"Growing Amaryllis        Bulbs Outdoors"

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The Amaryllis or Hippeastrum is a frost-tender bulb that comes from the tropical areas of South America and the Caribbean. With their large, robust flowers of beautiful textures Amaryllis provide spectacular flower effects outside. They can be grown outside in USA in climatic zones 8 to 10. In other climatic zones, pot-grown Amaryllis can be transplanted outside in spring as soon as the danger of frost has passed.

Amaryllis will grow in almost any good garden soil as long as it is well-drained, but a soil rich in organic matter will provide best growth. Plant your bulbs late September or early October about a foot apart leaving the tops barely covered with soil. Mulch the planting to conserve moisture and to help control weeds. Avoid placing the bulb where it will dry out excessively.

Feeding Your Amaryllis

Use low nitrogen fertilizers (such as 5-10-10 or 6-12-12 analysis). Apply 1 to 1-1/2 pounds per 100 square feet to established plantings, or 3 pounds per 100 square feet to new plants. Excessive nitrogen encourages too much vegetative growth and reduces flowering. A bulb booster type fertilizer can also be used. Apply the fertilizer as new growth begins. Then repeat the application when the flower stem is six to eight inches tall (15-20 cm). Apply a third application when the old flowering stems have been removed.

Diseases and Pests

Stagonospora (fire spot, red spot or red blotch) is the major potential disease. It is quite common. It appears as red spots on leaves, flowers and flower stems. Leaves or stems may be deformed and the bulb may have large, red blotches which rot easily. To control this disease spray or dust bulbs with Captan or Benlate fungicide before planting. If red blotch symptoms develop during the growing season, spray weekly or at 10-day intervals with Benlate or Captan (following the manufacturer's instructions) to help reduce the severity of the disease.

Mites, thrips, mealybugs, and grasshoppers can also cause problems.

After Flowering and General Care

After flowering cut off the flower stalk two inches from the base, but leave the foliage because it produces the food for next year's flowers. Later as summer ends the leaves yellow and wither.

Eventually clumps of bulbs become overcrowded. October is a good time to carefully dig up the clumps and separate them. Try to avoid tearing their fleshy roots Keep as much root as you can on the bulbs. Fork some compost into the soil and replant your bulbs straightaway.

Amaryllis planted in the garden will get into their natural cycle and bloom in April the following years. A light sprinkling of general-purpose fertilizer in March and June, and watering during unusually dry summer weather is all they need.

In colder climatic zones, plants must be brought indoors in September, before the first frost. Cut off the dead leaves, but let any green, living leaves remain. If your Amaryllis had previously been removed from the pot to be placed outdoors, then re-pot it immediately after removing from the ground - do not allow the roots to dry out. Your plant needs to finish its growing period . In some areas, you can overwinter the bed with a heavy layer of mulch for winter protection.

The key to repeat flowering is to keep your bulb at a temperature of 55 deg.F (13 deg.C) for a minimum of 8 to 10 weeks. This can be accomplished either by withholding water and then placing your bulb in a cool storage area or, preferably, by placing the plant in a cool (55 deg.F - 13 deg.C) growing location for this length of time. It is not necessary for your plant to go dormant. You should not water the bulb at this time. Cut off any dead leaves.

Failure to flower can be caused by excessive use of high nitrogen fertilizers, too rich soil, poor soil drainage and aeration, pests or disease, or replanting bulbs before maturity. Excess shade can result in small flowers of poor color. Too strong sun may cause bleaching of the flowers.

You can buy some good quality Amaryllis bulbs here. Just click on quality Amaryllis bulbs.

If you want to grow Amaryllis in pots, see Amaryllis.

For Amaryllis belladonna - the Belladonna Lily, also known as the Jersey Lily, see Amaryllis Belladonna.

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