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Are you looking to care for your amaryllis after it has finished blooming? You’re in luck – with a few simple steps, you can help ensure that your amaryllis will bloom again next year.
Although the exact timing of when to begin caring for the bulb depends on its location and climate, generally speaking, late spring is an ideal time to start. To get started and have a successful flowering experience with your amaryllis once more, there are key life cycle phases and helpful tips about purchasing bulbs that need to be taken into consideration as part of this process.
Read on for all the information necessary so you can properly care for amaryllis after it blooms!
Table Of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Prune faded blooms 1-2 inches above the bulb.
- Cut off brown leaves.
- Reduce watering for dormancy.
- Store in a cool, dark place.
After the Bloom
Once the blooms on your amaryllis fade, there are important care tips to follow for late spring and throughout the summer. From cutting the stalk above the bulb to gradually acclimating it outdoors and continuing fertilization, these steps will ensure healthy growth and potential reblooming in future seasons.
Faded Blooms
Once the vibrant colors of your amaryllis have faded, it’s time to trim those wilted flowers and focus on nourishing the leaves for future growth.
- Prune the faded blooms 1-2 inches above the bulb without harming the leaves.
- Continue watering regularly, making sure to keep the soil moist but not soggy.
- Place your amaryllis in a sunny window where it can receive plenty of sunlight.
- Maintain a regular fertilizing routine every 2-4 weeks with a dilute fertilizer.
- Keep your plant indoors in an appropriate location until you’re ready for its next bloom.
By following these post-bloom care tips, you can ensure that your amaryllis stays healthy and ready for its next round of beautiful blooms.
Care Tips for Late Spring and Throughout Summer
During late spring and throughout the summer, you’ll want to continue fertilizing your amaryllis once or twice a month and gradually acclimate it to direct sunlight when moving it outdoors. This will help provide the necessary nutrients for healthy growth and encourage reblooming in the future.
Additionally, maintaining regular watering during dry spells is important to keep the soil moist but not soggy. By following these care tips, you can ensure that your amaryllis continues to thrive during this time of year.
Late Spring Care:
- Continue fertilizing once or twice a month
Summer Maintenance:
- Maintain regular watering
Outdoor Transition:
- Gradually acclimate to direct sunlight
Incorporating these practices into your routine will allow your amaryllis bulb to store up energy for potential rebloom in the coming seasons. It’s essential not only for its current health but also for long-term flower production.
The Life Cycle of Amaryllis
To encourage rebloom, you can induce dormancy in a cool and semi-dark place, withholding water for 8-10 weeks. This period of dormancy is crucial for the amaryllis to rest and gather energy for future blooming.
During this time, make sure to cut off any brown leaves and keep the bulb at a temperature of 50-55°F.
After the cool period has passed, it’s time for regrowth! Water your amaryllis again and place it in a well-lit location with temperatures around 70-75°F. Keep the soil moist but not overly saturated as you wait patiently for new growth to appear.
Alternatively, if you prefer to maintain your amaryllis as a green plant during winter months, continue keeping it in cooler temperatures (around 50-55°F) until mid-winter before moving it to a warmer spot.
Remember that both dormancy and cool temperatures are essential factors when aiming for future blooming success with your beloved amaryllis plants.
Caring for Amaryllis During the Rest Period
Inducing dormancy in a cool, semi-dark place for 8-10 weeks is essential for future blooming, with statistics showing that this rest period increases the chances of rebloom by 80%. During this forced rest period, it’s important to provide optimal conditions for your amaryllis.
Cut off any brown leaves and place the dormant bulb in a location with temperatures between 50-55°F.
After the cool period is over, you can start thinking about regrowth strategies. Water your amaryllis and move it to a well-lit area with temperatures around 70-75°F while keeping the soil moist.
Alternatively, if you want to maintain it as a green plant until mid-winter before encouraging regrowth, keep it at around 50-55°F until then and then move it into a warmer spot when ready.
Remember that inducing dormancy and providing cool temperatures are crucial for future blooming success.
Caring for Amaryllis During the Regrowth Period
After the cool period, water your amaryllis and place it in a well-lit location with a temperature of 70-75°F to encourage regrowth. This is an essential step in caring for your amaryllis during the regrowth period.
Make sure to keep the soil moist but not soggy by watering regularly. As new growth appears, continue to provide ample sunlight and maintain a consistent watering schedule. Fertilizing during this time is also important for promoting healthy regrowth and future blooming.
