Strategies for Re-Blooming Amaryllis - Enjoy Stunning Amaryllis Blooms Throughout the Year
The Amaryllis, a stunning houseplant known for its large, colorful blooms during the winter months, can be coaxed into blooming year after year with the right care. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you achieve repeated success with your Amaryllis.
**After Flowering Care**
Once the flowers have faded, cut off the spent flower stalks but leave the leaves intact. The leaves continue to photosynthesize and replenish the bulb’s energy for next year’s bloom. Continue watering and feed the bulb with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season to restore nutrients in the bulb.
**Allow Natural Leaf Dieback**
As summer arrives, the leaves will begin to yellow and die back naturally. At this stage, reduce watering and eventually stop it altogether. Cut back the dried foliage.
**Rest Period**
Put the bulb in a cool, dark place for a rest period of several months (usually midsummer to early fall). This dormancy is crucial for the bulb to prepare for the next bloom cycle.
**Restart Growth**
In early spring, resume watering to “wake” the bulb. Move it to a bright location and begin feeding it again. The bulb will start growing and eventually flower again.
**Pot and Soil Tips**
Plant the bulb in a pot only slightly larger than the bulb itself, using well-draining, peat-free compost. Keep the top third of the bulb above soil level. Turn the pot regularly during growth to keep the flower stalk straight.
**Avoid Forcing Frequent Blooms**
Do not force the bulb to bloom more than once every three years, as this can weaken it. Allow it to follow its natural cycle for the best long-term health and flowering.
**Special Note for Waxed Amaryllis Bulbs:**
For waxed amaryllis bulbs, after the bloom finishes and leaves yellow, gently remove the wax coating and pot the bulb. Then follow the same rest and regrowth cycle described above. This increases the chance of reblooming, though reblooming is less guaranteed with waxed bulbs than with regular potted bulbs.
By following this care routine, you can successfully encourage your amaryllis bulb to bloom again year after year with vibrant flowers.
Amaryllis plants produce flowers in the cool season when light is low and temperatures are cooler. To ensure the bulb remains healthy and has plenty of stored energy for future blooms, it needs to be treated right. Bonnie L. Grant, a professional landscaper with a Certification in Urban Gardening, and a passion for edible landscaping, emphasizes this point. Amaryllis plants are native to South Africa and are excellent houseplants. With proper care, they can rebloom annually for years.
After following the natural leaf dieback and rest period for the bulb, it's time to prepare for its next growth cycle. This may involve repotting in a pot slightly larger than the bulb, using well-draining, peat-free compost, and positioning it in a bright location during the growing season. Remember, avoid forcing the bulb to bloom more than once every three years, as this can weaken it. Instead, care for your Amaryllis as part of your home-and-garden lifestyle and gardening routine to encourage repeated blooms year after year.
