Ithaca Agway Good Growing Information Sheet
Amaryllis
The amaryllis is one of the easiest plants to bring to flower year to year. Purchase bulbs in the late fall, choosing the
largest ones: larger bulbs will produce more flower stalks. Pot the bulb in a good light organic rich soil mixture using a pot
1 to 2 inches bigger than the bulb and leaving the upper third of the bulb exposed. Water well when planting but water
lightly until foliage has begun to emerge. Direct sunlight and a room temperature between 65 and 70 degrees should be
provided. (When the bulbs flower, in about eight weeks, a cooler temperature will again help the blooms last longer.)
Water as required, and fertilize once a month with a soluble fertilizer.
When the flowers die, keep the foliage growing in good light by continuing to water and fertilize as needed. After all
danger of frost passed in the spring, place the entire pot in the soil outside, up to the rim, in a cool, semi- shaded area. An
Amaryllis usually needs 4 to 5 large leaves to store enough food reserves to bloom again. When the leaves turn yellow,
usually in August, bring the pot inside and set it in a cool, dry spot. Be sure to get it in before frost, as amaryllis won't
tolerate temperatures below 32 degrees. Some people will take the pot out of the ground, stop watering and place it on its
side to a cool dry spot to force it to go dormant. In mid-October or by early November, repot the bulb and follow the
previous year's schedule.
A very good resource is Cornell Cooperative Extension Gardening Resources. You can find growing guides for individual crops to get your vegetables off to a good start.
