Giant Red Amaryllis

Amaryllis are tropical bulb plants that will put on an impressive display indoors with their dramatic blooms. From bud they will develop very quickly into large trumpet shaped flowers.

Once your plant is flowering it does not need a large amount of light and will be quite happy at normal indoor temperatures. The cooler the room the longer the blooms will last. Place your Amaryllis as a focal point in a room on a desk or table that receives bright, indirect light but make sure it is in a heavy pot or well weighted down as they can become top heavy during flowering.

Water sparingly until you see about 2" of new growth. From then on, water little and often once the growth starts to establish and add a little general-purpose feed once a month, aiming to keep the soil slightly damp not soaked regularly. As the plant grows, turn the pot periodically to encourage the flower stalks to grow straight. One or two flower buds will appear at the top of each stalk, followed by a dramatic floral display. To prolong the blooms, keep the pot out of direct sunlight.

Amaryllis can be encouraged to blossom again the following year. After the flowers have faded, cut the flower stalk to within 1" of the top of the bulb. Continue to water and feed the plant regularly. Amaryllis will grow several leaves during the spring and summer. This will help the plant produce energy for next year’s blooms. In mid-August, begin withholding water and let the foliage die back naturally as the pot dries out.

Once all the foliage has died back, cut it off about an inch above the bulb and then remove the bulb from the soil, and brush it to clean it. Store the dormant bulb in a paper bag and pop it in a cool, dark and dry place for a couple of months. Then, about 6 to 10 weeks before you want the amaryllis to flower again plant the bulb in container compost leaving the top two thirds of it above the soil. Water sparingly at first until new shoots start to form from the top of the bulb and then follow the care instructions above.

Problem Solving

If you notice your flowers starting to rot at the bottom before opening the plant is getting too much water, check your pot is not sitting in water and leave it to drain out on the draining board. Cut off the rotting flower stalk straight away to allow for a new fresh flower bud to grow. Your plant will grow at least 2-5 flower stalks over Christmas.

WARNING: Amaryllis pollen can stain fabrics, please protect upholstery from any contact with the pollen.