Methods to Overwinter Amaryllis Bulbs

Amaryllis, Hippeastrum spp., are exceptionally showy bulbs typically grown indoors so as to add daring colour to our winter decor – however they will also be grown outside as perennials in delicate areas or as annuals which are lifted and saved for winter.

The massive, trumpet-shaped blooms flower in vibrant, saturated hues and are generally compelled to bloom indoors through the winter months, however outside, their pure flowering time is spring.

Hardy solely in USDA Zones 9 to 11, the tender bulbs are native to tropical and subtropical areas of the Caribbean, Central America, and South America and are inclined to wreck from freezing temperatures.

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Inside their hardiness vary, amaryllis can stay within the floor for winter, though they may want a little bit of safety from frosty temperatures or sudden chilly snaps.

To develop amaryllis outside exterior of their hardiness vary, they’ll must be lifted and stored in a frost-free location for defense over the winter months.

We’ve bought all the main points about learn how to look after amaryllis bulbs in winter, in or out of the backyard, so let’s dig in!

Right here’s what you’ll discover forward:

Amaryllis Bulb Fundamentals

Amaryllis bulbs are available a variety of sizes, and the bigger the bulb, the larger the flowering present.

The jumbo bulbs are 14 to fifteen inches in circumference (36 to 38 centimeters) and usually produce three stems with 4 or 5 flowers per stem!

The smallest have a circumference of 10 to 11 inches (26 to twenty-eight centimeters) and develop one or typically two flower stalks with three or 4 flowers.

They’re usually obtainable for buy at backyard facilities within the fall, from September by way of December.

And though they’re typically compelled to flower over the winter months, the conventional bloom time for amaryllis is in early spring.

Amaryllis will be grown outside as perennials in frost-free areas, and as annuals in colder areas.

And to be taught extra about outside cultivation, try our information to rising amaryllis outside within the backyard.

Care After Flowering

No matter whether or not your amaryllis are grown in containers or backyard beds, post-bloom care is identical.

Holding your amaryllis wholesome after flowering is what’s wanted to advertise blooms subsequent season.

Enable the straplike leaves to develop all through the summer time, fertilizing and watering your vegetation recurrently.

Take care to not overwater, which may trigger points like rot, however don’t let the soil dry out utterly both.

One of many fundamental causes for amaryllis not flowering within the subsequent blooming interval is that they weren’t capable of retailer sufficient vitamins through the post-flowering interval.

To present your vegetation the vitamins they want, use a water-soluble fertilizer utilized month-to-month through the rising season or apply gradual launch pellets in early spring and once more after flowering.

A balanced feed system with equal components nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium works nicely.

Burpee Natural All Goal Plant Meals

You’ll find four-pound luggage of granular Natural All Goal Plant Meals with a 5-5-5 NPK ratio obtainable at Burpee.

Container vegetation will be fed extra often – about each two weeks with a half-strength resolution of a water soluble fertilizer.

After the blooms fade, use clear, sharp scissors to take away the flowers and forestall seeds from forming. When allowed to develop seeds, it depletes the vitality reserves and may cut back flower manufacturing the next yr.

Use clear, sharp shears to chop the stem just under the spent bloom, leaving the rest of the flower stalk in place if it’s nonetheless vibrant inexperienced and wholesome.

So long as the flower stem is inexperienced, it continues to photosynthesize serving to the bulb to retailer vitality for future flowers and foliage. As soon as the colour lightens and begins to show yellow, take away the stem, trimming it near the bottom.

By mid to late fall, amaryllis vegetation often enter a dormant interval that lasts three to 4 months.

Right now, the foliage usually turns yellow and dies again for winter, though among the foliage might stay in delicate areas.

Fertilizing needs to be withheld from late summer time onwards.

Overwinter In-Floor

For gardeners in Zones 9 to 11, amaryllis will be overwintered in place. For these exterior of this vary, they need to be lifted and saved for winter, which we’ll cowl later on this article.

For in-ground care, after the foliage has turned brown and shriveled, gently pull it away or lower it from the bulb with clear, sharp scissors.

For those who dwell in an space with delicate winters, the foliage might stay evergreen yr spherical. It’s fantastic to depart it in place however withhold water and fertilizers till spring.

In areas that by no means expertise frost they require no extra mulching for winter safety.

In areas the place frost is feasible, add a four-inch layer of winter mulch to guard them from chilly temperatures, utilizing porous supplies to forestall standing water, akin to bark mulch, conifer needles, pebbles, or straw.

Winter rainfall is often sufficient to maintain the dormant bulbs viable, however in very dry situations, watering often helps to forestall shrinkage.

If rainfall is insufficient, water frivolously as soon as a month.

Elevate and Retailer

For those who’re rising exterior of their hardiness vary, the cold-tender bulbs must be lifted and saved in a protected surroundings for the winter months.

