Amaryllis and Christmas, the story of a strange encounter: large flowers, red like bows, which suddenly appear between December and January. But how many really know how to force flowering and keep the plant alive, without too much stress? Few. Yet, it would be enough to change a couple of habits.
It almost always happens like this: you pass by the garden center, you see them (already packaged like sweets, one next to the other), you take them instinctively. Then at home, you discard them, and the instructions are vague. We look for flowering specifically for the holidays, and then the nice thing is seeing friends surprised in front of those enormous petals. A classic last minute gift, in short. But also a way to bring something into your home that isn’t the usual butcher’s broom.
The truth? THE’amaryllis It seems complicated, but instead it is one of the most docile bulbs. Yet, even those with a green hand sometimes wonder: how do you synchronize it with the calendar? Yes, there is a trick. You just need to get into his rhythm a little, understand when he wants to rest and when he explodes with life. If you succeed, the flowering repeats (maybe not exactly at Christmas, but not too much later either). Not a small detail.
Amaryllis at Christmas: how to make it bloom at the right time
We need organization, more than a green thumb. Who wants theamaryllis in flower for the holidays must start early: fresh, firm, not dry bulbs. If they have already been in the pot since mid-November, there is a good chance of success. The vase does not have to be wide, on the contrary: better narrow, just larger than the bulb. Light, draining soil, water only when needed. Temperature? Warm, but not too much (a corner near the radiator is fine, just don’t overdo it). Light: lots of light, but no direct sun.
The bulb must be covered almost entirely, or left half out (schools of thought, in practice). Fertilizer? No, at least until the first sprout comes out. Patience is often lacking: 6-8 weeks are the norm between sowing and flowering. If you leave late, no drama: even if you arrive in January, the party continues. After all, it’s not a competition.
Maintaining the amaryllis: a few gestures, a lot of yield
When the flowers open, the difficult thing is to make them last. You need a constant temperature (better above 16°C), light and some extra attention to watering. No temperature changes, no drafts: the plant does not like moving. Every two days, turn the vase half a turn, otherwise the stem tends to bend towards the window. It’s a small gesture, but it works.
If the flowers wither quickly, cut the stem and place it in a tall glass of water: it remains beautiful even as a cut. A light spray on the leaves helps, especially if the heat is on day and night. Those who grow in water, however, must change often and check for mold (it happens, especially if it is hot in the house).
After the holidays: how not to let everything die
Once Christmas is over, many forget theamaryllis. Classic mistake. The withered flowers are removed, the bulb remains in the earth, watered every now and then. In January new leaves appear: it’s not a problem, it means it’s recharging.
From February, the water is reduced, letting the bulb go to rest. Sometimes it is enough to move the vase to a cool corner (10-15°C), almost as if it were hibernating. The plant seems stationary, but in reality it works under the radar. Mid spring: you can change the pot, add new soil, a pinch of fertilizer. If the bulb has been treated well, the shoots return and flowering, perhaps, comes again (maybe before summer, who knows).
Is that all? Not exactly. Every now and then all it takes is a little more light or a different room to change everything. A flower that blooms out of season, after all, is always a surprise. A small winter ritual that remains, even when the party outside has already passed.
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