There's no such thing as a bulb specifically built for growing in soil.

Barbara, you're probably right. What I quoted was claimed by ETG's customer service/care who thought my growing their bulbs in water maybe the blame for slow growth as their bulbs were "specifically built for growing in soil." And no details were offered as of how they build bulbs specifically for growing in soil. It's the reason I did this comparison, but as everyone pointed out that the comparability of my setting up may not be very strong any way. I, as a scientist, see how people here are not only in deep passion with plants, but also with surprising mind of scientific discipline. How wonderful!! I salute

The 3rd flower of the Celebration has come to the full:


Surprise! There comes a new growth from the outer side of the 1st scape of the Samba:

for new growth surprises!

Thanks, Tarev. Wonder if I should take back the "1st scape" claim when the bulb arrived? It now looks more like a new leaf and the second growth more like a scape... Well, shall see in a few days.

Look like two new growths coming together from the Samba?

I see a leaf and a scape forming

Totally two or three including the 1st big (comparatively) new leaf?

It seems this new Samba a 'growing lover' too like the Peacock! It's been sure that there are 3 new growths on one side (not sure if a scape there) AND A NEW ONE on the other side:




Edit: Maybe there are only 2 on the first side that the second new growth is a 'scape' and looks like a 'double growth'?

Too early to see with certainty the back side growth....hey...here's hoping it is!

The last flower of Cele is opening (all other three were gone)... sadly the (wounded) bulb doesn't look doing well; it doesn't grow any leaf! Pondering to do something after bloom gone...


The Samba is doing wonderfully and "regularly" that now comes the 4th new growth and it's a scape! (Samba's scape is easily distinguishable from leaf) -- am starting to wonder if it's planted in soil rather than water?

Yikes! My Celebration is almost gone I checked the bulb and it shrank and became soft. I decided to cut the stalk and dip it in sugar water vase (tip from Barbara). Then I easily pulled up the bulb: the poor thing's roots all rot (the bottom plate a bit too)! Trying save it as I could: remove all rot roots; remove dead skins; dry the bulb; repot in soil. I only moisturized the bottom soil (no contact with the bulb) and let the bulb sit on and covered by dry soil, then put it under warm sunlight.


I have hoped you guys would affirm the possible saving, but also expect otherwise fate. Do appreciate advice if there's still hope, when do I start to water it? Thanks

Oh, also about the Samba since planted in soil, it's been about 3 weeks I haven't watered. Time to water?

The bulb will usually shrink a bit, as it gave out all that it has in blooming that is why new leaves will eventually form to return the energy it needs later. Was the entire bulb totally mushy, like when you firmly press on it, it leaves a dent on the bulb?

I would have just kept it in its old set-up and allow the water to evaporate/dry out a bit, before watering again. The bulb will just make new roots that will be acclimated to that set-up eventually. It is always not a quick process with amaryllis..always have to be patient.

But since you have already pulled it out and introduced another set-up with soil, then if it were mine, I will just wait a bit till I see any new growth before I water again; or maybe water further away from the bulb, just one round, so it is just moist. I do not see the entirety of your bulb, so to me looking at it from the top , it still looks fine. Put in a warm setting, so it will try to grow roots and leaves.

Thanks, Tarev. At first I felt the bulb was very mushy, but after I removed all dead skins it felt less mushy but a little firm (that's why I decided not to ditch). I don't have idea if I firmly press, a dent would be left on it?

If you look at the pic again, please notice that the soil covering and around and BELOW (down 0.5") the bulb is all dry and fresh out of bag and only the soil beneath is moisturized. Right now I just want to keep the bulb dry preventing from further rot. Just don't know to what extent of dry state should be reached to add water again for the new growth/root? (can't see the bottom of the bulb under the soil)

And that is why I was using the glass method too so I can see the condition of the roots, which is still an ongoing experiment for me..so I would understand more how the bulb grows. Pretty much at this point, all you can do is wait, till it makes a new leaf growth. A new leaf signifies it has made a new root.

Since it is in soil now, just keep it moderately moist. If you are keeping this indoors, I would use a toothpick or bamboo skewer to check the soil, if it pulls out damp, don't water, or put a big rock beside the bulb, so when you water and then check later once you remove rock, if soil below rock is moist, don't water. Don't keep it too wet, to protect the bulb and to avoid inviting gnats there.

Typically at this stage, after the bloom period, the bulb will just finish off the bloomstalk, then it will rest a bit then start making roots and leaves, if it has not started it at blooming time. And most of the leaf making and return of nutrients and energy goes to the bulb all the way to summer time. So most who grow the bulb in soil with containers will bring out the bulb outdoors, either to be planted inground or kept in the same soil container, so it can get all the sun it can get, it is a tropical bulb, so it enjoys that. Outdoors, it is easier to water, since there are a lot of drying effects there, wind and heat, and lots of light which the plant loves to grow more. On the good side, now that you have it in soil and when the leaves start forming, you can more easily add the fertilizer after watering since your container has a drain hole.

Again..much, much patience...the next blooming time will be in Spring 2016 or if you are lucky to force them again before winter of Dec 2015 to Jan 2016.

Thanks, Tarev. Maybe I miss something. How come you don't get what I said about the soil? The soil in the pot now is all dry w/o any moisture. B4 I start to water it'll always be dry no matter stick or rock checking. It's the time I should START to water I am asking for advice, i.e., I haven't watered it yet. BTW, I couldn't see any roots or bottom part of the bulb all the time when it was still in the glass container.

Yeah, I'll be patient if I can save this one. As for next bloom, either next winter or spring, I don't have much hope. If it happens, will be a surprising miracle to me.

Fiat, I am trying to teach you how the bulb works in soil media. It likes to be moderately moist not too rock dry. That is just what I am saying, and helping you test for later when the soil is wet or not. You ask when to water..then I am telling you how to know when you can safely start to water it. Some knows it easily just by picking up the container too..just different ways.

I did understand what you said, pretty much you are now starting again to revive that bulb. Typically, when you get the bulb and plant it first time in soil, that is what you do, put the bulb midway, neck showing and water the soil, with or without roots, and then you will have to wait before watering again, because it is so easy to overwater and rot the bulb. I gave you tips how to test if your soil is still wet below, the top part will easily dry out, or in your case, you said the top part is dry but lower part is still moist, but that lower part may take time to dry out.

Can't answer why your bulb did not make roots in the glass container, because mine made it and is still making it right now and is so visible below and around the glass container. It could be you pulled it out before it had the chance to make new ones.

Anyways, good luck..hope your bulb revives.

I think I panicked when I saw the rot roots... it was a very sick, and probably dying bulb, not a new bulb just arriving from supplier ready to grow... That's why I haven't started watering yet... Nevertheless, thank you for all the advice Tarev. (and sorry for all the confusion and rambling)

No problem Fiat..always a learning curve in growing plants.

Dreading and being curious about my Peacock may have the same fate as the Celebration (rot!), I repotted it (in soil) this afternoon. Again, the mother bulb shrunk, but the baby appears to have grown to a small bulb itself as not visible when arrived 113 days ago. Some old roots rot away and the bottom a bit wet also. However, all new roots look healthy and strong. Unfortunately the mother bulb lost one big leaf during the process (my fault?) and the baby lost one of its two leaves a while ago. I find many of mother's leaves all twisted up during blooming period. Now they either press on others or twisted itself up. Not a pretty nice sight even after placing a high loop to support. I did not separate the baby from the mother cause I don't know how? May be later? But I gave them a jumbo pot so they can grow and grow together or not ...