Amaryllis bulbs are cherished for bringing life and color to homes with their beautiful blooms, especially during the winter months. Whether grown indoors or outdoors, the vibrant flowers of the amaryllis bulb can transform any dull space into a lively one. However, many people discard the bulb once the blooms fade, thinking it may not grow beautifully again.
In reality, with proper care, an amaryllis bulb can rebloom year after year if kept properly. To save an amaryllis bulb, one needs to understand its growth cycle, dormancy, and regrowth period. In this blog, you will understand how to effectively save an amaryllis bulb for future use.
Why Save an Amaryllis Bulb?
Saving an amaryllis bulb is a great way to enjoy its stunning blooms for years to come. Typically, large bulbs produce more and better-looking flowers; most produce two to six large, vibrant flowers on a tall stalk. It is absolutely worth saving when the amaryllis blooms beautifully, and the bulb remains healthy. However, if there are no blooms or only one, the bulb may even lack the stored energy to bloom well again.
With proper post-bloom care, a healthy bulb can easily rebloom. For example, in some winter plants like poinsettias or holiday cacti, amaryllis require specific conditions to recharge and rebloom beautifully. To ensure this, let the leaves grow after blooming, provide enough sunlight, and allow it to rest before the next flowering season. Hence, almost all bulbs can be saved if properly cared for.
Plants grown in water or encased in wax are for one-time displays because they lack soil and roots. They don’t bloom again once the stored nutrients are fully depleted. Hence, in such cases, it’s best to enjoy their presence for that season and buy a new bulb for next year.
Important Note: Remember that all parts of amaryllis, especially the bulb, are toxic to pets. Therefore, make sure to store them out of reach of your pets.
How to Save an Amaryllis Bulb for Replanting?
Understanding the natural cycle of the amaryllis bulb will help you figure out how to save it for future use. As the Amaryllis bulb is native to Central and South America, it grows best in areas with cool winter temperatures, not freezing cold. It is also necessary to give a period of rest before it blooms again. Here is how you can help your amaryllis bulb thrive year after year.
1- Once your amaryllis has finished blooming and leaves are growing, treat it like a normal houseplant. You can keep it in bright, indirect light and water just enough to keep the soil moist and healthy. Make sure to use an all-purpose houseplant fertilizer every month to promote healthy leaf growth.
2- During the warm weather, when night temperature is about 60°F, shift your amaryllis outside to a shaded or part-sun area. You can either plant it directly in the ground and bury about two-thirds of the bulb or simply keep it in its pot because it enjoys being snug.
3- Since Amaryllis is not a tropical plant that waits for the monsoon to arrive, water the plant occasionally and let rainfall do the rest of the work. Make sure to fertilize monthly and water occasionally during dry spells to keep the bulb healthy.
4- When the temperature begins to drop in the fall, bring the amaryllis inside before the night temperature goes below 60°F. Either dig it up gently, if planted in the ground, or just move the pot inside.
Where to Store the Amaryllis Bulb?
It is crucial to store the amaryllis bulb in the right place under the right conditions to ensure it can be used again. Therefore, avoid storing it in the refrigerator, as cold temperatures can harm or kill this tropical plant. You can keep the bulb in a pot and water it regularly until the green leaves naturally turn yellow and die back. During this phase, make sure the bulb gets enough sunlight, as the leaves help it collect the essential nutrients required for the next blooming cycle.
Once all the foliage has dried and fallen off, place the bulb in a brown paper bag. Later, store it at room temperature in a cool, dark, and dry location, such as a closet or cabinet. Do not disturb the bulb for about six to eight weeks and let it rest completely. Once this dormancy period is over, you can repot the bulb or resume watering if it’s in the same pot. If you want the bulb to rebloom beautifully, then make sure it absorbs enough sunlight before dormancy.
How to Care for Amaryllis Bulbs?
Move the Amaryllis bulb outdoors in late May for proper care. You can also acclimate it by placing the plant in a shaded or protected spot for a few days and gradually exposing it to more sunlight. After a week, it will be ready for full or partial sun. Place the pot in well-drained soil and water it regularly during dry spells.
Make sure to feed the plant either once or twice a month until July for healthy growth. With mid-September approaching, bring the bulb inside, place it near a sunny window, water it regularly, and fertilize lightly to keep the plant thriving year-round.
You do not need to throw that bulb away after it blooms completely. By storing it under the right conditions and nurturing it correctly, you can enjoy its bloom every year.
