Dakota Gardener: Amaryllis by Christmas morning

"It looks like an onion," said a friend.

"I can promise you it isn't," I replied.

The plant in question was an amaryllis. I recently picked the bulb up from the local garden store and put it into a pot. In my friend's defense, the bulb does look like an onion.

Amaryllis are quite popular for holiday gifts. The wax-covered bulbs seen in garden catalogs will only bloom once because the bulb exhausts most of its nutrients producing the flower. The wax on the bulb helps maintain moisture.

Transferring these wax-covered bulbs into soil can be challenging as the roots are removed to stress the bulb into blooming. If year-round blooms are what you are after, choose a firm, large, wax-free bulb showing new growth. Larger bulbs mean more stored nutrients, which leads to more blooms.

Proper bulb selection is the easiest way to prevent potential problems and achieve the best results. Amaryllis prefers to be root-bound with the top one-half to one-third of the bulb above the soil. Plant bulbs in a container one inch wider than the widest part of the bulb and twice as tall. A bloom can be expected 4-6 weeks after planting.

Timing is important to ensure a bloom for a specific time. For a Christmas bloom, plant the bulb in the beginning to mid-November. To force a bloom the amaryllis must be dormant for a period. Place the Amaryllis in a cool place, around 55 degrees Fahrenheit, and do not water. Once the leaves become brown and dry, remove them, and place the bulb in a dark location for 8 to 12 weeks, periodically checking for mold or mildew. If new growth appears in that time, move to a sunny location. If there are no signs of growth after 12 weeks, move it to a sunny location. Once the bulb has been moved, water and fertilize to provide energy for bloom production. Plan for a bloom in 4 to 6 weeks after the dormancy period.

Your amaryllis has bloomed! So how do we take care of these beautiful blooms? Because the amaryllis originates in South America, it loves sunny windows and requires around six hours of full sun daily. Be sure to keep it away from drafty windows as excessive cold and frost can kill an amaryllis.

Amaryllis can suffer from root rot. Use well-draining soil to keep it moist, but not too wet. Fertilizer should be applied monthly. Cut the flower once it has faded but do not remove the flower stalk until it has turned yellow. If your bulb is not blooming, it is typically due to a lack of nutrients stored in the bulb. In this situation, fertilize more frequently to encourage blooms in approximately 12 weeks.

With any luck, you should have a beautiful festive flower just in time for the holidays!