We were given this Amaryllis several years ago by our friend Terry (St Theresa of the Floral Tribute), and every year, just before Easter, it throws up these extraordinary flowers.
The flowers are gaudy yet spectacular; and although in some ways I quite like them, they look completely alien in our cottage.
They're not at all sympathetic to our rustic cluttered environment, nor are they suited to our unsophisticated life-styles. But there they are, performing like Spanish Flamenco dancers every Easter, and demanding our attention.
The enormous bulb has been in the same small ugly black plastic pot since it arrived. Should it now be re-potted, or do I follow my own advice of 'if it ain't broke don't try to fix it'?
Any Amaryllis advice warmly welcomed.
28 comments:
They do like to be crowded in a pot, up to you!
There hardly seems any room for the soil.
My grandmother grew them outdoors, in mixed flower borders, and they bloomed every summer without the least bit of care. Yours are very pretty!
If you don't like the "ugly black plastic pot" why not put the whole lot into a more attractive outer pot.
Btw it is a lovely flower. Would look great on my outside bench.
"Performing like Spanish Flamenco dancers..". Ha, love that!
I hate the things a lazy Christmas present IMHO
I was given a couple of bulbs some years ago, and after they flowered I followed the advice online, which was to let them die back, then put the bulbs in the fridge for several months….however, when I took them out again they had gone to mush, so I would just carry on doing what you have been if it works! You could find a nice outer pot for them though…to complement the flower colour.
Very phallic looking to me. I could have done with something else in the photograph to give me an idea of scale. However I would move it in amongst the clutter rather than standing alone as it is.
I had 2 in my garden and they disapeared few years ago, i dont know why and where.
When they've finished flowering, I just cut the top off. Otherwise they look stupid.
I should have put my knife in the photo.
Probably eaten by Mice.
p.s. It normally lives amongst clutter; it was just there for the photo.
I adore them, but then we have very tall rooms whereas yours looks as though it is almost touching the ceiling, so see what you mean.
Frankly, I have never kept one longer that the one year it flowers, so if it is doing well each year I would leave it well alone. Did you know it is also called the Jersey Lily?
I was going to suggest the knife. I am sure it looks better amongst clutter and blends in.
I put it on the kitchen work top just for the photo the 'ceiling' is actually the underneath of the wall mounted cupboards.
I've heard of Jersey Lilies, but didn't know that it was the same thing.
Never had an amaryllis flower a second time. Congratulations.
I was shocked to see a flower on your blog as I have come to know you as, "if you can't eat it, it has no purpose."
If you want to repot it, wait till the bloom is gone.
It probably enjoys being mistreated. I'm sure this is its 4th or 5th year.
I may have it on toast later!
Obviously, the plant likes you! I have never had any luck with amarylis, nor am I particularly fond of them. But, agree.the blossom is quite beautiful.
I have no advice as I've never had any amaryllis. But, looking out on my late winter landscape, where we've got at least a foot of snow (30.5 cm) on the ground, i'd be glad for such vibrant colour.
Cutting the flower off when it dies is a good start because it takes energy from the plant if it attempts to go to seed. After that I reduce the watering just enough to hurry dormancy and then store the bulb in a cool dark place such as our wine room or the root cellar. If you store them in the fridge it needs to be warmer than the usual household fridge as this would promote the whole thing turning to mush. I usually store mine only because during storage it is one less potted plant for me to take care of.
I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with Amarylis ….. they are very beautiful but a bit too ' showy ' for me.
….. but, yours seems to love what you are doing so I say, leave well alone !! XXXX
I think we both have the same view of them. This morning all 4 flowers are out, and it looks crazy.
Traditionally they are in the shops here at Xmas so I think of them as winter plants. Attractive in the right setting. Not if you have cats though as part of Lilly family
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