Last spring or late winter (we didn't have much winter this year) I decided to save some bulbs. I threw a lot of them in pots that were hanging around. Hadn't given them much thought. Now I'm seeing 2 bulbs that are getting kinda big and I'm wondering if they're too cozy. They seem happy but I think if they keep growing maybe they need to be separated. Not sure what type of bulbs these are or if they are even the same. Should they stay or should they go?

Appear to be Amaryllis bulbs, They like it kind of crowded. They usually bloom in the winter as a house plant.

I agree with Jay...they look like amaryllis bulbs. They don't mind being crowded. I have them growing in plastic as well as clay containers. They grow outdoors year-round in my tropical climate and they bloom when they're ready (except for the hottest 3 months of the year).

I suspected that they were amaryllis bulbs and I have heard that they do well outside. And I like anything that doesn't require me to bring them inside during Dallas winters, which could be warm, like last year, or really nasty like a few years ago which began with a snow storm prior to Thanksgiving.
If it should get really cold this winter do they need to be brought inside? Have limited 'real estate' for house plants.
Do they need to be fed or do they prefer to be left alone?
Thanks much for your help.

I had them growing outside in the ground in zone 8b but it never snowed - the lowest lows were mid-20's. My problem with them outside was slugs. Apparently Amaryllis are very tasty.

Joan-- I live in Grapevine. Mine are all planted directly in the ground. In the ground you plant deeper than the pot. I plant them up to their necks. Mulch if you are worried about the cold. I would not leave them outside in a pot, that gets colder than the ground temperatures. The Terra cotta if exposed to rain or snow can affect some plants. Many blessings for a magnificent October!

you can let them dry out in the pot, no light needed, then resume water in a couple months for early spring bloom.

@sallyg - not sure I totally follow. When you say "dry out in the pot, no light needed", are you thinking to bring them into a garage with no windows (but do have critters which you obviously wouldn't know)? Or what exactly? Sorry to be dense.

@Altheabyanothername - right, I knew about no clay pots. As I said I just threw things in pots that already had dirt in them. In fact I think I see one starting to peek out of a large plastic pot along with some little bulbs, I know not what. (Several possibilities.)

@Daisyl - so Amaryllis are tasty? I'm pretty hungry right now. Been spending too much time at the computer. They say beer in little cans like tuna cans will get the slugs as they slither in and then drown. Only time I tried it, my dog drank the beer.

So I'm unclear about if left outside in ground or whatever, will they ultimately need sun at some time in their lives? If so, may not bury so I can mush them around to sunny spots as the need arises.

Thank you all. Might come back with another question before closing this as 'solved'

@tx_flower_child My amaryllis are permanently left in the ground year round. Never lift. They have been in the ground for over 4 years. They have some afternoon shade. They flower in the spring. Sometimes if it is real cold the green dies back. They may regrow more green in the winter. You plant them up to the neck in the ground, do not lift. Every Christmas I buy them, enjoy the indoor bloom, and in the Spring plant them in the garden. I do not ever dig it up and bring it back in. I let them bloom outside from then on. I have all kinds of different amaryllis all over the garden.
It is one of the perks of this climate, we can not grow delphiniums, but we sure can grow amaryllis/ hippeastrum! Many blessings to you!

Joan, you can follow what Sharon just said, since she lives much closer to you.

(Up here in Maryland, most people would stop watering their amaryllis in fall, store in a basement, and then get them to bloom for Christmas or early spring.)

(ps I think you sent me two small crinums in 2014- they are doing well!)

@sallyg - thought I recognized your name. I remember I sent you something and I'm glad what I sent is doing well. I think you sent me some epis. Red ones. Or maybe someone else sent them. Brain drain.

@Altheabyanothername - That's a cool idea to have them keep on blooming, in a manner of speaking. At some point, after they've been outside, do they need to be fed?

A few of mine recently had some leaves munched on. I thought it was by the usual suspects - squirrels. But no, I think a katydid did it.

Why suspect a katydid? Walked out my front door last week and saw this big boy. (Compare to size of a brick.)

Mine grow with iris, daylilies, salvias, tropical milkweed etc. They mainly get fed in the very early spring when I feed iris and daylilies. Because they are mixed in the garden, when I do extra feedings they get some too. May you have a wonderful and safe weekend!

yes, Joan, red epi- (I went looking for our email when we exchanged addresses, my memory isn't THAT good, haha)

Amaryllis are called heavy feeders, so generally, the more you give during the growing season, within reason, and water, probably the more they grow and bloom.

I live in zone 8b and we have had snow and ice but I have to add that the snow and ice never lasted over 2 days. My amaryllis have never missed a beat. And believe me I would never have taken a chance with them because they came from my mom who is now deceased.