November 21, 2016
By Betty Philip
So, you’ve got your hands on a few (or a lot) of amaryllis bulbs. Now what? Either, you are a well-seasoned gardener and know the best tricks to grow these beautiful flowers. Or, this is the first time you are getting your hands dirty with soil and bulb(s). Or perhaps you’re somewhere in between. In any case, we’ve got you covered– here are some great tips from our seasoned amaryllis growers and wonderful supporters of the Amaryllis Campaign.
Photo credit: Yvette
By the way, time is running out as our last orders are taken by November 30th, 2016 and just under 5% of bulbs are left. Grab more today for yourself, or to gift your loved ones, neighbors, teachers or colleagues. You can order your amaryllis by clicking here, emailing amaryllis@huntingtonsociety.ca, or by calling us at 1-800-998-7398.
Bev (Pincher Creek, AB) shares – “They (amaryllis) grow best with hope and love (just like my grand kids!) Lots of water and sunshine will produce the best blossoms. They can get tippy, and a simple stake does the trick. But I’ve seen everything from a string from the ceiling, deer horns, lamps and even an old broomstick! Be creative – it’s part of the amaryllis growing fun!”
Larry (Cambridge, ON) says – “You don’t need any fertilizer at all. A larger pot can help with a tippy problem, but you still might need to stake or tie it if it grows really tall. They don’t need much water until the bloom is formed, then they need a fair bit. And they really like the heat! Warm, sunny windows are the best.”
Brenda (Ottawa, ON) adds – “I always place little stones in the bottom of the container to help with drainage. Soggy roots do not make an amaryllis happy! If you want flowers fit for a Queen, never water until you see Green! To prevent tippy problems, I place my pot containing the flowers in a much larger, sturdy pot and use carefully placed stakes to anchor the stem(s).”
There you go! Now you’re equipped to bloom those gorgeous plants and if luck is on your side, you could beat Brenda’s record of 17 flowers on a single pot!
Good luck! And thank you for joining hands with our many amaryllis growers across Canada in inspiring hope for individuals and families impacted by Huntington disease.
P.S. Our Amaryllis Photo Festival is still going strong! Tag your photos with #HSCAmaryllis or send them to us directly at amaryllis@huntingtonsociety.ca!