TGIF! It is a beautiful day in Pennsylvania! The high today is 45 degrees. So much for the almanac’s prediction that January and February would be brutally cold in the Northeast. (Ok, I probably just jinked us.) But happy to have a lovely weekend upon us. This makes me dream of spring and bulbs. Meanwhile I’m trying to save my Christmas amaryllis bulbs!
Have you ever tried to save and regrow amaryllis or paper white bulbs? I haven’t until this year. I purchased my amaryllis bulbs from our grocery store for $5 each. And as promised, they bloomed right at Christmas and they were spectacular!
I researched how to prolong the blooms and found if you cut the stalks away from the bulbs and put them in water they would last longer. And they lasted for almost 2 weeks! Beautiful, yes? They hardly look real in their perfection.
After I cut the beautiful flowers I was left with the sad looking bulbs and stalks. At this point I was tempted to toss them since they looked so poorly. (and they were only $5) But, I decided to give them a chance.
So, I cut the limp stalks away about an inch from the bulb per the online instructions. Already an improvement!
And after a few weeks, here is how the bulbs are faring. I don’t have a good track record of growing healthy house plants and this may be proof. Apparently my house plants have a 50/50 chance of survival. One bulb seems to be thriving and the other reluctant to come out of hibernation.
Can I keep these plants alive and actually have them bloom again? We will see. I understand you are supposed to keep the bulbs watered and in a sunny spot until it is warm enough to set them outside. They are currently in my front window. Then you fertilize and water until September and cease feeding and only water once a week. In October stop all watering and bring them inside and place in a cold dark area. Ignore them for 2 months. (that part will be easy for me.) Then you can start watering and see growth. Fingers crossed! I’m going to give it a try.
Thanks for stopping by and hope you have a wonderful weekend! God bless! xoxo Dell