Amaryllis: here's how to care for the Christmas favorite and enjoy longer blooms
Amaryllis is a showstopping Christmas flower that brightens many homes during the holiday season. The amaryllis bulb size influences the number of flower stems and the size of its bell-shaped blooms. With moderate watering and proper support, amaryllis will maintain its vibrant blossoms.
Choose the right amaryllis
It’s often said that a large amaryllis bulb promises a magnificent bloom. However, it’s best to compare bulb sizes only within the same variety. Small-flowered amaryllis varieties have smaller bulbs yet can grow three or four flower stalks. The beauty of these varieties lies in their delicate, graceful blossoms.
Care and watering for amaryllis
In the beginning, the flower draws on stored water and energy within the bulb. Later on, amaryllis needs watering a couple of times a week. If it becomes too dry, the buds may not open fully, and the blossoms won’t last as long. The plant will also remain short. Weak growth can likewise stem from root issues that cause water stress.
However, be moderate in your watering. Too much water combined with a warm environment can cause the plant to shoot up into a tall, spindly specimen. Support the slender stem with a plant stake or cut the bloom to place in a vase.
Amaryllis also makes a lovely cut flower
You can cut the amaryllis flower while it’s still in bud form, as soon as the petals start to open slightly. If the stem tissue seems weak, insert a support stick into the hollow stem and wrap a rubber band around the base.
