How to Overwinter Amaryllis Bulbs

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

The big, trumpet-shaped blooms flower in shiny, saturated hues and are generally compelled to bloom indoors throughout the winter months, however open air, 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 break from freezing temperatures.

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

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

We’ve acquired all the small print about how one can 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 spread 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 out there for buy at backyard facilities within the fall, from September by means of December.

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

Amaryllis may be grown open air as perennials in frost-free areas, and as annuals in colder areas.

And to study extra about outside cultivation, try our information to rising amaryllis open air within the backyard.

Care After Flowering

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

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

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

Take care to not overwater, which might 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 throughout the post-flowering interval.

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

A balanced feed system with equal elements nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium works properly.

Burpee Natural All Objective Plant Meals

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

Container vegetation may be fed extra steadily – about each two weeks with a half-strength answer of a water soluble fertilizer.

After the blooms fade, use clear, sharp scissors to take away the flowers and stop seeds from forming. When allowed to develop seeds, it depletes the vitality reserves and might cut back flower manufacturing the next 12 months.

Use clear, sharp shears to chop the stem slightly below the spent bloom, leaving the rest of the flower stalk in place if it’s nonetheless shiny 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 normally enter a dormant interval that lasts three to 4 months.

Right now, the foliage usually turns yellow and dies again for winter, though a number of 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 may 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 minimize it from the bulb with clear, sharp scissors.

For those who stay in an space with delicate winters, the foliage might stay evergreen 12 months spherical. It’s advantageous 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 stop standing water, resembling bark mulch, conifer needles, pebbles, or straw.

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

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

Carry and Retailer

For those who’re rising exterior of their hardiness vary, the cold-tender bulbs must be lifted and saved in a protected atmosphere 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 1 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 carry the bulbs rigorously, gently brushing away any dust that adheres to the floor.

For storage, they are often potted up into small containers or saved free 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 might 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 quite a lot of bulbs as they’re lifted from the backyard.

Woven Jute Containers

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

To switch bulbs to small nursery pots for storage, trim the roots then place them in pots which can be 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.

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

Retailer in a cool, darkish, and dry atmosphere. The best temperature is within the vary of 40 to 50°F, they usually’ll be advantageous 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.

Nevertheless, they do have a dormancy interval, and funky, however not chilly, temperatures assist them to relaxation – they could survive the mistreatment of fridge storage, however they received’t be comfortable about it and decreased flowering may 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 atmosphere 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 lightweight contact of water – however not more than just some 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 – normally one or two purposes is adequate.

Retailer bulbs for at least eight weeks and as a lot as 12 weeks, an extended relaxation interval produces extra ample flowering.

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

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 usually till late within the rising season.

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

However in the event you obtain a number of winter rainfall, transfer your pots right into a sheltered spot or rain shadow in order that they’re not continually 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 stop 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 calmly and provides them solely small sips of water, simply sufficient to stop 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 completely for an additional two to 6 weeks.

Take away the foliage because it withers and dies, chopping it again to 1 to 2 inches.

Transfer containers right into a frost free atmosphere 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 stop the bulbs from drying and shriveling.

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

Wholesome Bulbs for Showy Flowers

Amaryllis are appreciated for his or her giant, showy flowers as indoor winter ornamentals they usually’re very good within the backyard as properly!

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

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

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 people deal with tropical backyard bulbs like amaryllis over winter? Tell us within the feedback part under.

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

Photograph by Lorna Kring © Ask the Consultants, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for extra particulars. Product pictures by way of Burpee and Wayfair. Uncredited pictures: Shutterstock.