I have a amerilas( spelling wrong)?
Question:It has finished bluming about a month ago, the flower stem turned mushey, I trimmed it off, now I have folage left, I know to keep them, but will they die off, or should I trim them, I am getting more leaves, how do I take care of the bulb.
Answers:
Check out this site from the University of Nebraska Lincoln. http://lancaster.unl.edu/hort/articles/2... It has some very good information about caring for Amaryllis, and should help you avoid the common problem with not getting repeat bloom beyond the first year.
If properly cared for, they should bloom within 4-6 weeks after being potted. And remember, they require TONS of light! Without adequate light, the leaves get long and floppy, and it won't bloom.
ONLY plant them outdoors if you live in Zone 9-10. You may be able to keep them alive in Zone 8, but you'd have to cover them with mulch for the winter. Anything lower, and they have to be removed every year. What a pain. They just don't do as well outdoors in colder climates without a lot more work.
amaryllis should be kept indoors for two seasons before planting outdoors. water regularly and balanced fertilizer monthly during growing season. let it go dry and unfed during it's dormancy (when all the leaves start to die). plant just below soil surface in late spring. all foliage should be allowed to die back naturally, only trim it off when the leaf is completely dried-up.
This is what I do with mine. After blooming I cut the stem close to the bulb, let the leaves grow and fertilize lightly. I have mine growing in pots. I put them in a shaded area outside (still in pots) until about mid October. Then I put them inside my garage where it does not freeze, and stop watering. About mid December I bring them inside, water, clean out any dead leaves and give them good light and a bit of fertilizer. Mine usually re bloom about February.
I live in zone 5/6. It usually freezes hard around late October to mid November, last frost date is about mid May. You must be in a very different zone! They don't need too much care and will last and flower for many, many years!
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