Royal Dutch
Amaryllis
You will have success with Royal Dutch Amaryllis if you follow a few simple rules.
Potting. Pot your amaryllis between November and April. Choose a fairly deep flowerpot, approximately one inch larger in circumference than the bulb. Plant the bulb so that half of its depth is above the top of the soil. You can add decorative rock to top the soil.
Temperature. Place your potted amaryllis in a warm shaded area, preferably where there is gentle bottom heat (60-75 F). Even temperatures at day and night will give the best results. When the amaryllis is in full bloom, cool night temperatures (50 F) will lengthen your flower’s life.
Water. Give very little water until the bud is formed. Once the flower bud is well developed, you may place your pot in a cooler, well-lit area, but avoid direct sunlight. At this stage, the roots can stand more moisture and regular watering is required. Allow the soil to dry 1/3 of the way down the container before watering throughly.
Preserving Bulbs for Next Year. After flowering, keep the bulbs growing indoors by keeping the soil moist. Water soluble fertilizer can be used once a month. When the chance of a frost has passed in the Spring, put the plant outside in an area that is protected and preferably in semi-shade. Before any frost occurs in the Fall, during late September or early October, take the pot inside and remove the plant from the soil. Store the bulb in a dry place about 65 F and stop watering completely. The foliage will gradually turn yellow and when it has done so, you may cut off the foliage 2 inches above the top of the bulb. Leave the bulb dry and undisturbed for a month or two and then repeat the potting and growing instructions above. You may keep the bulb growing indoors if you have no place for it outside. Keep watering the plant once it had dried down completely and use a water soluble fertilizer once a month. You may cut foliage off the latter part of October – then follow the above instructions.
Potting. Pot your amaryllis between November and April. Choose a fairly deep flowerpot, approximately one inch larger in circumference than the bulb. Plant the bulb so that half of its depth is above the top of the soil. You can add decorative rock to top the soil.
Temperature. Place your potted amaryllis in a warm shaded area, preferably where there is gentle bottom heat (60-75 F). Even temperatures at day and night will give the best results. When the amaryllis is in full bloom, cool night temperatures (50 F) will lengthen your flower’s life.
Water. Give very little water until the bud is formed. Once the flower bud is well developed, you may place your pot in a cooler, well-lit area, but avoid direct sunlight. At this stage, the roots can stand more moisture and regular watering is required. Allow the soil to dry 1/3 of the way down the container before watering throughly.
Preserving Bulbs for Next Year. After flowering, keep the bulbs growing indoors by keeping the soil moist. Water soluble fertilizer can be used once a month. When the chance of a frost has passed in the Spring, put the plant outside in an area that is protected and preferably in semi-shade. Before any frost occurs in the Fall, during late September or early October, take the pot inside and remove the plant from the soil. Store the bulb in a dry place about 65 F and stop watering completely. The foliage will gradually turn yellow and when it has done so, you may cut off the foliage 2 inches above the top of the bulb. Leave the bulb dry and undisturbed for a month or two and then repeat the potting and growing instructions above. You may keep the bulb growing indoors if you have no place for it outside. Keep watering the plant once it had dried down completely and use a water soluble fertilizer once a month. You may cut foliage off the latter part of October – then follow the above instructions.