POT AMARYLLIS BULBS NOW FOR HOLIDAY COLOR
Fill your home with delightful winter bulb flowers for a boost of color amid the dreary winter landscape. Even though bulbs thrive outside, you can still create the ideal conditions for them to bloom beautifully inside your home. This winter, learn how to grow and care for amaryllis, paperwhite narcissus, and hyacinth bulbs indoors.
Amazing Amaryllis Bulbs
When you imagine spectacular winter flowers, you must be envisioning amaryllis. These large red, white, or pink flowers are a staple in holiday arrangements with their boastful blooms. You can find amaryllis in duo-colored tones and double-blossoms too. When you’re selecting your amaryllis bulbs, bigger is better. Aim for 11-13 inch bulbs for the most impressive blooms. Keep in mind there are always new varieties with exciting colors, shapes, textures, and growth rates, so feel free to ask us what would be best for your needs.
Caring for Amaryllis Bulbs
When it comes to amaryllis bulb care, you need to consider a few factors:
Planting: Choose a pot (with drainage) that snugly fits the bulb, nothing too big. You don’t want to cover the bulb completely in soil, so leave the bulb 25-30% emerging out of the well-draining soil. You can skip the fertilizing for now as it is too early in their growth cycle to need it.
Temperature: When they are first planted, amaryllis bulbs prefer to be cared for in a slightly cool location in the 70-75 degree Fahrenheit range. When they begin to bloom, you can actually drop them to cooler temperatures to extend their bloom life, around 55-65 degrees.
Light: Keep your amaryllis bulbs in an area with bright, indirect light. You can opt for a grow light or try to keep it in a south or east-facing window. With regular rotation and care, your amaryllis should grow strong and evenly. Strong stems are critical for proper growth.
Water: Be conservative with your watering schedule. A soggy bulb will rot and die before it gets a chance to thrive. Keep them barely moist and regularly check with the tip of your finger an inch into the soil.
When Should I Start my Amaryllis Blooming for Christmas?
If you want a beautiful blooming amaryllis in time for Christmas, then plan ahead 6-8 weeks. Start ‘forcing’ the blooming process in early September by planting the bulb and giving an initial watering (leave it at room temperature; it does not require chilling to be forced), and then avoid too much water until green growth appears. At this time, move to a sunny and warm location to watch it grow and bloom.
Planting and Caring for Hyacinth Bulbs
Fragrant and beautiful hyacinths are an easy bulb to care for. With shades of blue, pink, purple, white, you can mix and match multiple bulbs in one pot. Growing these bulbs is a work of art in itself—many growers opt for stylish hyacinth vases or clear bowls with colorful rocks. These vases allow the roots to grow directly into the water, allowing the flower to grow in a very zen-like way. Hyacinths are, however, a bit more complicated to grow indoors as they do require a chilling period. So you will need to follow the proper chilling techniques before planting the bulb for indoor growth. If this is too complicated, no worries, it is easy to purchase a ‘prepared’ hyacinth that is ready to grow!
Paperwhite Narcissus Bulb Care
Paperwhite narcissus bulbs are popular for new and seasoned green thumbs alike. Similar to hyacinths, you can grow them in tall clear vases with stones in water. The roots themselves are a part of the beauty! Paperwhite narcissus also loves to grow in moss on soil with some twigs to accent the beautiful stems. Paperwhites are similar to the amaryllis in that they also do not require a cooling period in order to force the blooms.
For more methods of bulb care, or if you’re looking for amaryllis bulbs for sale in Indiana, come visit us. We’re always here to help!