce two stems with gorgeous double white flowers.
Wish I could have afforded to buy my bulbs from White Flower Farm, as I know their quality of plants. As my bulbs were destined to be a donation, however, price was very much a consideration. My purchase came from a discount store, although the bulbs supposedly came from the Netherlands.
Was the lack of stem length on three of the plants also a matter of previous care, or...?
What is proper care for the plants that have now finished blooming?
Thanks again.
Kat2014

I think previous care determines the stem length.

A properly prepared Amaryllis yes, is very easy to plant and bloom. One can well imagine that discount bubs are not all well prepared- or maybe have suffered in transit and store display, not to blame the grower.

Will you keep them indoors or can you plant outside when spring arrives?

Amaryllis need plenty of sun and fertilizer over summer, to rebuild the big bub for more blooms. Indoors, just keep in as bright as possible light and water as any houseplant. The big leaves may be floppy though, they aren't a great indoor plant.

Hi Sally,
Yes, I can plant my bulbs in a sunny outdoors location in the spring. Do I treat them as tender vegetables, waiting at least until mid May, or can they go outdoors earlier in the season? What type of fertilizer is best? Is a liquid houseplant fertilizer suitable?
For now do I just leave the plants in their pots and set them aside so their foliage can dry out and die back?
Thank you for replying to my email.
Kat

I typically put my amaryllis outside when I know the temp will stay above 45, if your amaryllis have leaves currently, keep them in a sunny window until you can put them outside. Come fall, bring them inside where it is cool and dark and let them go into dormancy.
There are lots of outlets to get good amaryllis bulbs, bigger is better, and instead the bulbs are firm.
colorblends is another good place to order from.

The height of the flower stems could be related to previous care or that particular plant's genetic makeup. There is no way to tell right now. Follow the advice of others with your bulbs and see how they do next year.

Like crawgarden said
Houseplant fertilizer is no different really from outside fertilizer, tho the strength of any fert depends on mixing it.

Thank you all for your advice regarding my amaryllis plants. I will do as suggested until next spring, then will plant the bulbs outdoors around the time I set out tomato plants.
Happy New Year to all.
Kat

You do not have to plant them, you can leave them in the containers outside if you want. Makes it more convenient to bring them in during the fall