Dutch Amaryllis ‘Sweet Nymph’
Amaryllis are some of the most beautiful and impressive indoor blooms you’ll ever lay eyes on. They are such a welcome sight when all is bare outside. This has become a winter tradition for me and I think if you grow her, you’ll make amaryllis your tradition too!
Let’s jump straight in to how you grow these beauties indoors!
PLANTING
Purchase bulbs from a reputable company. The bulbs should be firm and free of mold or other signs of spoilage. There is no need to pretreat or chill amaryllis bulbs; they are ready to grow as soon as they arrive.
Bulbs purchased in fall or winter should be planted into pots using a well-drained potting soil with the bulb neck well above the soil surface. I personally only cover the bottom 1/3 of the bulb with potting soil, and then cover the soil with Spanish moss or something similar.
The pot of choice should be large enough that there is about a 1-inch clearance between the pot rim and the bulb. Amaryllis like to be “crowded”.
Clay or plastic pots may be used, but since an amaryllis in bloom can be somewhat top-heavy, clay pots provide a little more stability. A glass vase with decorative rocks in the bottom is another option. If choosing a glass vase, monitor watering carefully since a vase doesn’t have drainage holes. You’ll want to make sure the water is only at a level where the roots can access it at watering time.
Glass vases and clay pots are 2 popular container choices to grow Amaryllis
LIGHT, TEMPERATURE, & WATER
Amaryllis are tropical plants that love heat!
Place the pot indoors in a sunny window (the more sun the better). They prefer temperatures between 75-80 degrees. Water them in with tepid water, being careful not to get water on the bulb nose. No need to water again until the flower bud is about 4” high. Over watering can cause the roots or bulb to rot instead of root!
When the flower stalk begins to emerge, begin keeping the soil evenly moist. It’s also helpful to rotate the pot about one-half turn every few days so it will grow straight.
Amaryllis will grow towards the light, so be sure to turn the pot a little each day to keep straight stems.
If you provide your amaryllis with too little light, the flower stalk will grow excessively tall and may even fall over. If your amaryllis needs extra support, you can:
1- Find a cool stick from outside and stake the stalk using twine or ribbon.
2- Try adding decorative rocks until it is stabilized.
PRO TIP- Amaryllis average between 18”-24” in height. You can successfully stunt the height of your amaryllis by using a 1:10 ratio of isopropyl alcohol or vodka : water dilution when watering (1 part alcohol, 10 parts water). If you are using rocks instead of potting soil, use even less alcohol. It works!
Flowering generally occurs about six to eight weeks after planting the bulb. As a rule, it takes 4 weeks to see the bloom after a shoot emerges. Some large bulbs will produce two flower stalks!🎉 Amaryllis make wonderful cut flowers. The bloom will last just as long as a cut flower in clean fresh water as it will in the flower pot.
Amaryllis Double Dutch Sweet Nymph
AFTER THE BLOOM
If you plan to save you amaryllis bulb in hopes of getting another wonderous bloom for the winter, you'll want to follow these instructions carefully.
Keep the bulbs in their pot through spring and summer, watering and fertilizing them regularly until they die back naturally. Sometime after the flower spike has emerged, leaves will grow from the top of the bulb. After the flower has bloomed and faded, cut the stalk at the point where it emerges from the bulb, but do not cut any foliage.
Continue to water and provide plenty of light. Once temperatures remain in the 70’s or higher, you can move your potted amaryllis outdoors to experience the natural cycles if you wish. Stop watering in mid- August and place somewhere dark such as a basement or closet. Allow the foliage to die back and the pot to be stored dry and in darkness for 2 months.
In November or December, bring the amaryllis back out and repeat above steps for another spectacular Winter Bloom!
Amaryllis Double Dutch White Nymph
Amaryllis are easy to grow once you get them settled with the right growing conditions. If you want to give it a go this winter, we have premium bulbs to choose from HERE.
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Happy Growing!