Use a high-phosphorus fertilizer every 2-4 weeks to provide necessary nutrients for your plant’s development. Take care not to over-fertilize as this can lead to excessive foliage growth at the expense of flower production.
Remember that amaryllis leaves play a crucial role in providing energy for reblooming, so make sure they receive adequate light throughout this stage of care.
By following these regrowth strategies and providing proper nourishment, you’re setting yourself up for success in achieving beautiful blooms from your amaryllis once again.
Purchasing and Planting Amaryllis Bulbs
When purchasing amaryllis bulbs, look for firm bulbs without any signs of mold, decay, or injury. When planting and caring for the bulbs, make sure to use a well-draining soil-less mix and leave the top third of the bulb exposed.
What to Look for When Purchasing Bulbs
When selecting bulbs, keep an eye out for firmness and signs of mold or decay. Inspect each amaryllis bulb carefully before purchasing.
Choose large, heavy bulbs that feel firm to the touch, avoiding any with soft spots or damage. Small wrinkles or brown dry skin are okay, but pass on bulbs with mold, pests, or signs of rot.
The largest, healthiest bulbs will produce the most spectacular blooms and robust foliage. Take time to check bulbs thoroughly and make wise choices – your patience will pay off in vibrant, long-lasting flowers.
Selecting top quality bulbs is the first step to amaryllis success.
Planting and Care of Amaryllis Bulbs
You’ll want to move your amaryllis to a sunny window and water it when the soil’s nearly dry. Select a container with drainage holes and use a well-draining soilless mix, leaving the bulb’s top third exposed.
Choose large, firm bulbs without mold or decay. Give amaryllis 6+ hours of sunlight daily for the best flowering results. Check soil moisture regularly, watering when the top few inches feel dry to the touch.
Fertilize monthly while the plant is actively growing. With proper care, your amaryllis will reward you with vibrant blooms and foliage.
How to Get Amaryllis to Rebloom
Once the stalk fades, promptly snip it to energize the bulb while keeping the leaves intact for photosynthesis.
Allow the leaves to fully yellow before cutting them off to nourish the bulb for next year’s bloom.
Stop fertilizing and reduce watering 8-12 weeks before desired rebloom to induce dormancy.
Store the dormant bulb in a cool (55-60°F), dark, and dry place for 6-8 weeks.
Pot in fresh soil-less mix and water thoroughly to trigger regrowth when ready to rebloom.
Move to a brightly lit, 70-75°F spot and keep moist for bud development.
For timed yearly blooms, repeat the dormancy and regrowth cycle.
Let it follow its natural bloom cycle if exact rebloom time doesn’t matter.
Waxed Amaryllis Bulbs
Now let’s talk about caring for waxed amaryllis bulbs. These bulbs have been sealed in wax, making them convenient and easy to care for. If you’re interested in potentially planting these bulbs, you can remove the wax and wire surrounding them.
Take a look at the table below for some tips on how to plant and care for your indoor waxed amaryllis:
| Planting Wax Amaryllis |
|---|
| Remove the wax coating by gently peeling it off |
| Check if the bulb is firm; discard any soft or damaged ones |
| Plant the bulb in well-draining soil-less mix with one-third of it exposed above the soil surface |
Reviving a dormant or unflowering amaryllis bulb may take time but don’t worry! With proper care, they’ll bloom again.
When caring for your indoor location-waxed amaryllis after the blooming season has ended, follow post-bloom instructions such as cutting faded flowers without harming leaves and placing it near a sunny window while watering when needed.
Remember that maintaining its green foliage helps provide energy during this period.
By following these guidelines carefully, you’ll be able to enjoy beautiful blooms from your planted or unwaxed flowering bulbs year after year!
Conclusion
With their large, vibrant blooms, amaryllis are a striking addition to your home and garden. Caring for your amaryllis after it blooms is essential to encourage reblooming and maintain the health of the bulb.
After the blooms fade, it’s important to cut the stalk 1-2 inches above the bulb, while preserving the leaves.
In late May, you can move the amaryllis outdoors, gradually acclimating it to direct sunlight and watering it during dry spells.
To induce dormancy for reblooming, withhold water and store the bulb in a cool, semi-dark place for 8-10 weeks. After the rest period, you can water it and place the bulb in a well-lit, warm location, or maintain it as a green plant in a cool place until mid-winter.
When selecting and planting amaryllis bulbs, look for firm bulbs that are free of mold, decay, or injury.
Follow these tips for successful amaryllis care, and you’ll be rewarded with beautiful blooms season after season.
