holiday bulb care
We offer paperwhite and amaryllis bulbs at our holiday pop-up events. Discover how to care for your new bulbs and keep your plants beautiful all through winter and beyond!
amaryllis care
the ultimate holiday season flower!
Amaryllis are ideal for indoor growing, they also do very well in the ground in warmer areas (zone 9-11). Properly cared for, Amaryllis plants can live for 75 years!
Around 6-10 weeks before your intended blooming time, fill a sturdy pot (with drainage hole) two inches wider and a few inches taller than the bulb with well draining soil.
Place the Amaryllis in the pot with their pointy end up and cover them with soil, but make sure 1” of the pointy end remains uncovered.
Water well.
Place the pot in a sunny location, like a windowsill. Make sure to rotate the pot daily so the Amaryllis won’t start leaning over to one side.
When new green growth appears it’s time to start watering again, but just to keep the soil moist, not water logged.
After the Amaryllis have bloomed don’t cut off the foliage. Leave it until it’s completely withered and yellow, then remove.
amaryllis blooms
tips to get your amaryllis to re-bloom
Your Amaryllis will enjoy being outside during the warmer summer months. The broad leaves will soak up the sunshine and you can fertilize it along with your other summer flowers. When it is time to bring in your houseplants (starting to freeze) inside, bring in your Amaryllis. You can put your plant in a cool, dark place such as a garage. During this time the leaves will wither and and yellow and you can eventually pull them off. The bulb is now chilling and sleeping. When the weather warms up again, you can bring the bulb inside to start the process over again or bring it outside when chances of frost is over along with your other house plants that enjoy warmer months outdoors.
amaryllis blooms
tips to get your amaryllis to re-bloom
Your Amaryllis will enjoy being outside during the warmer summer months. The broad leaves will soak up the sunshine and you can fertilize it along with your other summer flowers. When it is time to bring in your houseplants (starting to freeze) inside, bring in your Amaryllis. You can put your plant in a cool, dark place such as a garage. During this time the leaves will wither and and yellow and you can eventually pull them off. The bulb is now chilling and sleeping. When the weather warms up again, you can bring the bulb inside to start the process over again or bring it outside when chances of frost is over along with your other house plants that enjoy warmer months outdoors.
caring for your paperwhites
fragrant, winter-blooming flowers- a holiday favorite!
Paperwhites can be planted in soil, more commonly they are grown in pots or dishes with some stones to anchor them in place and a little water.
Select a container that is at least 3” – 4” deep and that has no drainage holes.
Spread an inch or 2 of small stones or clean gravel along the bottom of the container.
Position your Paperwhite bulb, pointed end up, on top of the stone layer. Go ahead and squeeze them in. They not only look better in a large group, the tight fit will help keep them from toppling over.
Add another layer of stones to fill in any gaps and cover the bulbs up to their shoulders. The pointed tips should still be showing.
Add water so that the level just reaches the base of the bulbs. Allowing the bottom of the bulb (roots) to sit in water will stimulate growth. Covering the entire bulb with water could cause it to rot.
Place your container to a sunny window. The sunnier the better, but try not to let them get too warm or they will grow leggy.
Check your bulbs daily to see if they need more water.
Once the plants flower, they will last longer if moved out of direct sunlight, to a cool spot with indirect or diffused light.
If blossoms start to lean or fall, stake with a stick and some string.
paperwhite blooms
what to do with your paperwhite once it has bloomed
Paperwhites that have been forced in rocks and water generally will not re-bloom again. Once the foliage withers that is the end of the bulb. It has used all of its energy to flower in the water. If you plant your Paperwhite bulbs in soil, do not cut the foliage until it withers and turns yellow. The bulb pulls in energy from the sun through its leaves. Place the pot in a cool dark place to chill and rest during the winter, return the pot to the outdoors when it starts to warm up and resume watering. Paperwhites that have not been forced can be planted in the garden in the Fall, like one would plant Daffodils which are also in the Narcissus family.
paperwhite blooms
what to do with your paperwhite once it has bloomed
Paperwhites that have been forced in rocks and water generally will not re-bloom again. Once the foliage withers that is the end of the bulb. It has used all of its energy to flower in the water. If you plant your Paperwhite bulbs in soil, do not cut the foliage until it withers and turns yellow. The bulb pulls in energy from the sun through its leaves. Place the pot in a cool dark place to chill and rest during the winter, return the pot to the outdoors when it starts to warm up and resume watering. Paperwhites that have not been forced can be planted in the garden in the Fall, like one would plant Daffodils which are also in the Narcissus family.
