Does it seem like the holidays become a blur? One day it’s Halloween and then in the blink of an eye, it’s Thanksgiving and Christmas. The retailers who get a jump start on putting out their displays confuse us at times when you walk in and see almost all three at once.
Sometimes planning ahead is a good thing. Stop for a minute and think about what you want to be in bloom for Christmas. If it’s amaryllis, plant a bulb now!
This chart gives you an idea of when you’re amaryllis will bloom relative to the planting date. It usually takes six to eight weeks for amaryllis to bloom, but check the label on the variety you have — some bloom faster, and some slower.
| Planting date | Bloom timeframe |
| Oct. 15 | Nov. 19-Dec. 10 |
| Nov. 1 | Dec. 6-27 |
| Nov. 15 | Dec. 20-Jan. 10 |
| Dec. 1 | Jan. 6-28 |
| Dec. 15 | Jan. 19-Feb. 9 |
| Jan. 1 | Feb. 6-26 |
| Jan. 15 | Feb. 19-March 12 |
| Feb. 1 | March 8-29 |
| Feb. 15 | April 5-26 |
Amaryllis is a stunning addition to your holiday displays. The blooms are enormous. They make a statement! They come in a variety of colors from solid to bi-colored.
Easy, breezy, beautiful amaryllis
Few bulbs are easier to grow than amaryllis and few bloom with greater exuberance and beauty. Just plant the bulb in good potting soil, water regularly, and provide bright, indirect light. A support stake is handy for keeping the blooms upright, but little else is required. Most varieties will begin blooming six to eight weeks after planting; some can take as long as ten weeks.
If your amaryllis is not already potted, plant each amaryllis bulb in a 6-8″ pot. Heavy pots are preferable because lightweight pots may tip over under the weight of the blooms.
Plant the bulb, pointed-end-up, in potting mix. Pack the soil gently around the bulb so approximately one-third of the bulb remains above the soil line.
Place the pot in a location that receives bright, indirect light. Water sparingly until you see about 2″ of new growth. From then on, water regularly. As the plant grows, turn the pot periodically to encourage the flower stalks to grow straight. Flower buds will appear at the top of each stalk, followed by a dramatic floral display. To prolong the blooms, keep the pot out of direct sunlight.
Don’t be alarmed if your amaryllis bulbs sprout leaves first, and then the flower stalk emerges a little later. That’s what many varieties do. Others send up the flower stalk first, followed by the leaves. You should see the flower stalk peeking up between the leaves soon.
A rainbow of varieties
Not only do amaryllis come in a variety of colors, they are also available in single and double blooms. With a 7″ flower, they definitely will put on a show stopping performance in your holiday display.
You should be able to find what you are looking for at Lowe’s of Cornelia or any other local nurseries. For some of the more exotic varieties you can always order online. One of the best sites is www.amaryllis.com.
Bear in mind if you order online, some of these varieties are on the pricey side and shipping is additional.
Get a head start on the holidays today by planting an amaryllis bulb.
