I didn't have much hope because there was what appeared to be a dried up baby flower stem.... not developed very far.
But I dutifully put the "soil" in the pot, added water, and finally planted the bulb according to direction. I waited.
Soon large green strappy leaf tips appeared and grew and grew and grew. It was quite pretty, but as I suspected, no flower stem. So I just let the leaves grow and when the summer temps arrived, I put the pot outside on the edge of a planted I created for my Hosta on the north side of my house.
It looked pretty there with the Hosta and seemed happy, so it stayed until frost threatened this fall (October?). I brought it inside, with the still lovely green leaves. I cut the leaves off and let it dry out.
About a week ago or so, I started watering it again. I began by filling the pot with water until it was full to the top. For a couple days, I added more water to the top until the soil could absorb no more. Then I waited.
I didn't have to wait long. With in 5 days or so, a tiny green pointed top appeared. Now today it's over an inch tall.
When I hold it up to the light there is another similar shaped green thing "inside" the first on which now it rather large. (Excuse my thumb)
So I'm waiting again. I don't know whether the new (here invisible) green point will be a flower stem or another leaf. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
I'll keep you posted.
EDIT: Here is an excellent link on how to care for Amaryllis bulbs to get them to rebloom. I did some of these things. I only found the link today (12/11/09)
11 comments:
I've seen them in Lowe's recently, but didn't want to spend $14.95. Maybe I'll wait til they go half-price.... :-)
Keep us posted!
Hi Beth! If you wait for half-price like I did, Try to find one that doesn't have a dried bud like thing dangling out the side of the top. Then you might get a flower. I'm anxious to see just what this guy/gal will do.
I'm thinking that there will be no flower bud on mine this year either. I think the flower comes out first and I'm getting leaves.
But I'll wait...
Wow. I've never had much luck with Amaryllis, I didn't even know that they COULD rebloom! :)
I love your hostas- ours are SO overgrown that we have a jungle of them in some spots around our house. I guess I could try to thin them out...can I do that in the spring or is this a fall activity?
Both my windows at work are full of amaryllis. I'm afraid to have them at home because the cats have to taste every plant I bring in.
Marnie
I only got an amaryllis to rebloom once. Thanks for the link. I've got a Giveaway at my place. Right Rose Right Place by Peter Schneider and 2 dozen CowPots for seed starting. You have til midnight to leave a comment because the drawing is tomorrow morning.
Hi Melissa,
The hostas were in their first year after being dug by a friend from her garden. They will spread each year. As to when to separate them, it depends on whether you want the bloom. Let's ignore blooms. Wait until early summer when the leaves are well up and you know just how big the plant is.
Preferred method: dig the whole plant out of the ground. Take two garden forks, place them back to back and push them into the very large plant mass. Pull the two handles apart from each other and the mass will separate into two parts.
OR, don't dig the whole mass out of the garden. Instead just take a regular garden shovel and stomp it into the middle of the mass while it's planted. Stomp it down until you think you are through the root mass. Then work your shovel around from the shovel location until it feels loose. Lift it out and place it into a new hole. Fill in the hole beside the original plant or divide further.
Whatever size piece you separate off, be sure you have at least three "eyes" left on the new small mass.
Hi Marnie. I'll bet that's the most beautiful window in your office. I know what you mean about the kitties. Are these amaryllis all new ones?
Hi Commonweeder. Thanks for stopping by. Always like to see a new name. I'll check out your give-away and your blog. See you again.
Hiya CF,
You don't know how lucky you are to have a green thumb. Many times I wished I could grow things and then the slacker part of me takes over, and I start thinking of all the work of digging, and weeding, and watering. So I get to thinking of how much more productive I could be laying on the couch and flipping the channels. Oh well, to each their own hobbies. :)
The house hunting is still at a standstill, but I'm sure something will turn up here sooner or later.
I saw where you got your snow. We didn't get our predicted snow down here, but there's always hoping.
Take care,
FM
Hi FM. So good to see you, always.
Sorry you have to deal with house hunting. It shouldn't have to be that way.....
Keep on coming by.
We used to get an amaryllis from Mr. Geek's grandmother every year.... your post brings back some memories! I don't think we ever had one for more than a year, though.
By the way - don't let my agility video scare you - those courses at the championships were HUGE - much longer and much more wide open that you would see at a regular trial!
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