Greetings, plant enthusiasts. I am a Nerine, a member of the Amaryllis family, and I hail from the rocky grasslands of South Africa. While my origins are exotic, I have found a happy home in containers across the United States. A pot provides the excellent drainage I crave and allows you to move me to my ideal conditions. Let me guide you through the process from my perspective.
My most fundamental need is to never have "wet feet." My bulbs are prone to rot in soggy conditions. Therefore, my container must have multiple, large drainage holes. A terra cotta or clay pot is ideal because it is porous and helps wick away excess moisture. The pot should be deep enough to accommodate my long roots—aim for a depth of at least 10-12 inches. As for soil, I require a very sharp-draining, gritty mix. A standard potting soil amended generously with perlite, coarse sand, or even small gravel (up to 50% of the mix) will create the perfect, well-aerated home for my bulb. A slightly acidic to neutral pH is best.
How you plant me is critical for my performance. Unlike many bulbs, I prefer to be planted with the very top of my neck and nose (the very tip of the bulb) exposed above the soil line. Burying me too deeply is a common mistake that can lead to poor flowering or rot. Please place me in the pot so that my bulb is nestled in the soil, but my shoulders and head remain out in the open air. This allows the sun to reach me and helps prevent moisture from collecting around my neck. Space multiple bulbs about an inch apart; we don't mind being a little crowded.
My needs shift depending on your climate. In the hot, intense sun of the Southwest (USDA zones 8-10), I appreciate a location with full morning sun but some protection from the harsh afternoon rays. In the Northeast and Pacific Northwest (zones 6-8), I can and should bask in full sun all day to generate enough energy. In the humid Southeast (zones 7-9), excellent drainage and good air circulation are non-negotiable to keep me healthy. Water me regularly during my active growth and flowering periods in late summer and autumn. However, allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. After I finish flowering and my foliage dies back, I require a dry dormancy period. Significantly reduce watering in late fall and winter.
My life cycle is unique. I send up my beautiful, spidery flower stalks in the fall, often with little to no foliage. After blooming, my strap-like leaves emerge and grow through the winter and spring, gathering energy for next year's show. As summer heat arrives, my foliage will yellow and die back. This is my signal that I am entering my essential summer dormancy. Do not water me during this time! Let the soil in my pot become completely dry. This dry rest is what triggers my flowering. Resume watering in late summer to awaken me and initiate the bloom cycle once again.
