What should you do with your new amaryllis now that the blooms are fading and the leaves are drooping? Here are some steps you can take that will keep the bulb coming up year after year.
I just leave mine indoors in a south or west-facing window, take off the spent flowers and any brown leaves, and they seem to do fine. They don't seem to go dormant at all. They rebloom regularly, but not necessarily at 12-month intervals. I do have to repot every 2-3 years and separate the "daughter" bulbs.
You're right - I see many different methods to rebloom amaryllis out on the internet. I have been using this method for many years with the goal to get the blooms to show around the holidays. We always get compliments from visitors at that time of year for the beautiful blooms.
I found that keeping them on this rather strict annual rotation has served us well for that purpose.
If you don't lose some plants to the weather this year, you aren't trying hard enough. - Glenn Hasulak
Name: Dan Florida (Zone 9b) Avid gardener. Grow many Orchids a
Hi guys.
I have had great success summering Amaryllis outside in bright light. I have about 25 of them in assorted pots. Some singles and some three to a pot.
I water frequently (I'm in Florida) and fertilize every 2 weeks with 1/2 strength solution Miracle Gro. throughout the Spring and Summer. In August I switch to very low nitrogen (Fish Emulsion) fertilizer.
Sometime around Mid September I discontinue everything for 3 weeks. I cut back whatever leaves have not shriveled up, clean out any debris that happened into the pots and put them into "carry crates". (From Lowe's) I store them in my shed for 2 months or so. Then pull out a few at a time to come back into bud. It has worked great for the last 8 years.
I had heard from several other people that they never move them off their shelf or whatever and have similar good success. I envy them! Dan
