when to dig amaryllis bulbs

Amaryllis plants are tender and must be lifted in fall, before a hard freeze kills the bulb. How early you lift them depends on whether you are trying to time their bloom. For holiday flowers, you'll be digging bulbs in mid-August.

When should I pull my amaryllis bulbs?

Answer: If needed, amaryllis may be divided in October through mid-November or late February through mid-March. Lift the clumps of bulbs carefully so as not to damage the bulbs in the process. Try to get most of the roots attached to the bulbs. A garden fork works well as it will not cut through the roots.

What do you do with amaryllis bulbs after they bloom?

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 with a liquid houseplant fertilizer. Amaryllis will grow a number of leaves during the spring and summer. This will help the plant produce energy for the following year's bloom.

When can I move my amaryllis outside?

The amaryllis can be moved outdoors in late May or early June. Harden or acclimate the plant to the outdoors by initially placing it in a shady, protected area. After 2 or 3 days, gradually expose the amaryllis to longer periods of direct sun. Once hardened, select a site in partial to full sun.

What temperatures can amaryllis tolerate?

Amaryllis prefers warm temperatures (70 to 75 °F) for best growth until the roots form and the leaves and flower stalk begins to grow. Once the plant flowers, cooler temperatures (65 °F) will prolong the life of the flower.

How many years will an amaryllis bulb bloom?

How many years will an amaryllis bulb bloom? With proper care, an amaryllis bulb will grow and bloom for decades. One grower claims his bulb has bloomed every year for 75 years!

How do you save amaryllis bulbs next year?

Amaryllis Bulb Storage

When the foliage starts to die back naturally, cut it back to 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm.) above the bulb. Dig your bulb up and store it in a cool, dry, dark place (like a basement) for anywhere between 4 and 12 weeks. Amaryllis bulbs in winter go dormant, so it won't need any water or attention.

Can you leave bulbs in pots?

You can grow virtually any bulb in containers, and you can mix different types of bulbs together, too. ... Start with a container with drainage holes so that excess water can escape, and plant your bulbs in the fall. Most spring-blooming bulbs prefer well-drained soil and will rot and die if they stay too wet for too long.

Can you keep amaryllis for next year?

However, it's possible to save the amaryllis and force it to flower again next year. Proper cultural practices must be followed to successfully grow and reflower amaryllis bulbs. After the flowers fade, cut off the flower stalk with a sharp knife. Make the cut 1 to 2 inches above the bulb.

Are coffee grounds good for amaryllis?

They like slightly acid soil so many add a sprinkling of coffee grounds to the standard potting soil. When repotting, try not to disturb the roots too much. You may experience fewer blooms after repotting until the roots resettle. Mature plants should only be repotted when the plant is pot-bound.

Can amaryllis take full sun?

Like most flowering bulbs, amaryllis prefer full sun and well-drained soil.

Can you leave amaryllis in the ground?

Amaryllis bulbs can be planted directly in the ground in areas where temperatures do not go below 10°F (Zones 8-10), or in zone 7 for cold-tolerant species that we sell for spring planting. Choose a site with full sun (at least 6-8 hours of direct sun daily) and well-drained soil.

Should I cut off dead amaryllis flowers?

Remove dead flowers from the stem as each blossom passes. Once all buds have bloomed and flowering is complete, cut the entire stem one to tow inches above the bulb. Leaves should be left on the plant until they turn yellow as they provide nutrients for the bulb so it will rebloom the next year.

Will amaryllis bulbs multiply?

Plant bulbs in drifts in your garden for a big show of color. They should bloom the following year, around Mother's Day. If you live in the Upper or Middle South, you can leave your amaryllis in their pots for years. They will multiply and like being crowded.

Can you plant amaryllis outside in Florida?

Landscape Uses

In most regions of the United States, amaryllis must be grown as potted plants in the home or greenhouse. However, in Florida they are grown outdoors all year and make excellent garden plants.

What month do amaryllis bloom?

When do amaryllis bloom? In the garden they bloom in March, April, or May, depending on the variety. Some may produce bloom spikes again in the fall. Container-grown amaryllis will bloom indoors six to eight weeks after potting.

Is Amaryllis a perennial?

You can grow amaryllis from seed, but it can take up to six years for them to reach maturity and produce flowers. Amaryllis are tender perennials; most are hardy outdoors only in zones 9 to 11. Properly cared for, an amaryllis plant can live for 75 years!

Can you keep an amaryllis after flowering?

Don't toss your amaryllis bulbs after they finish blooming! You can keep them as houseplants and then coax them into bloom during the next holiday season. Here's what to do when the flowers fade: Snip off the flower stems about 1/2" from the bulb.

Can you leave bulbs in pots over winter?

Plant your bulbs in small 6-inch or 8-inch plastic pots and overwinter them under protection outdoors (in a cold frame, for instance) or in a cold garage. In the spring, as they start to bloom, you can then sink the pots into larger display containers.

What time of year should I plant bulbs?

Tulips, Daffodils, Fritillaria and all other spring flowering bulbs can be planted throughout September, October and November. Many types will perform perfectly well, even if planted well in to December but the trick is to get them in before the risk of frost, so that they can start producing roots.

Should I water bulbs in pots?

Although when you first plant up a container it may look skimpy the plants will soon grow and spread to fill out your pot. DON'T forget that plants in pots and containers need a considerable amount more watering than those in the garden. During really hot days water at least once a day.