Yes it’s that time of year again when, with fortitude and determination, we attempt to get our amaryllis bulbs to flower for Christmas week.
Are you up for the challenge?
Unless you’ve over-summered your amaryllis, you’ll need to buy some NOW. In terms of quality and price you probably can’t beat Lidl. Their amaryllis bulbs came into stock on 30 October (£3.99), so get your coat on and get down there! (There are other suppliers, Farmer Gracy is usually good for these.)
Once you have your bulb/s (they look great planted in threes) here’s what to do:
Plant them in a pot just big enough for the bulb/s and no more. They only need 1-2 inches wider than the diameter of the bulb for healthy growth.
The soil or grit should be well-draining to prevent root rot. Make sure there is a couple of inches of soil/grit beneath the bulb, and that about a third of the bulb is above the soil line. Water right after planting, ensuring the excess moisture is draining, and then leave it alone until you see the green growth emerge.
Amaryllis bulbs need bright, indirect light and an ideal temperature for successful forcing, typically around 70-75℉. They don’t need any fertiliser. Rotate the pot every few days to keep the stems growing straight. If they’re too comfortable they’ll race up which you don’t really want as you’re looking for a strong, straight stem.
You can slow them down a bit by moving them to a cooler room or speed them up by placing them in a warm, sunny sport.
The challenge is: Can you get them to flower bang on Christmas week?
We’ll be sharing pics of our attempts as they grow and hope you’ll share yours with us.
On Saturday 20 December we’ll feature images of all your fantastic Christmas amaryllis achievements.
Join us in the annual nail biter – it’s not as easy as you might think, as you can see from Caroline’s Facebook post last year!
Good luck!
