We are all familiar with the beautiful amaryllis sold around the holidays. These bulbs, originally from South Africa are easily grown outdoors in warmer zones. However, you can successfully grow amaryllis indoors in colder climates. This is a guide about growing amaryllis.
By Ellen Brown
Today (June 4) I received a Red Lion Amaryllis bulb. It has a double stalk, the taller one being 12 inches high. Each stalk has what appears to be a large bud. It has not been planted in soil and the bulb is very clean. It is pale green in color. It has not been in water either.
My hardiness Zone is 5. What should I do with it at this time of the year. Should I plant outside or in a pot or in water? Should it be kept in the house or outside? How deep should the soil be or the water? Any help you can give me would be appreciated. Anything I have read appears to be advice for spring or winter forcing. Thank you.
Hardiness Zone: 5a
By Dawn T. from Racine County, WI
By straightace
06/07/2009
Plant it outside, with just over half the bulb buried, and fertilize it every other week with liquid fertilizer. Dig it up in September and store it in a dark place. You can take it out of storage in the winter and plant it in a pot indoors or wait 'til the risk of frost is past in Spring and plant it outside again. I used to grow amaryllis inside only, but you'll have blooms for more years if you plant them outside in the summer, where the bulb grows larger with sunlight. Enjoy your beautiful flowers!
I live in San Antonio, TX but I do not know my zone. Can amaryllis thrive in the yard? It gets hot here in the summer. Could I plant them under a crape myrtle? Is special soil required? Thank you.
Augusta
By trbrown22
01/07/2009
Here's a link to your zone finder:
http://www.burpee.com/ancillary/zonefinder.do?KickerID=1116&KICKER
You should not have a problem growing amaryllis outside, in the ground or potted. My Aunt lives in Houston and has actually pollinated her own amaryllis' and grows all of her's outside. Remember not to bury the bulb completely. My Aunt's bloom beautifully every year in a shady area, so under crepe myrtle should be an excellent place.
Good luck,
Tina
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