My Amaryllis Finished Blooming, So Now What?

Whatever you do, don't throw out your Amaryllis that finished blooming!

One of the wonderful attributes of the Amaryllis is its re-blooming ability. With a little extra care and patience, one can enjoy its bloom again and again.

Since I posted the progression of my Amaryllis since December, I've placed it in a cool spot, nearest my window. The cooler temps have aided in its longevity. (Not too cool, as a frosty window can be too cold) I've been able to enjoy it's flowering for over 3 weeks now. I've also been careful not to get the bulb wet when I've watered and to also water only when the soil around the bulb is dry. Be sure to not to forget to water, as the flowers will stay hydrated and will last longer when you do.

It's sad to see no colour and it's happy blooms gone, but now is the time to bring life back to the bulb.

2 sets of blooms, removing one set

Once one set of blooms started to wither, I didn't wait to see them drop. I simply pinched the flower stalk back to just an inch above the bulb and let the other two blooms remain. I pinched them off using my thumb-nail rather than using my secateurs.  I find this way I wouldn't of damaged the other blooms. Just watch the stamens and anthers dusted with yellow pollen, they are full of it and it will stick; staining your clothes and furniture.

Remaining two blooms faded :(

About a week later, the remaining two blooms also withered.




I then removed them with my secateurs.

Cutting with my handy Felco's

Be careful handling the removed blooms, red flowers especially give off staining colour as the bloom gets mushy in parts as it withers. I like to remove them first, and then the stock, so that I don't get pollen everywhere.

Some folks recommend leaving the flower stock until it goes yellow and limp. I cut mine off. Perhaps I am impatient, or not - I just find it's simpler since the bulb does not require to hydrate the stalk and reduce wasted energy until it withers away.

Try real hard not to damage the leaves when removing the stalk. I used my sharp secuteers to do this, which makes a swift cut.

If you use a knife, cut away from the leaves. Energy returns back into the bulb when the leaves are healthy and robust.

Watch when cutting! Water will drain from the stock and can spill out. I just let all that water drain back into the pot.

As soon as you've removed the flower stalk, place the Amaryllis into a bright area. The leaves will begin to thicken and perhaps gain a greener hue because of the light. South facing is best. You can't give too much light. You want to bulk up the leaves, so that the bulb grows in diametre.

Every watering, I have been using Schultz's All Purpose plant food (7-7-7). Although, to increase flower production (bulb embryo inside) it would be best to use fertilizer with a high middle number, which encourages blooms.

I plan on bringing it outside to let it flourish once the threat of frost is gone. The last time I did this, several outer leaves wilted and became yellow. I simple removed them and let the newer leaves emerge from the centre. 

Here is my post what to do to - the way to store and start the process all over again. 

Reminiscing...Working the Land

Some of my earliest recollections as a child have been about the garden or working the land. Being the last in line of  five children, I got to watch, tag along and generally be a pest to my siblings with so many outdoor activities.

Mom loved Red Salvia and Yellow Marigolds *

One activity was trampling around in the flower garden. My Mom had a love for colour; our front and backyards were always full of colourful annuals. I remember fondly collecting seeds for next years planting.


My parents grew up in rural, subsistence farming communities in Europe. They knew how to work and live off the land. Both had a wealth of knowledge and know-how that I treasure today; having watched and learned so much from them. We owned a farm, quite rough around its edges that became my father's oasis. We as a family managed in the early years to transform part of the land into workable soil, producing sizable crops, at least enough for our needs.

Real poser, while the others did all the hard work*

We were taught pest control techniques that didn't use pesticides or herbicides. My parents were "green" before it was a coined-phrase. I remember the tedious task in collecting potato beetles off of leaves and especially the potato flowers. Ugh... boring job...but foundational.

I remember how we would hoe, weed and seed areas. Watched Dad rototill the soil with his blue tractor. We would work (I'm sure I sat around and played most of the time) real hard and then make our way to the lake to cool off with a summer swim. Good times!

Mom and Dad had us all gather and pick apples at our farm so we could make cider. All wonderful memories that I now cherish. Mind you, at the time we all grumbled (at least I did ;) at the hard work. Well worth it now that I look back at the hard-working ethic my parents modeled.

All my brother's hard work*

Young pumpkin patch*

I love how God works; planting seeds of knowledge and experience, allowing them to nurture and cultivate creative adults. For that I am grateful!

I am also grateful for older brothers who put up with my nagging and quirky ways. I learned heaps from them too.  And now that Mom and Dad are gone, I am so happy to look back and remember our fruitful childhood! Thank you Peter, for taking the above photos!*

Amaryllis Finally In Full Bloom

I chose the Amaryllis this January as the plant of the month simply because I have enjoyed watching the one I received bloom throughout the past 4 weeks.  I just love it!   

For those who are new to this plant, the Amaryllis originated in South America's tropical regions and has the botanical name Hippeastrum. It's available in Ontario, around late fall, up until January. The larger size of bulb, the larger the flower and the possibility of 2-3 bloom stalks. This bulb was about 24cm in diametre, and considered average. 

Most bulbs come in kits - pot, saucer, soil all included. It's also offered in single bulbs as well. Colours ranging in the reds, pinks, bi-colours, and whites.

Planting depth is key when it comes to this bulb, as one needs to plant it with its shoulder and neck exposed. Please don't ever be confused with other assortments of fall bulbs. This is a tropical bulb; it will be damaged if it comes into contact with frost, making it perfect for indoor planting.

Once planted, just a little watering now and again when the soil is dry to the touch, and you're all set!

It's been amazing to see it grow from this...  

 
       ...to this!

I decided to photograph the progress of the blooms every day and put together a collage of photos. I assembled these selections, showing their difference as the bloom unfurls.

It's hard to believe that such a large flower emerges from a bulb, the size of a fist. Found this great Youtube video of an Amaryllis blooming, captured with time-lapse photography.

This one shows the full flower, even up to its end. :(

Now that my Amaryllis is in full bloom, I will continue to keep the blooms hydrated, watering about once a week and I will add some All Purpose liquid plant food to help strengthen the bulb and encourage great leaf growth. When my Amaryllis blooms start to wither, I will post (here is the post) methods to save, renew and re-establish the bulb for future enjoyment!

Fun Seed Packages - McKenzie Seeds

I truly get a kick out of horticultural products which appeal to kids.

I stumbled upon these today, as I was looking at seeds for my garden:

McKenzie Seed line for Kids, see their website below

Aren't they fun?! As one of my earlier posts [ "Toilet Loo Rolls" ] had mentioned, kids love to sow seeds and to watch germination happen. With these seed packages, I think they would be happy to learn more about gardening.

These graphics and cartoon like characters make simple vegetable seed packages come alive - saying sow me!  The back of each package has planting instructions that are understandable to small kids, with great sowing diagrams.

Have a look at their other selections:
McKenzie Seeds for Kids

I snatched a bunch and hope it brings smiles to my nephews and niece.