In late summer time to early autumn after the foliage dies again, draw back or in the reduction of the leaves to at least one to 2 inches above the bulb.

In case your vegetation are nonetheless inexperienced and vibrant in mid-August, cut back supplemental watering for 2 weeks then withhold it altogether to pressure them into dormancy.

Use a spade to elevate the bulbs fastidiously, gently brushing away any filth that adheres to the floor.

For storage, they are often potted up into small containers or saved unfastened in a bin or field.

Use packing containers with good airflow like perforated cardboard, woven jute, seagrass or wicker, or wire mesh. However keep away from plastic, which may entice and maintain moisture, inflicting points like rot.

I like to make use of a field with a sturdy body so I can stack and retailer a wide range of bulbs as they’re lifted from the backyard.

Woven Jute Bins

This set of two woven jute packing containers with handles are good for the job and are obtainable at Wayfair.

To switch bulbs to small nursery pots for storage, trim the roots then place them in pots which are just a few inches wider than the bulb’s circumference.

Add some coconut coir, peat moss, or dry potting soil to cowl the bulbs about midway, however depart the neck uncovered.

Unfastened bulbs will be gently rinsed with a backyard hose, dried completely, then saved in an open basket or field nestled into some coconut coir or peat moss.

Retailer in a cool, darkish, and dry surroundings. The best temperature is within the vary of 40 to 50°F, and so they’ll be fantastic in temperatures as much as 60°F.

However don’t retailer amaryllis bulbs within the fridge.

I do know there’s oodles of on-line recommendation saying that fridge storage is okay so long as there are not any apples current however these are tropical bulbs that don’t require any chill hours to bloom.

Nonetheless, they do have a dormancy interval, and funky, however not chilly, temperatures assist them to relaxation – they may survive the mistreatment of fridge storage, however they gained’t be glad about it and decreased flowering will be anticipated.

For those who don’t have a cool basement, storage, or shed to retailer your bulbs, tuck them right into a darkish cabinet within the coolest room in your house. A cool surroundings is much better for them than chilly fridge temperatures.

Examine them month-to-month to search for indicators of shriveling or withering that may point out that they’re turning into too dry.

In the event that they’re beginning to dry and pucker, give them a mild contact of water – however not more than only a few tablespoons sprinkled onto the storage medium or the soil of a potted plant.

Examine in just a few days and repeat as wanted till the shriveling eases up – often one or two purposes is adequate.

Retailer bulbs for no less than eight weeks and as a lot as 12 weeks, an extended relaxation interval produces extra plentiful flowering.

After dormancy, pot up unfastened bulbs and transfer them right into a heat location to sprout – our information to repotting amaryllis has all the main points.

When in a single day temperatures keep above 50°F, you possibly can plant them out into the backyard.

Container Care

After flowering, deal with container-grown specimens the identical as these rising within the backyard.

Water and fertilize recurrently till late within the rising season.

In frost-free areas, container vegetation can stay in place.

However if you happen to obtain a number of winter rainfall, transfer your pots right into a sheltered spot or rain shadow so that they’re not continuously saturated. Beneath eaves or a big evergreen, or towards a fence or wall are appropriate places.

It’s additionally a good suggestion to take away catchment saucers and elevate containers on bricks, pot toes, or a few items of lumber to forestall standing water.

And the soil in containers have to be well-draining.

If winters in your area are dry, water the bulbs month-to-month if wanted. However go frivolously and provides them solely small sips of water, simply sufficient to forestall shriveling.

In colder areas with common frosty temperatures, the containers must be moved right into a frost-free location for winter.

In late summer time, cut back watering for 2 weeks then withhold it fully for one more two to 6 weeks.

Take away the foliage because it withers and dies, reducing it again to at least one to 2 inches.

Transfer containers right into a frost free surroundings like a shed or storage earlier than nighttime temperatures drop to 50°F. If wanted, present them with a small sip of water month-to-month to forestall the bulbs from drying and shriveling.

As soon as spring temperatures return and new progress emerges, transfer them again right into a sunny spot outside to renew progress.

Wholesome Bulbs for Showy Flowers

Amaryllis are appreciated for his or her massive, showy flowers as indoor winter ornamentals and so they’re excellent within the backyard as nicely!

In frost free areas, they stunning a lot take care of themselves. However you could want to maneuver container vegetation right into a rain shadow if heavy winter rains are regular.

For those who obtain mild frosts, they are often left in-ground however must be planted deeply and mulched closely for defense.

For areas exterior of their hardiness vary, they are often moved right into a frost free website to overwinter and bloom once more in spring.

How do you of us deal with tropical backyard bulbs like amaryllis over winter? Tell us within the feedback part beneath.

And for extra details about rising amaryllis, try these guides subsequent: