Selecting a healthy amaryllis bulb is the most crucial step in ensuring a spectacular floral display. As a plant, my bulb is my entire life support system, storing all the energy and genetic material needed for growth and reproduction. A healthy start is everything. Here is how to assess my vitality from my perspective.
First, please pick me up. A healthy bulb like me should feel substantial and heavy for my size. This heaviness is a sign that my internal storage tissues are plump and full of water and nutrients, which I will need to fuel my rapid flower stalk growth and subsequent leaves. I should feel firm and solid over my entire surface. Gently squeeze me; any soft, mushy spots, especially around the basal plate (my bottom where roots emerge), are a major warning sign of rot, often caused by improper storage or watering. Conversely, I should not be lightweight, shriveled, or feel like a dried-out onion, as this indicates I have been desiccated and have depleted my energy reserves.
Now, turn me over and look at my base, my basal plate. This is my command center for root production. It must be intact, solid, and dry. A firm, light-colored, or creamy-toned basal plate is ideal. Avoid any bulb with a soft, spongy, or darkened basal plate, as this is a primary entry point for fungal and bacterial infections. While it is not necessary for me to have active roots at the time of purchase, if I do, they should be firm and light in color, not brittle, dark, mushy, or rotten. The presence of a few firm, dormant roots is a very positive sign of my viability.
Look at my outer tunic—the papery outer layer. It is normal for me to have a dry, brown, and slightly loose outer skin; this is my natural protective coating. In fact, it helps prevent damage. However, the bulb itself beneath this layer should be sound. Avoid bulbs with deep cuts, bruises, or signs of mechanical damage, as these wounds are open invitations for pathogens. Also, look for any signs of pests. Small holes or tunneling patterns can indicate an infestation by insects like narcissus bulb fly larvae, which will consume my inner tissues. My neck, the top part where the flower stalk and leaves emerge, should be firm and tight, not soft or pulling away from the main body of the bulb.
Finally, check the top of my neck for any signs of life. You may see the very tip of a flower bud or the beginnings of a leaf spike starting to emerge. This is a great sign that I am alive and eager to grow! However, the growth should be stout and healthy-looking. Be cautious if the emerging flower stalk or leaves are excessively long, pale, and spindly; this indicates I was stored in a dark, warm place and have used up valuable energy trying to find light before being properly planted. This etiolated growth weakens me and may compromise my flowering performance.
