Hello! I am your amaryllis bulb, a vessel of immense potential currently in a state of rest. Within my brown, papery tunic and my plump, layered body, I hold everything needed to produce spectacular blooms. My energy is stored, concentrated, and waiting. Before we begin, you must choose a container for me. It should be sturdy, only about 1-2 inches wider than my widest diameter, and must have excellent drainage holes. I do not like wet feet, as sitting in water will cause my base to rot, ending our journey before it begins. A well-draining potting mix is also crucial; a standard one amended with some perlite or sand is perfect.
Now, let's pot me. Please place a few pieces of broken pottery or stones over the drainage holes to keep the soil from washing out. Then, add your potting mix until the pot is about half full. Position me on top of the soil, with my roots facing down. You will notice I have a pointed end (my nose) and a broader, sometimes slightly flattened, base where the roots are. Now, add more soil around me, but here is the most important part: leave the top third to half of my bulb exposed above the soil line. Do not bury me completely! My shoulders and nose need to be in the air and light to prevent rot and to allow for proper growth. Gently firm the soil around my base to anchor me.
After settling me into my new home, it is time for a careful, initial watering. Use tepid water and pour it directly onto the soil around my base, avoiding my body. The goal is to moisten the soil and encourage my dormant roots to awaken and stretch out, but not to saturate it. Any excess water that flows into the saucer must be discarded immediately. Now, place my pot in a location that is consistently warm, around 68-70°F (20-21°C), and receives bright, indirect light. This warmth is my signal that it is time to break dormancy. Please be patient; visible growth may take a few weeks.
You will first see a thick, green shoot emerge from my nose. This is my flower stalk! Soon after, one or two more stalks may follow. As the stalk grows tall, strap-like leaves will also begin to unfurl. During this vigorous growth period, my thirst will increase. Water me whenever the top inch of soil feels dry, always careful to avoid overwatering. To support my heavy, magnificent blooms, you may need to stake the flower stalk. Rotate my pot regularly so I do not lean too far towards the light. Once my spectacular trumpet-shaped flowers open, you can prolong the display by moving me to a slightly cooler spot out of direct, harsh sunlight.
When my magnificent flowers finally wither, please do not discard me! The real work for me is just beginning. Use sharp, clean scissors to cut off the spent flower stalk about 1-2 inches above my nose, but leave my green, photosynthesizing leaves intact. They are now my solar panels, crucial for absorbing light and converting it into energy. This energy will be sent back down to be stored in my bulb for next year's bloom. Continue to water me regularly and feed me with a balanced liquid fertilizer every few weeks throughout the spring and summer. This post-bloom care is the secret to my spectacular performance year after year.
