HERE'S HOW TO GET THE MOST ENJOYMENT FROM YOUR COTTAGE FARMS' AMARYLLIS!

Unlike smaller bulbs handled in many retail outlets, our select large Amaryllis bulbs will produce multiple bloom stalks with 3 or more flowers per stem. These mighty Amaryllis produce gorgeous bold, bright 7-inch diameter flowers that continue throughout the holiday season.  Children delight in watching this horticultural marvel as it grows taller and taller until the day it bursts into an incredible bouquet of flowers. Ours are some of the most dependable Amaryllis varieties on the market and will give reliable results year after year. They can be moved outdoors in the summer or planted in the garden. However, Amaryllis is only hardy in-ground in zones 8 and warmer. This is the ultimate Christmas flower suitable for any type of indoor location, preferably not in direct sun!

Your Amaryllis planter should be placed in a well-lit room and should not be allowed to dry out.  A southern exposure is best.  When watering your Amaryllis, remove it from the decorative container and water it thoroughly in a sink to allow excess water to drain from the pot.  Once the plant starts to bloom you need to remember, as with any flower, that the warmer the temperature, the quicker the bloom matures.

Any temperature indoors from 65 to 75F is fine.  When in flower, the coolest area in the home is best.  When the flower stalk starts to open into bloom, you can extend the blooming time by moving the plant to a cooler location. When flowering, keep out of direct sunlight. You may wish to move it into a cooler room at night or at other times when you are not at home to extend the blooming time.  

Due to the type of vertical growth and heavy blooming of the Amaryllis, staking the flower stalk may be necessary to insure the full enjoyment of the plant.  You should also try to keep the amaryllis away from heat vents and cold drafts to prevent drying. 

Once the blooms are spent, cut only the “spent” stalks back to 2-3 inches from the top of the bulb.  This may encourage an additional stalk to emerge.

Amaryllis can be grown in a pot as a patio or container plant throughout the rest of the year.  They will not tolerate freezing temperatures so the plant should be kept indoors until the danger of frost has passed.  Once the weather has warmed, move the plant outdoors to a relatively sunny location and provide plenty of water.  Another option is to plant the Amaryllis in the ground (zones 8 and warmer) amongst flowering plants to provide an interesting texture.  The long, dark green leaves are very smooth and will make an excellent background to multi-color beds.

Amaryllis are heavy feeders and like to be fertilized during the growing season.  We recommend feeding with Cottage Farms' water soluble Carefree Bud-N-Flower Booster.  Amaryllis should be fertilized every 2 to 3 weeks throughout the growing season until September 1st.

HOW TO REBLOOM YOUR AMARYLLIS

If grown as a container plant:  Amaryllis are easy to rebloom if you follow a couple of easy steps.  After September 1st, bring the plant indoors and place it in a cool room.  Water the plant only once every two weeks or less, allowing the soil to dry out in between waterings.  You want to force the plant to quit growing.  After 8 weeks, resume watering and care as you normally would for your houseplants, watering 1-2 times per week and not allowing the soil to dry out.  If the foliage has shriveled and turned brown, just remove it. 

Around the first of November, place the plant in a warm room and keep the soil evenly moist.  The bloom stalks should appear within 14 days and your plant should be showing color by Christmas. 

If grown as a bulb plant in a flower bed:  Carefully lift the bulb from the soil with a shovel or large trowel, being careful to stay far away from the bulb so as not to injure it.  Gently loosen the soil attached to the bulb and root structure.  Place the bulb in a cool dark area, if possible, like a garage or basement.  Do not water.  Wait 8 weeks or until the first of November.

Repot the bulb into the grower's pot so that the soil line is even with the top of the bulb and the nose is sticking above the soil.  Follow directions above.

Repeat the procedure to grow and rebloom for the next year.  If properly cared for, your Amaryllis bulb can grow and produce for multiple years.

QUICK REFERENCE PLANTING GUIDE

1. Light/Sun Exposure - Full to part sun.

2. USDA Hardiness Zones - 8 and warmer.

3. Planting Distance - 12 inches apart in-ground.

4. Mature Height/Spread - 20 inches the first year with a 1 to 2 feet spread.

5. Bloom Time - Intermittently throughout the year.

6. Planting Instructions - Your Amaryllis bulb(s) has been shipped pre-planted in the grower's pot.  Upon receipt, remove the grower's pot from the shipping packaging and the decorative cover. If the plant is in a plastic bag, please remove the pot and plant from the plastic bag.

During shipment, your pre-planted bulb(s) may be jostled around and the actual growing point (nose) may not be in a complete upright position.  Adjust the bulb(s) before watering to insure the nose is sticking just above the soil line in an unpright position.  We recommend removing the pot, adjusting the bulb(s), etc., in a sink area in case the soil happens to be displaced from the pot.  Water the pot thoroughly with enough water until it drains from the bottom of the grower’s pot drainage holes.  This will settle the soil so the bulb(s) has the support of the soil to grow and any air pockets will be eliminated.  After most of the excess water has drained from the pot (5 to 10 minutes), replace the grower’s pot inside the decorative cover and move your gift to a location where you will enjoy it most!

For in ground planting zones 8 and warmer - Dig a hole twice as wide and twice as deep as the pot in which your plant was grown.  Partially backfill the hole with soil, remove the plant from the pot and carefully position the root ball in the hole.  The top of the root ball should be level with the soil surface.  Refill the hole with soil, firming the soil around the plant with your fingers.  Check to be sure that the plant is not planted too deeply.  If it is, raise the plant gently and refirm the soil.  Water thoroughly.

SOIL PREPARATION

Although these plants will perform well in average garden soils of all types, we recommend having your soil tested periodically by the local County Extension Office.  These tests can determine if the soil needs any amendments to enhance your plants' growth and performance.  See below for our recommended practice to improve your soil without any additional testing:

1. Spade or till the soil to a depth of 12 to 18 inches.

2. It is always beneficial to add organic matter to your soil. You can mix in a 2 to 4 inch layer of dehydrated manure, garden compost, shredded leaves, and/or peat moss.

3. After active growth begins, periodically feed with Cottage Farms' water soluble Carefree Bud-N-Flower Booster.

CONTINUING CARE

Water - Your plants require at least 1 inch of rainfall (or equivalent watering) each week when in the ground. If you leave in a container outdoors that is exposed to full sun you will have to water well at least once every other day, possibly every day, during periods of intense summer heat. You may wish to temporarily move the container to a location where it is shielded during these times (i.e. in the shade of a tree, on a porch  near an overhang.).  It will still perform well in such situations. Remember to keep the soil moist, not wet.

Mulching - Apply a 2 to 4 inch layer of shredded bark, compost or other organic mulch around your plants to promote moisture retention, maintain even soil temperatures, and to discourage weed growth.

Weeding - In ground keep the area around your plants free of weeds. Weeds compete with all plants food, water and light. Walk around the garden periodically and pull weeds, including the roots, as soon as you see them.

Grooming - Clip off dead or unsightly growth to maintain attractive form and shape.  Deadhead or remove flowers when blooms have faded, leaving as much foliage as possible.  As long as the foliage remains green it will gather sunlight and transmit energy into the root system for the following growing season.

Feeding - Discontinue feeding after September 1st so your plants can harden off for winter dormancy. Resume fertilizing when new growth appears in spring and feed lightly once every 2 to 3 weeks.

Winterizing - None required in zones 8 and warmer.